Well put, Denny.
I'm a short-timer in the club (~ 20 years) compared to founders like
Denny but have enjoyed many of the events and sessions we've had over
the years. As with all clubs, we go through high and low points. When
you look at the other commitments of the club members, it's
understandable. Kids, college, soccer, swimming, career, spouse, etc.
You have to balance them all - at least until the kids leave home and
the dog dies.
Other clubs with which I've been involved have also cycled - Pasadena
and Inland, for instance. I think one of the key issues, as Denny noted,
is to keep things going through the low spots and evolve with new trends
that can be fun and lead to competitive opportunities. There's been a
lot of discussion about RES in this forum (Denny's AVA, for example).
Good entry level class but also has a lot of interesting competitive
outlets if you want to go there. Discus and electrics are also excellent
places to go. Small field capable, low overhead for launch equipment, etc.
Part of this is the problem with the special interest nature of soaring
as well as regional limitations. Tulsa is not a huge population base.
Same problem in Wichita and maybe KC area. Pure open class soaring clubs
are tough to support - especially in an area with limited population and
lots of distance in between. With the advent of better communications,
areas like ours might benefit from a regional soaring affiliation and
perhaps closer association with a nearby power club for routine local
activity. Then host a few events in the several areas of the affiliated
region throughout the year, perhaps using the local power field for
convenience (and to convince the power fliers they are missing a really
good deal!).
We're still flying out here in one's and two's. The club will conitinue
and grow again some day. It's a long drive for me to get down to Tulsa
for fun-flying so the local field here in B'ville will do for discus, 2M
(ooof, there it is again!) and electrics. Just flying in the local
athletic field has attracted several newbies and a couple of guys who
fly Park planes. Maybe they'll be future soaring pilots some day?
Meanwhile, there's a bunch of Texans about 4 hours south of here that we
gotta try and keep honest. We'll be there for TNT!
- Dave R
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