Gliders at Oskosh

If you really want to generate interest, you should do some winch launch
demonstrations.

Mike Schumann

wrote in message
oups.com...
I come from the homebuilder ranks and if the idea is to attract new
blood to the sport of gliding from EAA members ....Then I think they
made an excelent choice of gliders to display. Most of the "purests"
already are involved in the sport. If you are pitching the sport to
the general public to attract non-aviation types then a more "pure"
craft might make sense.

IMHO there is a large untapped market among EAA and part 103 fliers
that would really enjoy the challange and economy of a reasonably
efficent motorglider. They just haven't been exposed to that branch of
aviation, or have been scared off by the "purests" with their big
expensive high performance glass. Soaring/gliding really is a fairly
well kept secret and even harder to get started in (in many parts of
this country) than general or experimental aviation.
======================
Leon McAtee

I second that.

Bill Daniels

"Mike Schumann" wrote in message
hlink.net...
If you really want to generate interest, you should do some winch launch
demonstrations.

Mike Schumann

wrote in message
oups.com...
I come from the homebuilder ranks and if the idea is to attract new
blood to the sport of gliding from EAA members ....Then I think they
made an excelent choice of gliders to display. Most of the "purests"
already are involved in the sport. If you are pitching the sport to
the general public to attract non-aviation types then a more "pure"
craft might make sense.

IMHO there is a large untapped market among EAA and part 103 fliers
that would really enjoy the challange and economy of a reasonably
efficent motorglider. They just haven't been exposed to that branch of
aviation, or have been scared off by the "purests" with their big
expensive high performance glass. Soaring/gliding really is a fairly
well kept secret and even harder to get started in (in many parts of
this country) than general or experimental aviation.
======================
Leon McAtee

Mike Schumann wrote:
If you really want to generate interest, you should do some winch launch
demonstrations.

My observation is airplane pilots, which covers most of EAA folks, are
not looking for more labor-intensive ways to go flying. Even a towplane
and a tow pilot seems like one more pilot and aircraft than they are
interested in. For airplane oriented pilots, the cost of glider flying
is not the $dollars, but the time involved in doing it. So, how does
winch launching attract this demographic?

--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State USA

www.motorglider.org - Download "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane
Operation"

"Eric Greenwell" wrote in message
...
Mike Schumann wrote:
If you really want to generate interest, you should do some winch launch
demonstrations.

My observation is airplane pilots, which covers most of EAA folks, are not
looking for more labor-intensive ways to go flying. Even a towplane and a
tow pilot seems like one more pilot and aircraft than they are interested
in. For airplane oriented pilots, the cost of glider flying is not the
$dollars, but the time involved in doing it. So, how does winch launching
attract this demographic?

--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State USA

I don't think airplane pilots are that easy to pidgonhole. Obviously some
the the people at Oshcosh are looking for the thrill. Those marginally
interested in gliders will find winch launch exciting.

Bill Daniels

My main interest in winch launching is not saving money (even though that is
a major advantage), but the thrill of getting launched like you were being
shot out of canon. Instead of a boring tow, the launch itself is the
highlight of the ride.

Mike Schumann

"Eric Greenwell" wrote in message
...
Mike Schumann wrote:
If you really want to generate interest, you should do some winch launch
demonstrations.

My observation is airplane pilots, which covers most of EAA folks, are not
looking for more labor-intensive ways to go flying. Even a towplane and a
tow pilot seems like one more pilot and aircraft than they are interested
in. For airplane oriented pilots, the cost of glider flying is not the
$dollars, but the time involved in doing it. So, how does winch launching
attract this demographic?

--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State USA

www.motorglider.org - Download "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane
Operation"

Mike,

Whils I agree that the initial winch launch acceleration
is faster than an aerotow, this is the wrong attitude.
Carried out properly it should not be a shot out of
a cannon. It is a simple safe and reliable alternative
way to get airborne.

If its cheap thrills you want go to Disney Land.
If it is gliding thrills then learn the proper way
to do aerobatics

Dave Martin

t 06:42 12 February 2006, Mike Schumann wrote:
My main interest in winch launching is not saving money
(even though that is
a major advantage), but the thrill of getting launched
like you were being
shot out of canon. Instead of a boring tow, the launch
itself is the
highlight of the ride.

Mike Schumann

'Eric Greenwell' wrote in message
...
Mike Schumann wrote:
If you really want to generate interest, you should
do some winch launch
demonstrations.

My observation is airplane pilots, which covers most
of EAA folks, are not
looking for more labor-intensive ways to go flying.
Even a towplane and a
tow pilot seems like one more pilot and aircraft than
they are interested
in. For airplane oriented pilots, the cost of glider
flying is not the
$dollars, but the time involved in doing it. So, how
does winch launching
attract this demographic?

--
Change 'netto' to 'net' to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State USA

www.motorglider.org - Download 'A Guide to Self-launching
Sailplane
Operation'

Is this exhibit at OSH going to be an outside booth, with the gliders
right there? If so, then I think it is about time! I was harping about
this several years ago; that there was very little soaring presence at
the biggest aviation event on the planet. But that was before the
regime change in Hobbs, hopefully soaring can increase its visibility
by having a nice display with all sorts of gliders. What exact types
are almost immaterial, but a motorglider, a 15m, a homebuilt and a
vintage (my favorite) would certainly cover the bases. In fact I'd be
willing to bring a Scheibe or Fournier motorglider if I could actually
find one to buy...
This is a good thing!
Ryan Wubben
Co-Chairman, Flight Line Operations, EAA OSH
N8452X-Cessna 172, and former Ka-6CR owner, dormant glider pilot.
Madison, WI

wrote:

Is this exhibit at OSH going to be an outside booth, with the gliders
right there? If so, then I think it is about time! I was harping about
this several years ago; that there was very little soaring presence at
the biggest aviation event on the planet. But that was before the
regime change in Hobbs, hopefully soaring can increase its visibility
by having a nice display with all sorts of gliders. What exact types
are almost immaterial, but a motorglider, a 15m, a homebuilt and a
vintage (my favorite) would certainly cover the bases. In fact I'd be
willing to bring a Scheibe or Fournier motorglider if I could actually
find one to buy...
This is a good thing!

Don't be bashful about contacting Ian Cant, the fellow I've been talking
with, or the Anne (haven't met her), the other person listed as the
contact for the event. Ian is enthusiastic about the event and there is
still time to influence the event at this point.


--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA

www.motorglider.org - Download "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane
Operation"

I have been ask to give a soaring presentation at the February meeting of
the local EAA chapter. Do any of you have a "PowerPoint" presentation that
you are willing to share? (No need to re-invent the wheel.) If so, I will
gladly accept them as an email attachment.

Wayne
HP-14 N990 "6F"
http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder/HP-14/N990/N990.html

I'd suggest that you read the description on tthe SRA home page and start
form there. The SRA has done the best job of describing performance soaring
that I know of. http://sailplane-racing.org/

Then, I'd consider using a SeeYou 3D animation of a spectacular flight from
the OLC. I've done that and you can almost hear the thuds of jaws hitting
the floor. SeeYou + OLC is a VERY effective selling tool with a huge WOW!
factor. The audience really 'gets' it when they see the 3D animation.

Bill Daniels

"Wayne Paul" wrote in message
...
I have been ask to give a soaring presentation at the February meeting of
the local EAA chapter. Do any of you have a "PowerPoint" presentation
that
you are willing to share? (No need to re-invent the wheel.) If so, I
will
gladly accept them as an email attachment.

Wayne
HP-14 N990 "6F"
http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder/HP-14/N990/N990.html