[Aus-soaring] Targetting Groups for retention, and my own recriutment, retention story
In my experience, long-term members are people who always wanted to learn how to fly, but never knew they could do it as accessibly as gliding. Kids, sailors and motorcycle riders tend to be disproportionately represented. I think it has been mentioned before, that posters for the local gliding club could be put up at sailing clubs or other represented group. The other group of people to target are those who have been more active in gliding or other aviation related activity in the past. The task would be then to reignite their passion and interest. It would be interesting to know the retention rates of Air Training Corp Cadets. My own experience: I was fascinated with flight ever since I hopped on a TAA T-jet in 1974 (Adelaide to Melbourne flight). As a kid, I built planes out of lego, made a balsa wood and doped paper throw glider, even considered getting into radio controlled stuff. (i.e. I always wanted to learn how to fly) Just before I started Uni, my Dad had told me that he thought there was a Uni Glining Club. A work colleague of my Dad was a tow pilot at Waikerie and had told my Dad about the Adelaide Uni Gliding Club (i.e. lucky word of mouth) So when I started Uni, at O'week, I actively sought the Uni Gliding Club and signed up. At that time (prior to joining up), I thought that gliding was a poor cousin to power flying (just glorified paper darts), but any flying was better than no flying. My first day on field comprised 3 circuits off a winch launch in a Bergy (GZM) at the end of the day. I was hooked. So either fortunately or unfortunately (depending upon your opinion of me..;-) ), I am still keen on gliding some 21 years later. Mind you raising a young family and having chronic illness in the family has tempered my participation over the last couple of years (my priority is to my family), but I anticipate that my activity in the sport will increase as my kids become interested (they are only 4.5 and almost 3 years old) and health problems settle. The challenge for the gliding movement in Australia is seeking out those who wish to fly for pleasure, versus those who want to do it and move on as they they tick the been there and done that box. ___ 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
Re: [Aus-soaring] Targetting Groups for retention, and my own recriutment, retention story
I don't think there is anything wrong with either group - it just helps to know which someone is in so the training and experience is tailored for what they are after ! The best way of getting people for the long term is 1st making sure they know what is in store for them - having someone get through 15 flights and quit because the time commitment is too much is pointless and causes bad publicity by word of mouth - better for them not to start than have this happen. Smart companies turn down business that is not good for them even when desperate for income ! 2nd is to make sure that people always have a clear progression path visible with sensible goals that they aspire to - I know progress is being made on this, but it take a long time to re-educate the rest of us to promote this !!! On 16/10/2008, at 22:30 , McLean Richard wrote: Hi Michael I think these 2 comments of yours are spot on: The other group of people to target are those who have been more active in gliding or other aviation related activity in the past. The task would be then to reignite their passion and interest. The challenge for the gliding movement in Australia is seeking out those who wish to fly for pleasure, versus those who want to do it and move on as they they tick the been there and done that box. Does any one have any fresh constructive ideas for how best to do either of these? Just fishing for new ideas/ammunition for old ideas. Cheers, Richard --- On Thu, 16/10/08, Texler, Michael [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: From: Texler, Michael [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Aus-soaring] Targetting Groups for retention, and my own recriutment, retention story To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net Received: Thursday, 16 October, 2008, 3:51 PM In my experience, long-term members are people who always wanted to learn how to fly, but never knew they could do it as accessibly as gliding. Kids, sailors and motorcycle riders tend to be disproportionately represented. I think it has been mentioned before, that posters for the local gliding club could be put up at sailing clubs or other represented group. The other group of people to target are those who have been more active in gliding or other aviation related activity in the past. The task would be then to reignite their passion and interest. It would be interesting to know the retention rates of Air Training Corp Cadets. My own experience: I was fascinated with flight ever since I hopped on a TAA T-jet in 1974 (Adelaide to Melbourne flight). As a kid, I built planes out of lego, made a balsa wood and doped paper throw glider, even considered getting into radio controlled stuff. (i.e. I always wanted to learn how to fly) Just before I started Uni, my Dad had told me that he thought there was a Uni Glining Club. A work colleague of my Dad was a tow pilot at Waikerie and had told my Dad about the Adelaide Uni Gliding Club (i.e. lucky word of mouth) So when I started Uni, at O'week, I actively sought the Uni Gliding Club and signed up. At that time (prior to joining up), I thought that gliding was a poor cousin to power flying (just glorified paper darts), but any flying was better than no flying. My first day on field comprised 3 circuits off a winch launch in a Bergy (GZM) at the end of the day. I was hooked. So either fortunately or unfortunately (depending upon your opinion of me..;-) ), I am still keen on gliding some 21 years later. Mind you raising a young family and having chronic illness in the family has tempered my participation over the last couple of years (my priority is to my family), but I anticipate that my activity in the sport will increase as my kids become interested (they are only 4.5 and almost 3 years old) and health problems settle. The challenge for the gliding movement in Australia is seeking out those who wish to fly for pleasure, versus those who want to do it and move on as they they tick the been there and done that box. ___ 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 Make the switch to the world#39;s best email. Get Yahoo!7 Mail! http://au.yahoo.com/y7mail ___ 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 ___ 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
Re: [Aus-soaring] Targetting Groups for retention, and my own recriutment, retention story
I think when it comes to retention, areas like the Air Training Corps are sorely overlooked. They (NSW) run approximately 4-6 courses a year, with about 15-25 students per course. I'm not sure about other states. Here we have a large amount of flying-crazy youngsters, and barely any of them join clubs after that. I learnt to fly with the AIRTC, and I think the amount of people I know still gliding from from the last 8 years of AIRTC camps, you could count them on your hands. Mind you, I'm not sure where kink in the chain comes from there. I'm sure efforts have been made to engage the AIRTC to encourage their students to join clubs after they leave the cadets. What I'd like to know is why this is falling down. Does anyone know? The junior gliding movement in Australia is slowly gathering momentum, however we can see this huge group of flying-obsessed youngsters but can't figure out why we don't hear from them! If anyone from the AIRTC group reads this and wants to contact me offline, please do! If there's anything we youngin's can do to get more interested in the sport, let us know! Gus On Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 6:51 PM, Texler, Michael [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In my experience, long-term members are people who always wanted to learn how to fly, but never knew they could do it as accessibly as gliding. Kids, sailors and motorcycle riders tend to be disproportionately represented. I think it has been mentioned before, that posters for the local gliding club could be put up at sailing clubs or other represented group. The other group of people to target are those who have been more active in gliding or other aviation related activity in the past. The task would be then to reignite their passion and interest. It would be interesting to know the retention rates of Air Training Corp Cadets. My own experience: I was fascinated with flight ever since I hopped on a TAA T-jet in 1974 (Adelaide to Melbourne flight). As a kid, I built planes out of lego, made a balsa wood and doped paper throw glider, even considered getting into radio controlled stuff. (i.e. I always wanted to learn how to fly) Just before I started Uni, my Dad had told me that he thought there was a Uni Glining Club. A work colleague of my Dad was a tow pilot at Waikerie and had told my Dad about the Adelaide Uni Gliding Club (i.e. lucky word of mouth) So when I started Uni, at O'week, I actively sought the Uni Gliding Club and signed up. At that time (prior to joining up), I thought that gliding was a poor cousin to power flying (just glorified paper darts), but any flying was better than no flying. My first day on field comprised 3 circuits off a winch launch in a Bergy (GZM) at the end of the day. I was hooked. So either fortunately or unfortunately (depending upon your opinion of me..;-) ), I am still keen on gliding some 21 years later. Mind you raising a young family and having chronic illness in the family has tempered my participation over the last couple of years (my priority is to my family), but I anticipate that my activity in the sport will increase as my kids become interested (they are only 4.5 and almost 3 years old) and health problems settle. The challenge for the gliding movement in Australia is seeking out those who wish to fly for pleasure, versus those who want to do it and move on as they they tick the been there and done that box. ___ 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 ___ 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
Re: [Aus-soaring] Targetting Groups for retention, and my own recriutment, retention story
-Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Texler, Michael Sent: Thursday, 16 October 2008 6:51 PM To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. Subject: [Aus-soaring] Targetting Groups for retention,and my own recriutment, retention story [Dave and Cath] I think it has been mentioned before, that posters for the local gliding club could be put up at sailing clubs or other represented group. Hmm... Could be touchy. Imagine someone from the local sailing club coming along to a gliding club and putting up a poster that says Stop gliding and take up sailing! Dave L ___ 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
Re: [Aus-soaring] Targetting Groups for retention, and my own recriutment, retention story
I think i may be able to help with this one. My background as a 15 year old learnt to fly Blaniks L-13 With the AIRTC, 16 yrs of went powered and continued to fly with the AIRTC for the next 15 years as a cadet then as a adult instructor, and now in a instructing role. The big problem in making the Conversion from a cadet on a Abinitio Course is the age, Must cadets Learn in gliders because they can solo befor they can drive a car , and they can solo a year befor they can solo a powered aircraft. This is the problem, Once they are hooked and want to continue flying at a club they have no way to get to the club (usally a 300km round trip), many parents get suckered into ferring there son/daughter/ward to the airfield only to sit in the car all day then drive them home. This usally lasts the first trip then they get the If you want to fly you get yourself there and back me and your father are busy all weekend Burger flipping at maccas is usally the weapon of choice to raising funds to continue flying, i my case i was glassing and mixing drinks in a bar (well under age) to pay for my flying, i was lucky dad is a powered pilot so did not mind pushing blaniks around the base all day. When Cadets get a income to pay for there flying, they also incurr lifes costs CARS, Smokes Alcohol and Girls/ boys as we all know these are expensive. and the fun of flying fades into the distance. Car pooling was tried for many years it does work but when you leave it to teenagers to organise it never happens. In saying that many of my ex cadets now flt F18's orions hercs pc9's and hawks, also with the contigent that go the GA COM avenue. I have just finished 2 weeks ago a Abinitio course with cadets and i'm trying like shit to get the cadets to join a club and continue, it all up to them now. Most of the people dont know that the RAAF has a huge abount of AVGAS allocated to cadets for there flying training, so if a cadet fly's at your club IN UNIFORM they can apply to have the system reimburse the club for the cost of the fuel used during their Aerotows. Basically they can get a aerotow for Dry Hire Rates much cheeper considering AVGAS is about 1.80 a litre at the moment. Hope this helps. Ben - Original Message - From: Gus Stewart To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2008 8:10 PM Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] Targetting Groups for retention,and my own recriutment, retention story I think when it comes to retention, areas like the Air Training Corps are sorely overlooked. They (NSW) run approximately 4-6 courses a year, with about 15-25 students per course. I'm not sure about other states. Here we have a large amount of flying-crazy youngsters, and barely any of them join clubs after that. I learnt to fly with the AIRTC, and I think the amount of people I know still gliding from from the last 8 years of AIRTC camps, you could count them on your hands. Mind you, I'm not sure where kink in the chain comes from there. I'm sure efforts have been made to engage the AIRTC to encourage their students to join clubs after they leave the cadets. What I'd like to know is why this is falling down. Does anyone know? The junior gliding movement in Australia is slowly gathering momentum, however we can see this huge group of flying-obsessed youngsters but can't figure out why we don't hear from them! If anyone from the AIRTC group reads this and wants to contact me offline, please do! If there's anything we youngin's can do to get more interested in the sport, let us know! Gus -- ___ 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___ 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
Re: [Aus-soaring] Targetting Groups for retention, and my own recriutment, retention story
Hi Gus Having been introduced to the sport through this path myself 20 odd years ago I think the reality is that the majority of these kids just want to fly F/A-18's, and also they are unlikely to be in a position to, or have the desire to, get seriously into gliding for some time. A definite investment in the future though, just don't expect a return for a while, and definitely not much short term retention. Just my experience. I started gliding in 87 by 93 had left to do other things .. but then I came back. Cheers, Richard --- On Thu, 16/10/08, Gus Stewart [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: From: Gus Stewart [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] Targetting Groups for retention, and my own recriutment, retention story To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net Received: Thursday, 16 October, 2008, 8:10 PM I think when it comes to retention, areas like the Air Training Corps are sorely overlooked. They (NSW) run approximately 4-6 courses a year, with about 15-25 students per course. I'm not sure about other states. Here we have a large amount of flying-crazy youngsters, and barely any of them join clubs after that. I learnt to fly with the AIRTC, and I think the amount of people I know still gliding from from the last 8 years of AIRTC camps, you could count them on your hands. Mind you, I'm not sure where kink in the chain comes from there. I'm sure efforts have been made to engage the AIRTC to encourage their students to join clubs after they leave the cadets. What I'd like to know is why this is falling down. Does anyone know? The junior gliding movement in Australia is slowly gathering momentum, however we can see this huge group of flying-obsessed youngsters but can't figure out why we don't hear from them! If anyone from the AIRTC group reads this and wants to contact me offline, please do! If there's anything we youngin's can do to get more interested in the sport, let us know! Gus On Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 6:51 PM, Texler, Michael [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In my experience, long-term members are people who always wanted to learn how to fly, but never knew they could do it as accessibly as gliding. Kids, sailors and motorcycle riders tend to be disproportionately represented. I think it has been mentioned before, that posters for the local gliding club could be put up at sailing clubs or other represented group. The other group of people to target are those who have been more active in gliding or other aviation related activity in the past. The task would be then to reignite their passion and interest. It would be interesting to know the retention rates of Air Training Corp Cadets. My own experience: I was fascinated with flight ever since I hopped on a TAA T-jet in 1974 (Adelaide to Melbourne flight). As a kid, I built planes out of lego, made a balsa wood and doped paper throw glider, even considered getting into radio controlled stuff. (i.e. I always wanted to learn how to fly) Just before I started Uni, my Dad had told me that he thought there was a Uni Glining Club. A work colleague of my Dad was a tow pilot at Waikerie and had told my Dad about the Adelaide Uni Gliding Club (i.e. lucky word of mouth) So when I started Uni, at O'week, I actively sought the Uni Gliding Club and signed up. At that time (prior to joining up), I thought that gliding was a poor cousin to power flying (just glorified paper darts), but any flying was better than no flying. My first day on field comprised 3 circuits off a winch launch in a Bergy (GZM) at the end of the day. I was hooked. So either fortunately or unfortunately (depending upon your opinion of me..;-) ), I am still keen on gliding some 21 years later. Mind you raising a young family and having chronic illness in the family has tempered my participation over the last couple of years (my priority is to my family), but I anticipate that my activity in the sport will increase as my kids become interested (they are only 4.5 and almost 3 years old) and health problems settle. The challenge for the gliding movement in Australia is seeking out those who wish to fly for pleasure, versus those who want to do it and move on as they they tick the been there and done that box. ___ 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 ___ 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 Make the switch to the world#39;s best email. Get Yahoo!7 Mail! http://au.yahoo.com/y7mail
Re: [Aus-soaring] Targetting Groups for retention, and my own recriutment, retention story
Hi Michael I think these 2 comments of yours are spot on: The other group of people to target are those who have been more active in gliding or other aviation related activity in the past. The task would be then to reignite their passion and interest. The challenge for the gliding movement in Australia is seeking out those who wish to fly for pleasure, versus those who want to do it and move on as they they tick the been there and done that box. Does any one have any fresh constructive ideas for how best to do either of these? Just fishing for new ideas/ammunition for old ideas. Cheers, Richard --- On Thu, 16/10/08, Texler, Michael [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: From: Texler, Michael [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Aus-soaring] Targetting Groups for retention, and my own recriutment, retention story To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net Received: Thursday, 16 October, 2008, 3:51 PM In my experience, long-term members are people who always wanted to learn how to fly, but never knew they could do it as accessibly as gliding. Kids, sailors and motorcycle riders tend to be disproportionately represented. I think it has been mentioned before, that posters for the local gliding club could be put up at sailing clubs or other represented group. The other group of people to target are those who have been more active in gliding or other aviation related activity in the past. The task would be then to reignite their passion and interest. It would be interesting to know the retention rates of Air Training Corp Cadets. My own experience: I was fascinated with flight ever since I hopped on a TAA T-jet in 1974 (Adelaide to Melbourne flight). As a kid, I built planes out of lego, made a balsa wood and doped paper throw glider, even considered getting into radio controlled stuff. (i.e. I always wanted to learn how to fly) Just before I started Uni, my Dad had told me that he thought there was a Uni Glining Club. A work colleague of my Dad was a tow pilot at Waikerie and had told my Dad about the Adelaide Uni Gliding Club (i.e. lucky word of mouth) So when I started Uni, at O'week, I actively sought the Uni Gliding Club and signed up. At that time (prior to joining up), I thought that gliding was a poor cousin to power flying (just glorified paper darts), but any flying was better than no flying. My first day on field comprised 3 circuits off a winch launch in a Bergy (GZM) at the end of the day. I was hooked. So either fortunately or unfortunately (depending upon your opinion of me..;-) ), I am still keen on gliding some 21 years later. Mind you raising a young family and having chronic illness in the family has tempered my participation over the last couple of years (my priority is to my family), but I anticipate that my activity in the sport will increase as my kids become interested (they are only 4.5 and almost 3 years old) and health problems settle. The challenge for the gliding movement in Australia is seeking out those who wish to fly for pleasure, versus those who want to do it and move on as they they tick the been there and done that box. ___ 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 Make the switch to the world#39;s best email. Get Yahoo!7 Mail! http://au.yahoo.com/y7mail ___ 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
Re: [Aus-soaring] Targetting Groups for retention, and my own recriutment, retention story
Michael Did you notice engineers are also disproportionally represented, but thats a good thing because they're so easy to take the mickey out of and we need the entertainment! Grant Harper -Original Message- From: Texler, Michael [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net Sent: Thu, 16 Oct 2008 5:51 pm Subject: [Aus-soaring] Targetting Groups for retention, and my own recriutment, retention story In my experience, long-term members are people who always wanted to learn how to fly, but never knew they could do it as accessibly as gliding. Kids, sailors and motorcycle riders tend to be disproportionately represented. I think it has been mentioned before, that posters for the local gliding club could be put up at sailing clubs or other represented group. The other group of people to target are those who have been more active in gliding or other aviation related activity in the past. The task would be then to reignite their passion and interest. It would be interesting to know the retention rates of Air Training Corp Cadets. My own experience: I was fascinated with flight ever since I hopped on a TAA T-jet in 1974 (Adelaide to Melbourne flight). As a kid, I built planes out of lego, made a balsa wood and doped paper throw glider, even considered getting into radio controlled stuff. (i.e. I always wanted to learn how to fly) Just before I started Uni, my Dad had told me that he thought there was a Uni Glining Club. A work colleague of my Dad was a tow pilot at Waikerie and had told my Dad about the Adelaide Uni Gliding Club (i.e. lucky word of mouth) So when I started Uni, at O'week, I actively sought the Uni Gliding Club and signed up. At that time (prior to joining up), I thought that gliding was a poor cousin to power flying (just glorified paper darts), but any flying was better than no flying. My first day on field comprised 3 circuits off a winch launch in a Bergy (GZM) at the end of the day. I was hooked. So either fortunately or unfortunately (depending upon your opinion of me..;-) ), I am still keen on gliding some 21 years later. Mind you raising a young family and having chronic illness in the family has tempered my participation over the last couple of years (my priority is to my family), but I anticipate that my activity in the sport will increase as my kids become interested (they are only 4.5 and almost 3 years old) and health problems settle. The challenge for the gliding movement in Australia is seeking out those who wish to fly for pleasure, versus those who want to do it and move on as they they tick the been there and done that box. ___ 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 ___ 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
Re: [Aus-soaring] Targetting Groups for retention, and my own recriutment, retention story
Hi Rob (and others) I think SA is probably the only state where the junior movement really has any momentum, and that's due to a) having critical mass, b) a university gliding club and b) good resources. So I guess what I'm referring to at the moment is the other AIRTC wings, in particular NSWAIRTC (327 wing I think they're now called? can't remember), who I believe continue to be the biggest youth gliding operation in the southern hemisphere. I realise that many just want to fly F/A 18's. In fact, probably 90% of them do. But honestly, 10% of them don't give a rats... they just want to fly something. And enjoy the social aspect of the camps. I too was an AIRTC graduate, I spent many years in a Blanik out at Raglan (Bathurst) and just like Ben, when I joined my local club (RRGC) afterwards, I spent 3 hours+ travel on train and pushbike just to go flying. Only when I got my first set of wheels could I head further out to places like BSC to continue my flying. Working as a kitchenhand to afford it all, whilst inglorious, was necessary . (Gawd, I think I'm going to need my very own terry towelling hat soon!) What I'm trying to get at is that the AIRTC is probably flying more people per year than they ever did in the olden days, yet far less than ever are taking up gliding afterwards. Even if only 2% of them decided to continue flying, that would be a huge boost and inject more younger people into clubs. Are there any (current) AIRTC members on this mailing list? If not, why not? Gus On Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 12:09 AM, McLean Richard [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Gus Having been introduced to the sport through this path myself 20 odd years ago I think the reality is that the majority of these kids just want to fly F/A-18's, and also they are unlikely to be in a position to, or have the desire to, get seriously into gliding for some time. A definite investment in the future though, just don't expect a return for a while, and definitely not much short term retention. Just my experience. I started gliding in 87 by 93 had left to do other things .. but then I came back. Cheers, Richard --- On Thu, 16/10/08, Gus Stewart [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: From: Gus Stewart [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] Targetting Groups for retention, and my own recriutment, retention story To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net Received: Thursday, 16 October, 2008, 8:10 PM I think when it comes to retention, areas like the Air Training Corps are sorely overlooked. They (NSW) run approximately 4-6 courses a year, with about 15-25 students per course. I'm not sure about other states. Here we have a large amount of flying-crazy youngsters, and barely any of them join clubs after that. I learnt to fly with the AIRTC, and I think the amount of people I know still gliding from from the last 8 years of AIRTC camps, you could count them on your hands. Mind you, I'm not sure where kink in the chain comes from there. I'm sure efforts have been made to engage the AIRTC to encourage their students to join clubs after they leave the cadets. What I'd like to know is why this is falling down. Does anyone know? The junior gliding movement in Australia is slowly gathering momentum, however we can see this huge group of flying-obsessed youngsters but can't figure out why we don't hear from them! If anyone from the AIRTC group reads this and wants to contact me offline, please do! If there's anything we youngin's can do to get more interested in the sport, let us know! Gus On Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 6:51 PM, Texler, Michael [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In my experience, long-term members are people who always wanted to learn how to fly, but never knew they could do it as accessibly as gliding. Kids, sailors and motorcycle riders tend to be disproportionately represented. I think it has been mentioned before, that posters for the local gliding club could be put up at sailing clubs or other represented group. The other group of people to target are those who have been more active in gliding or other aviation related activity in the past. The task would be then to reignite their passion and interest. It would be interesting to know the retention rates of Air Training Corp Cadets. My own experience: I was fascinated with flight ever since I hopped on a TAA T-jet in 1974 (Adelaide to Melbourne flight). As a kid, I built planes out of lego, made a balsa wood and doped paper throw glider, even considered getting into radio controlled stuff. (i.e. I always wanted to learn how to fly) Just before I started Uni, my Dad had told me that he thought there was a Uni Glining Club. A work colleague of my Dad was a tow pilot at Waikerie and had told my Dad about the Adelaide Uni Gliding Club
