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In article ,
Mxsmanic wrote: A continuation rate of 0.26%--not very encouraging. An interesting article: http://www.flyingmag.com/blogs/flyin...g-eagles-becom e-pilots As a teen student who gave up on lessons before getting my rating (and took up gliders about 10 years later, with great success), it seems to me that targeting teenagers is mostly not a good move. I don't claim to be representative, but here's my abbreviated story. I took my intro ride when I was 11 or 12. Continued lessons on a mostly regular but somewhat infrequent (generally once a month) basis. Soloed at 16, and then not long after I quit. Looking back, I think the main reason I quit was that it was an incredible amount of responsibility that I wasn't really ready for at the time, and the rewards just weren't enough. This produced a lot of anxiety. I remember that I really liked flying, but on my way to each lesson I'd get anxious and worried and partially hope that the weather would be too poor to fly. When I was about 13 we moved, and the nearest place to get instruction was a class D airport. Like a lot of teenagers, I didn't like public speaking and thus had a lot of trouble with the radio. Having to interact with the tower didn't help matters. And then there was the money. While we could afford it, it was a lot of money, and the expense kept me from being able to fly more frequently. Compensating for all of this... well, I could fly. That was neat! But not a huge practical value. Driving a car involved responsibility and expense too (although less of each), but also came with tremendous rewards in terms of being able to go to stores, restaurants, movie theaters, friends' houses, etc. Flying, I could... travel places where I could also drive. Fast forward about ten years and I check out glider flying. After living as an independent adult for a decade, the responsibility factor was no big deal. Radio anxiety was gone. Money was not even remotely a problem. And I had a lot more time on my hands, so the appeal was greater, and the ability to take more intensive instruction was greater. Furthermore, I was Just Another Guy in a great group of guys in my club with whom I get along great, instead of being the Young Kid in a FBO with a few strange folk. The sense of community helped a lot. I think that giving rids to teens is a great idea, BUT you shouldn't expect a high continuation rate at all. Your goal should be to plant a seed which can sprout years later, when that teen has turned into an independent adult with means and time and is starting to look into expanding their activities. Worked for me, anyway.... -- Mike Ash Radio Free Earth Broadcasting from our climate-controlled studios deep inside the Moon |
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