I think the main problem with dropouts is that people decide to start
soaring with insufficient information about the requirements and/or
insufficient thought about what the process will demand from them. Part
of this stems from the fact that the clubs don't want to scare off
prospective members, while other parts of it are due to wishful
thinking and even outright laziness on the part of the prospect.

Perhaps we should sell soaring more like the military special forces
sell themselves to potential recruits: people know going in that
it's very tough, and that most won't make it. The elitism, of
course, present problems of its own, but the special forces don't
seem to lack recruits. Another time honored way is to treat family
members, good friends and neighbors to an orientation flight, and then
closely mentor them through the difficult learning phase if they show
true interest in flying.

In my case I was willing to endure practically anything to become a
pilot, due to my dreams, temperament and family history. Need to wait
for good weather? No problem. Need to study hard to pass the FAA
written exam? No problem. Need to make lots of flights to master the
various required flight skills due to being middle aged? No problem. I
didn't need a mentor, and I didn't mind the monetary or time costs.

Obviously, I don't have an answer to the problem. What I do know is
that the number of pilots in the US are dropping year by year. Most
people who show up at a glider port are not as single minded as me, and
creative means must be devised to attract new pilots to the sport.

-John