On Thu, 24 Mar 2005 07:00:25 +1000, Robert Hart wrote: >I believe that the ex-glider pilot group is one to which we should >be marketing.
>From the work that has been done at some clubs and within one region in 'exit surveying' glider pilots leaving the sport, the problems have been to get truthful answers. The responses were more in the 'nice' form - 'family commitments', etc. It was impossible to get a sample that gave valid data on cost or access or failure to meet expectations and what these might be as barriers to participation. This scatter was overlaid by the 'noise' of consumers seeking best price - 'that other club is cheaper' where the pilot then didn't shift to the other club, but exited the sport. (the other club was further away, the ambit claim was more for the home club to lower its fees) There is a belief, but without backing evidence, that exiting glider pilots fit into the following categories - - young people moving into career development or family formation phases of their life; where it is hoped they will return once established. And some do. But the ROI is so poor (1 in 300 trainees) that I exited that field after 15 years in it. - And I am still contacted on a regular cycle by a number of ex-glider pilots (between 30 and 60 in age) with 'let me know when you're flying next; 'cause I want to come out to get back into gliding'; but after a dozen offers of mid week and weekend days declined by them because of 'family commitments' I stop offering. - there are ex-glider pilots who found that wearing the flight jacket just doesn't pull the birds at the party the way it did in past generations - that there are a group of ex-glider pilots who were alienated from the sport by its archaic structure giving little flying for large time investment against a background of family quality time demands on them. The last group would need to be reassured that the gliding they want is available on demand with the sport providing the current generation fleet, surround social scene, ground facilities and support, ease of access to equipment which makes the place attractive both for their own flying and not to be embarrassed to bring their friends. The embarrassment comes in diverse forms: the untidy facilities (no where to sit out of the heat) and fleet, the access restrictions which make them look bad in front of their friends (public critique of their status to type rating, check flight, flight list placing, aircraft not actually available when booked). The practical problems that this raises for the sport are: - the capital costs and at what the charge levels would have to be set - the possibility that we need to accept a higher prang rate in return for giving people less onerous access to the sport. (Callers for passenger flights still include sizeable numbers that assume they will be given a single seater to go off and play in just as seen on TV) In one club structure where all the support was offered if the pilot came with their own glider (to cover the prang rate issue), the response was outrage because exiting glider pilots feel the sport should continue to offer everything at traditional charges as in the past; just add in the professional ground staff and adequate numbers of current generation equipment at no extra charge to meet their expectations. >From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Wed, 23 Mar 2005 15:15:43 +1030 From: Emilis Prelgauskas <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: P & W <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> X-Mailer: PocoMail 2.64 (1133) - Licensed Version X-Account: My Account Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 15:15:43 +1030 In-Reply-To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: List as requested Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Status: RQ On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 21:52:26 +1030, P & W wrote: >Please find attached the list we spoke of >Regards P&W > With my thanks, a copy of your list will go to Chris bailey, and I'll use the contacts for the documents issue for the first 4 main trades (plumbing, site work, concrete, timber frame) _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list [email protected] To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring
