PGC 2006 1

PGC 2006 2

Back in the last century we started to focus on these questions:

Back in the last century we started to focus on these questions:

► What are the expectations when one comes into the sport of soaring?

► What are the barriers to entering this leisure pursuit?

► Why do people leave the sport?

► What are the expectations when one comes into the sport of soaring?

► What are the barriers to entering this leisure pursuit?

► Why do people leave the sport?

In relation to soaring in general…In relation to soaring in general…

PGC 2006 3

► What do our members want to get out of soaring?

► How are the demographics of the club changing?

► How are lifestyles changing our approach to leisure time?

► What do our members want to get out of soaring?

► How are the demographics of the club changing?

► How are lifestyles changing our approach to leisure time?

In relation to PGC…In relation to PGC…

PGC 2006 4

Let’s deal with the expectations component…Let’s deal with the expectations component…

PGC 2006 5

But in the here and now…

In another time, another

place… Yeah, I might have

rearranged my priorities….

In another time, another

place… Yeah, I might have

rearranged my priorities….

The 1,200 Knot LookThe 1,200 Knot Look The 120 Knot LookThe 120 Knot Look

PGC 2006 6

The freedom of flightThe freedom of flight

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A sense of accomplishmentA sense of accomplishment

PGC 2006 8

I finally have the time to get into

anew hobby

Wow, I’ve gotthe money to

get into something

coolI need a

newchallenge

PGC 2006 9

Race driversschool,

that’s the ticket

The DreamThe Dream

PGC 2006 10

Welcome to

Welcome to

Mid-StateMid-State

Motor Eagles

Motor Eagles

DrivingDriving

ClubClub

The RealityThe Reality

PGC 2006 11

I’ve always

wanted to fly… how cool are gliders!

The DreamThe Dream

PGC 2006 12

Welcome to

Welcome to

Mid-StateMid-State

Soaring Eagles

Soaring Eagles

GliderGlider

ClubClub

The RealityThe Reality

PGC 2006 13

The Emperorhas no clothes…The Emperorhas no clothes… Soarin

g is a

Cutting Edge

Sport

PGC 2006 14

Let’s go skiing…Let’s go skiing…

PGC 2006 15

Velcome to Gunters Ski School.

You vill learn the art of skiing on

low cost traditional equipment

until you have ze skills to

progress…

Velcome to Gunters Ski School.

You vill learn the art of skiing on

low cost traditional equipment

until you have ze skills to

progress…

PGC 2006 16

Maybe we’ll rent snowmobiles insteadMaybe we’ll rent snowmobiles instead

PGC 2006 17

PGC 2006 18

The PromiseThe Promise

The Average ExperienceThe Average Experience

PGC 2006 19

We do a greatdisservice to soaring by training in antiqueaircraft….

We do a greatdisservice to soaring by training in antiqueaircraft….

We don’t deliver on the promiseWe don’t deliver on the promise

PGC 2006 20

Mission No. 1Mission No. 1

Transform a traditional looking

fleet into something that would

meet the expectations of today’s

glider pilots

PGC 2006 21

Old FleetOld Fleet New FleetNew Fleet

► SGS 2-33► SGS 2-33

► SGS 2-33► SGS 2-33

► Blanik L-23► Blanik L-23

► Grob 103 Twin II► Grob 103 Twin II

► SGS 1-34► SGS 1-34

► SGS 1-26► SGS 1-26

► SGS 1-26► SGS 1-26

► Grob 103 Twin II► Grob 103 Twin II

► Grob 103 Twin II► Grob 103 Twin II

► ASW-19► ASW-19

► Grob Astir CS► Grob Astir CS

► Grob Astir CS77► Grob Astir CS77

► Grob 103 Twin II► Grob 103 Twin II

PGC 2006 22

PGC 2006 23

Since Upgrading the Fleet…. Since Upgrading the Fleet….

► A membership waiting list

► The average member flies more flights and more hours

► More and more willing instructors

► There is a clear path into high performance private gliders

► We have a thriving X-C contingent

► A membership waiting list

► The average member flies more flights and more hours

► More and more willing instructors

► There is a clear path into high performance private gliders

► We have a thriving X-C contingent

PGC 2006 24

Mission No. 2

Market Soaring & the Club

Mission No. 2

Market Soaring & the Club

PGC 2006 25

Marketing OpportunitiesAnd Target Groups

Marketing OpportunitiesAnd Target Groups

► A principle group of interest is aviation minded individuals

► Individuals with the means to participate

► Individuals who are likely to make the lifestyle commitments

PGC 2006 26

AOPA ConventionPhiladelphia 2003AOPA ConventionPhiladelphia 2003

(for Philadelphia Glider Council members)

Distance – Out & Return:1,025 Miles – Tom Knauff - Ridge Soaring, PA, 1983

Distance – Absolute:1,625 Miles – Klaus Ohlmann - Argentina, 2003

Speed Over 500 km Course:154 mph – Jim Payne - California City, CA, 1999

Absolute Altitude:49,009 feet – Bob Harris - California City, 1986

Distance – Out & Return:1,025 Miles – Tom Knauff - Ridge Soaring, PA, 1983

Distance – Absolute:1,625 Miles – Klaus Ohlmann - Argentina, 2003

Speed Over 500 km Course:154 mph – Jim Payne - California City, CA, 1999

Absolute Altitude:49,009 feet – Bob Harris - California City, 1986

WorldSOARING RECORDS

WorldSOARING RECORDS

PennsylvaniaSTATE RECORDS

PennsylvaniaSTATE RECORDS

Distance – Out & Return:1,025 Miles – Tom Knauff - Ridge Soaring

Distance – Absolute:1,188 Miles – Karl Striedieck - Eagle Field

Speed Over 300 km Course:121.5 mph – Tom Knauff - Ridge Soaring

Absolute Altitude:20,256 feet – Ridge Soaring

Distance – Out & Return:1,025 Miles – Tom Knauff - Ridge Soaring

Distance – Absolute:1,188 Miles – Karl Striedieck - Eagle Field

Speed Over 300 km Course:121.5 mph – Tom Knauff - Ridge Soaring

Absolute Altitude:20,256 feet – Ridge Soaring

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1. Philadelphia Glider Council – Hilltown, PA

2. Van Sant Airport – Erwinna, PA

3. Cloud Niners – Morgantown, PA

4. Brandywine Soaring – Toughkenamon, PA

5. Kutztown Airport – Kutztown, PA

6. Beltzville Airport – Beltzville, PA

7. Mid-Atlantic Soaring – Farifield, PA

8. Ridge Soaring – Julian, PA

9. Blairstown Airport – Blairstown, NJ

10. Central Jersey Soaring – Neptune, NJ

11. South Jersey Soaring – Hammonton, NJ

12. Long Island Soaring – Long Island, NY

13. Wurtsboro Airport – Wurtsboro, NY

14. Mohawk Soaring – Alpaus, NY

15. Harris Hill – Elmira, NY

1. Philadelphia Glider Council – Hilltown, PA

2. Van Sant Airport – Erwinna, PA

3. Cloud Niners – Morgantown, PA

4. Brandywine Soaring – Toughkenamon, PA

5. Kutztown Airport – Kutztown, PA

6. Beltzville Airport – Beltzville, PA

7. Mid-Atlantic Soaring – Farifield, PA

8. Ridge Soaring – Julian, PA

9. Blairstown Airport – Blairstown, NJ

10. Central Jersey Soaring – Neptune, NJ

11. South Jersey Soaring – Hammonton, NJ

12. Long Island Soaring – Long Island, NY

13. Wurtsboro Airport – Wurtsboro, NY

14. Mohawk Soaring – Alpaus, NY

15. Harris Hill – Elmira, NY

PGC 2006 33

Invited the Audubon Society in to doa presentation on soaring birdsInvited the Audubon Society in to doa presentation on soaring birds

PGC 2006 34

Willow Grove NAS AirshowWillow Grove NAS Airshow

PGC 2006 35

Scout and SchoolGroups

Scout and SchoolGroups

PGC 2006 36

Biennial Neighbors DayBiennial Neighbors Day

PGC 2006 37

Marketing membership doesn’t just happen…

It is a continuous process that takes time and effort

Marketing membership doesn’t just happen…

It is a continuous process that takes time and effort

PGC 2006 38

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PGC 2006 45

• They get bored and move on

• Go fly power planes

• Go sailing or ____________

• Become social participants in soaring

• They get bored and move on

• Go fly power planes

• Go sailing or ____________

• Become social participants in soaring

Pilots who fly around homebase will

not support the growth of soaring

Pilots who fly around homebase will

not support the growth of soaring

PGC 2006 46

• Local X-C

• Regional X-C

• Badge Flying

• Contests

• Instructing

• Club Leadership

Participation

• Local X-C

• Regional X-C

• Badge Flying

• Contests

• Instructing

• Club Leadership

Participation

Levels of Progression to Keep

Enthusiastic Participation Alive

Levels of Progression to Keep

Enthusiastic Participation Alive

PGC 2006 47

Let’s go skiing…Let’s go skiing…

PGC 2006 48

Velcome to Gunters Ski

School.

You vill learn the art of skiing

on

low cost traditional equipment

until you have ze skills to

progress…

Velcome to Gunters Ski

School.

You vill learn the art of skiing

on

low cost traditional equipment

until you have ze skills to

progress…

PGC 2006 49

Maybe we’ll rent snowmobiles insteadMaybe we’ll rent snowmobiles instead

PGC 2006 50