On Sunday, August 10, 2014 7:01:29 AM UTC-6, Kevin Brooker wrote:
Money is not the issue. People have plenty of cash to spend on

recreation and discretionary activities. Money is not the barrier to

entry. Look at the ski industry. A one day lift ticket costs more then

a tow, maybe to tows depending upon the ski area and glider operation.

New skis will set the skier back anywhere from $500-2000 depending upon

what they purchase. Look at motorcycling, off road vehicles; pick

something. Most are on-par with soaring or more expensive to begin

participating.



What the sport needs is more time in a day and longer attention spans. I

stopped flying because I didn't have enough time to participate how I

enjoyed it. Soaring is a selfish activity which requires a lot of time.





American's do not have the attention span. How much time is spent

hanging out at the strip compared to flying. If someone is interested in

taking up soaring look at the standing around time to flight/active

participation time ratio. Glider pilots spend a huge volume of time

standing around. By comparison, look at the stand around to

participation in the ski industry.



With gliders we cannot have the complete noob help out in a meaningful

way. Gliders are too expensive and having the "never before touched a

glider" person help us rig a ship doesn't happen. The hands on

participation of newcomers is really low. Instructors /club members talk

and they listen. We talk too much and do too little.



The mindset of people in 2014 is much different then in 1950-2000. To

survive and grow, the soaring (GA too) population has to change its

attitude and methods to capture today's youth. Aviation is trying to

adapt old ways to today and it isn't working. Aviation has to change the

paradigm and change is scary and difficult.



While seeking this new paradigm there will be lots of failures and some

success. What is there to lose by trying? Nothing since what is

happening now isn't working yet the aviation community seems to believe

if they keep going at the status quo it will work. This is a bit like

speaking louder to someone who doesn't understand our language. More

volume will not breed instant fluency.



Beside believing the aviation community should try something new, not

fear failure, and stop pinning the decline on expense, I have no

solutions to offer at this time.









--

Kevin Brooker
True for some Kevin.

I once called a lapsed SSA member to see why he'd dropped out after a year. Turns out he was president of a local Corvette owner's club. He tried soaring for a week, but hadn't soloed and gave it up. His expectation was way out of line. For some it's simply not a good fit. For others, given the chance, it becomes a lifetime pursuit. How do we give them that chance?

Frank Whiteley