RE: [Aus-soaring] Soaring training

[Derek Ruddock]

2 hours? No, but if *every* flight is a launch to 3000 feet followed by a long soaring flight, the time to solo is going to be a tad more than 2 hours   I was membership secretary of my club for 6 years, and took the trouble to ring every member that did not renew, to discover why they had stopped. In all that time, I never received an answer that they did not do enough soaring. A large majority did feel that they were making no progress, and that is what we should be addressing.   -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Matthew Gage Sent: Friday, 17 February 2006 7:04 PM To: 'Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia.'; 'Tom Wilksch' Subject: RE: [Aus-soaring] Soaring training   I don't think he did - but I think you might be !   If we condition ab-initios to think that going solo is the main priority, when they get there, there is a good chance many will say "well I've done that, now for the next challenge" - the "fun" hasn't really begun yet, so we don't have them totally hooked !   If going solo is viewed as just a required stepping stone to the "real" thing, then keeping people should be easier - they haven't "done it" yet.   Does it really matter if someone takes 2 hours longer to get solo than they could have if it means they have experienced more of what is available in the process ?   From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Derek Ruddock Sent: Friday, 17 February 2006 09:07 To: Tom Wilksch; Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. Subject: RE: [Aus-soaring] Soaring training I think you missed the point. XC soaring is obviously the end goal for most, if not all committed glider pilots, but we are talking about ab-initio pilots here Endless soaring flight will not prepare a student for solo     -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tom Wilksch Sent: Thursday, 16 February 2006 4:53 PM To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] Soaring training   That does rather depend on how you definie value for money.  I think most of us would consider value for money to be XC flying not doing circuits.  So somewhere the value for money perception changes.   Tom ----- Original Message ----- From: Derek Ruddock To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2006 2:32 PM Subject: RE: [Aus-soaring] Soaring training   I believe it is important to strike a balance: I fully remember my first hour long flight when we flew what seemed like a vast distance away (Milton Keynes), and flew back to Dunstable at 120knots. However, a large number of pilots never finish their training, and I think this is because there is perhaps too much emphasis on soaring (and, dare I say, the instructor having fun) rather than on circuits. Concentrating on circuits is probably far more productive in the long term: it is easier to teach a solo pilot to thermal than teaching a pre-solo pilot who can thermal to take off and land. Let’s face it, going solo is a significant target for all ab-initio’s. Note that I am not advocating flying circuits to the exclusion of thermalling, just that, with the exception of one or two extended flights, that the student will achieve better value for money,  if his training is concentrated on safe landings.      -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Future Aviation Pty. Ltd. Sent: Sunday, 12 February 2006 11:32 AM To: aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net Subject: [Aus-soaring] Soaring training   Good morning all!   Most of you will know that proper soaring training is an issue very close to my heard.   I tend to think that the poor retention rate in gliding is to a large extend due to the fact that we let our new recruits sort out the soaring aspect on their own. After having gone solo too many of them experience problems keeping a glider airborne. The result is regular set-backs and disappointments and before much longer many of our new aviators vote with their feet.   The teaching of thermalling seems to be rather low on the list of priorities during basic training in Australia. In some clubs it appears to be regarded as a post solo subject, if it is tackled at all.   Could you help me by providing some feedback?   1) How is your club handling the issue of soaring training? 2) Roughly what percentage of new recruits are leaving without ever enjoying     a cross-country flight or seeing the full potential of our marvellous sport? 3) Do members of this newsgroup think that we can lift the retention rate by     providing better pre-solo soaring training?   I appreciate that this is a rather sensitive issue and fully understand that you mightn’t want to express your views and opinions publicly. Therefore, please feel free to submit your thoughts and comments directly to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]   I can assure everyone to treat all replies confidentially.   Many thanks for your input.   Bernard Eckey RTO (S) for SA & NT 10 Antigua Grove West Lakes 5021 Adelaide / South Australia Ph/Fax +61 8 8449 2871 mobile 0412 981204 [EMAIL PROTECTED]     _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list Aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.9/261 - Release Date: 15-02-2006

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