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G'day Ian
Following the comments received, and
in the knowledge that this Forum is viewed by plenty of high profile individuals
with plenty of horsepower ... sorry L/D ... in the GFA and elsewhere, I
have decided to float my suggestion here and risk getting shot down here by my
peers.
This suggestions relates to the
Marketing of Soaring and the growth of the Membership and I have looked hard at
what has been the thrust of promotion over recent months.
I accept that the "It's cheap and
it's safe" in a Club based structure is a valid way to sell the sport (although
it can readily be argued that it is neither), however I know of a number of
associates who were not happy when they tried the Club based learning
and flying structure ... and who then left and bought a GA aircraft. These were
guys who had the money available to buy a new Sailplane but ended up sending
that money to Cessna.
I say that the GFA should continue
with their present campaign ..... BUT should consider a parallel campaign aimed
at successful business executives who are interested in aviation and who are
looking for a thrill.
THRILL ??? I hear you
say.
One of the problems that "Gliding"
has is that it is perceived by the uninitiated (& even by some of the
initiated) as short duration local flying in an older ship with a CFI
constantly riding you. That and the use of Club owned Gliders is attractive to
people who want a cheap and safe sport, however that is part of the problem why
not many or enough new ships are coming onto the Australian Register ... and the
existing fleet is ageing.
I say that the GFA want new members
who can readily afford the sport and many of whom can buy their own new or near
new ship .... and that type will want or demand to get going with X-Country
flying as soon as it is safely possible.
That type of person is most probably
going to want to get his training done quickly in a professional atmosphere and
many would be frustrated and discontent in the traditional Club
atmosphere.
My suggestion is therefore that the
GFA consider a very slick and professional promotion to Business Executives (I
favour a series of great & professionally designed bi-monthly colour adverts
in business magazines), with the key points being that we are offering
"Cross-Country Soaring" (not just "local Gliding"), that "Cross-Country Soaring"
offers the ultimate Aviation & Intellectual Challenge, yet it is not
difficult to do, that there are Professional Instruction establishments (as well
as the Clubs) where the attendee can go solo within a week and within $2,500 if
they have any natural ability for the sport, and that they can be flying
Cross-Country within a week or 2 of going solo.
In short, the GFA should be selling
to these people that a proven method exists to "fast-track" them into
Cross-Country flying and the GFA should direct them to the few training
establishments that offer live-in training and a suitable fleet for them to
progress their flying after going solo.
I suggest that this 2nd prong to the
GFA's marketing approach has potential to attract new members who are the most
likely to invest in new machines and if successful this will give the GFA a kick
along (and not a kick in the pants) ...... and I say that
a professionally generated promotion based on a quick path
to "Cross-Country Soaring" (rather than this being the end goal of an
18 month Club training program) has the potential to rejuvenate ... or further
juvenate ... the entire scene.
NOW ........... please advise ......
where have I got it wrong?
Regards Geoff
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