Jet Sailplane Racing League

Sailplanes CAN draw big crowds and lots of media attention. At my
last airshow, I flew before a crowd of 180,000. Lots of media
coverage. I'm scheduled to fly 5 days at Oshkosh this year. By the
end of the 2011 airshow season, literally millions of people will have
been exposed to sailplane flying. I've tried to get SSA to work with
me to promote soaring at the airshows I attend. I've never been able
to get any cooperation. At last year's SSA convention, it was
announced that SSA's goal was something like 120 new members
nationwide this year. On a good airshow weekend, we could approach
that number of new SSA members daily. It would take some real
marketing effort on the part of all participants to sell soaring.
We'd need a good hook and some professional salesmen. The announcer
would need the information on the local soaring clubs, then the local
club would need to offer a exciting experience in a modern sailplane
(no Schweitzers, please). Hook them for a one year SSA membership,
then get some modern aircraft in the magazine (again, no Schweitzers).

This year, I also filmed for our local TV news (three mornings of
shooting, with their helicopter), History Channel, Discovery Canada,
Discovery Australia and the new Discovery 3-D - all at their request.
The jet sailplanes have appeared in hundreds of magazines worldwide.

Yes, I realize that flying low-level aerobatics in a jet sailplane
isn't 'real' soaring any more than driving around a circle at 150 MPH
isn't 'real' driving, but there is a reason every car manufacturer
sponsors racing. It sells the excitement of their product, even
though most people will actually buy the mini-van.

Jet sailplane racing? Crazy! Ridiculous! Stupid! But it could be
just what our sport needs to capture public attention, recruit new
members and remain viable.

BC

Bob,
You articulated the thought and dream very well! Keep up the great
work promoting the wonderful sport of soaring through your very
effective non-soaring methods. I love the bonus jet!
John Ackerson