By (USUA #A86096)

I can't believe it is the Fall season already, and we are looking at snowfall in excess of two feet in areas of western New York. This means that for many of us, the flying season for 2006 is just about over. And we are looking at months of cold, blustery winds and (for those of us with thinning blood and an aversion to the cold) a time to sharpen our hangar flying skills.

This might also be a time to brush up on those "ground school" bits of knowledge that are required to pass knowledge tests, and continue to be used to fly safely once we are licensed. This might also be a time to attract those would-be pilots that will help swell our ranks next spring and keep the sport of fun flying alive and well. Many of our existing clubs have been noting that the number of members has been decreasing over the years with many explanations being offered. The most prominent explanation has been that everyone was waiting to see what would happen with the proposed Light Sport Pilot Rule. Well, that rule has now been adopted and in operations for over a year.

The currently popular explanation for declining numbers seems to be along the lines of: "It is hard to find anyone to offer training since most of the BFIs have not renewed their ratings thinking that it will be of little value in the near future. Also there haven't been many Light Sport Instructors or Examiners qualified yet". Both of these explanations may be valid, but the situation remains unchanged - we need to figure out how to attract new members or face the prospect of declining membership in our clubs, which, in turn, reduces the number and kinds of activities we are able to support.

Whoa there, Jerry Rosie!! What got you up on your soap box?? Well, a couple of things. Over the past twelve months, I have noticed a steady decline in the number of newsletters that are reaching USUA Headquarters. Secondly, the clubs in the immediate area that I am involved with, have experienced a steady decline of members and a steady decline in the number of activities that these clubs can support. And thirdly, of the newsletters that we still receive, the reports of activities, other than meetings, has declined drastically. Even with the most active club in the network, which reports a flight somewhere nearly every weekend, I am noticing no new activities and no new members.

If I am just being an alarmist, please just ignore me. But, if you all are noticing something similar with the clubs you are associated with, maybe it is time we take a good look at what we can do to change this situation. I realize that the world has changed in the fifty or so years since I was a young whippersnapper, but I find it difficult to believe that it has changed so much that there are not folks out there who are attracted to the good things that flying can bring to a person's lifestyle. So if there are "wanna be" pilots out there, where are they? Do they know that USUA clubs exist that can help them realize their dreams of flight? If they don't know about us, that is one key to solving the problem of declining membership. We need to let them know we exist and what we can offer to them in their pursuit of the world of flight. The next question is how can we do that?

Over the months, I have noted some activities of some of our clubs that can advertise our existence and actually provide some fun at the same time. I'll list a few of them here in case some of the clubs in the network are looking for ideas, and I ask that any of you who have discovered a unique way of advertising what you provide to the flying public, and how you invite members to join your club, to email me so I can pass your ideas on to other clubs. Some of the activities that I have collected thus far include:

a. Put a registration table with some informational literature that can attract some interested members at our historical fly ins. Don't forget to make personal contact with someone new and make them feel welcome. You might even appoint a member to be responsible for this at each of your fly ins.

b. Expand one of your fly ins to include an official Ultralight competitive event? The numbers of folks competing for the national championship last year was woefully small. The USUA web site has all the info on conducting such an event to include forms, rules, grading sheets and everything you could want to run a competition.

c. Put one of your airplanes on a flatbed, decorate it, and use it as a float in a local parade. Be sure to include a sign outlining your meeting times and location and a contact number for more information.

d. Consider granting a small scholarship to a deserving student who wants to pursue a career in aviation. It need not be a large amount of money, since even a small amount will get your club mentioned at the local high school graduation when the award is made.

e. Contact the local Boy/Girl Scout organizations and offer to provide training and instruction towards merit badges. (If the kids are involved, chances are they will get their parents involved also)

f. Contact a local charity or service organization about sponsoring a joint event - fly in/drive in/raffle/breakfast/lunch/......whatever. Again more hands make the work lighter, and even if no one comes to the event, at least you got the other organization involved .

g. Get one or two of your members to offer a Ground School for aspiring Ultralight or Light Sport Pilots. The best way to learn a subject is to teach it, and offering a discount price for members of your club is a way to increase, not only the flying population, but your club membership. (If your member can't sign off to permit the student to take the Written, search out a cooperative CFI who WILL sign off for your students. A good way for him/her to attract new students also.)

h. Contact your local EAA Chapter about sponsoring some joint events, lectures, training sessions, etc. (Some chapters have joint membership - EAA AND USUA. Maybe you can get them interested.

OK Folks - now its your turn. Let me spread your great ideas around the country so we can all benefit from them. I promise to give credit where credit is due, so let's hear from you.

Fly Safe!!