Ten Reasons to Add a Junior Program to Your Glider Club

Is it strange to reply to your own post? Anyway here is the rest of the details that might help get a junior program going.

Critical mass - We have found that you must have a critical mass of 3 or more juniors on the field on a given flying day. That means a club should have a junior program of at least 8-12 young people. I would estimate that 40-50% of those that start will solo and this would vary with instructor availability. Encourage kids to sign up with a friend.

Ownership - There must be a way for the young people to own the experience. Give-aways don't work. At Harris Hill junior members work 4 hours for each pre-solo flight. Think of 4 hours at the field instead of 4 hours of continuous work (however, some days it is non-stop.) If you think of $5/hour for their time, they have nearly as much as a senior member invested in a flight. The more you link the work with the flying, the more they own the experience. Post-solo the juniors pay more for each flight and only have to work two hours per flight.

Pricing - Here are the 2014 prices for a 20 minute 2-33 instructional hop at Harris Hill. Includes 2000' tow, hook up, glider rental, and instructor time (volunteered). These prices are made possible only by selling rides to the public (ASK-21 @ $96) and that ride business becomes a priority at times - which can be a pain.

Senior member $30.40
Junior post-solo $16.20
Junior pre-solo $5.00

You club's costs will be different but here is a good ratio. Post solo juniors pay half of what seniors pay and work 2 hours for each flight. Pre-solo pay a quarter of the full cost and work 4 hours per flight.

Does anyone else have anything to share about their club's junior program? I know UH is doing a great job at Valley Soaring.

XC