A proposal to increase membership, cross-country pilots, competitors,and world champions (USA).

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.