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Old June 5th 20, 05:30 AM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Patrick (LS6-b EH)
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Default Fly Deliberately. Fly Tasks - Proving Grounds

Over the past few years at my gliding club (Cu Nim, Calgary Alberta), we’ve developed an XC development framework that in 2019 spread across Canada. Now we’re looking to share its success to clubs around the world (French and English speaking at this point).

The problem is the same for many of us. Members come in, but don’t stick around - post solo or license. The tenured XC pilots absorb all the praise and speak in a strange language which a local thermalling pilot can’t connect to - then they leave.

Users of this forum appreciate the thrill of task flying, of maximizing the value of the day. New pilot’s can only imagine, and if they can’t realize that dream, they leave. Some clubs have strategies to bridge the gap, most don’t. Even for clubs that do, these programs require time of already burdened members.

The Proving Grounds is different. Once configured (3 tasks, basic rules and en route airports) no member intervention is required. Pilots attempt tasks, email their trace to the club bot, and record their results on Top Gear inspired magnetic ranking boards.

We think it would be amazing if gliding clubs around the world utilized this as a core part of their development. That pilots travelling between clubs could learn the local terrain and leave their “Paul was here” mark on a task board.

This is a task flying initiative - A bit about the tasks.

1) Standard tasks create a common language and known landmarks to help create a supportive XC culture for novice pilots
2) Task names are relatable, listing turnpoints is a code for the secret society which decidedly excludes novice pilots
3) A local task is accessible to all - time builders/pre-XC, or XC pilots not willing to leave the local area on a weak day or instructors extending a training flight
4) Medium and large tasks build on each other so that if you fail on the large task, the medium task is still available

The beautiful trophies (stainless steel and etched task boards) will evolve to become fixtures in your club as the Proving Grounds becomes the primary enablement program to develop XC pilots and retain new members.

We’re looking to introduce the platform to 20 additional clubs in 2020.

The cost is effectively cost recovery on the trophy kit (3 stainless steel task boards, 50 magnetic slips, laminated task sheets and miscellaneous items), and about the cost of a 2000’ tow per year for maintenance and support.

We have capacity to equip 20 clubs who choose to proceed in 2020, and want to offer a revised fee structure interested in deploying a solution (prices in USD):
- Year 1: Shipping (~$35) + 1/3 the cost of the kit ($35) + the annual fee ($40) = $110
- Year 2: 1/3 the cost of the kit ($35) + the annual fee ($40) = $75
- Year 3: 1/3 the cost of the kit ($35) + the annual fee ($40) = $75
- Year 4+: the annual fee = $40

If this creates one multi-year member, it will pay for itself 10x every year!

When I flew a task with a student and he was holding back tears completing the ranking slip, that’s when I knew that this fully autonomous tool was the most powerful member development initiative I’ve seen in my 20 years of soaring.*

Canadian clubs (the few that have not yet taken action) still have the opportunity for the kit and 3 years of service at no charge to the club thanks to the support of the Soaring Association of Canada. We think this is the best approach and welcome discussions to this end at any time from any national association or federation.

Since, we’re already “1/2 way through” the 2020 season, the next 10 clubs who start this process, we’re prepared to waive the service fee for 2020.

I’ll be speaking about the platform on SOSA’s ‘Hangar Flying’ this weekend (June 6th) if you’re interested or have questions. You may need to know someone from SOSA to get the link to the webinar.

If you want to test it out, check out this link (http://ow.ly/NUXb50zZulx), I’ve included:
- A successful task file - download and email the .igc to “cunim @ soaringtasks.com" to experience the submission process
- Cu Nim’s ‘Task Sheets’ - laminated versions of these are in all club gliders (and many private gliders) at the club for easy, long term reference
- Photo of the trophy kit
- Promotional slide deck you might share along with these resources to compel your colleagues to act

Fly tasks, love soaring!

www.soaringtasks.com