On May 15, 7:30*am, Bob wrote:
I am trying to get a handle on the number of active soaring pilots in
the US for some statistical studies. In 2003 John Roake from New
Zeeland stated in a table he developed that the number was 29390. He
also stated that the FAA and SSA numbers were not representative. I am
looking for ideas on how to firm up these numbers so they make sense.
The SSA membership numbers were less than half the developed numbers.
I know that you don't have to be a member of the SSA to be a soaring
pilot in the US but to claim that half the soaring pilots in the US do
not fly at established sites seems a fair stretch. Any ideas?

Bob

I'm trying to get a reliable count of glider pilots as well. Here's
some things to think about.

Until recently the FAA determined if you were an active pilot by
whether you hold a medical certificate. That played havoc with
counting active glider pilots who aren't required to have one.

A large minority of glider certificate holders are just "rating
collectors" who will probably never fly a glider again after getting
their rating but are counted in the FAA numbers as "glider pilots".

Some fraction of SSA members no longer fly but maintain their
membership for the magazine. A fairly large number - perhaps half -
of active glider pilots are not SSA members. The non-SSA member
pilots probably fly with glider FBO's since most, but not all, clubs
are SSA chapters with SSA insurance.

All of the above make it hard to come up with a reliable number of
'active' pilots. At least, we have to agree on what 'active' means.
One fairly consistent number is that ~ 50% of dues paying club members
and glider FBO customers will have flown at least once in the past 12
months.

Lets get together by email to exchange numbers.

Bill Daniels
Chairman, SSA Growth and Development Committee