Oz Report

Birding

Obsessed

Birding

For some people, bird watching is a compulsion that can become more important than friends, family or career.  Richard Koeppel is one of those obsessive birders, and in this candid book, his son shares his story, painting his father as a tragic figure who passionately wanted to become an ornithologist but became the doctor his parents wanted him to be instead.  Not surprisingly, Richard's medical career never satisfied him, and he gave it up to become a "Big Lister," one of a group of highly competitive birders who travel the world making lists of their sightings.  Over the years he spotted more than 7,000 different species, a number achieved by fewer than a dozen others.

Tejas [Abhijeet] Gole <tejasgole> writes:

There's a lot about Birding "Big Listers" in there.  Interesting parallels with hang gliding big-miles club?  Possibly.  Nevertheless, the information about birds is quite interesting.

Discuss Birding at the Oz Report forum

The origin of hang gliding in Kansas

It had to start somewhere.

Gary Osoba sends:

Discuss Kansas at the Oz Report forum

USHPA - the goal's growth rate

(This topic is in: <-- Oct.24 Oct.10 Oct.9 Sep.28 Sep.27 May 2 -> )

Losing 150+ hang glider pilots over the last year.

Here are the numbers so far:

9/28/2005:
Family Rogallo	268	307	38	613
Rogallo	4720	3542	827	9089
Lifetime	26	0	2	28
Subscription	0	0	444	444
Total	5014	3849	1311	10174

9/26/2006:
Type	HG	PG	Both	Total
Family Rogallo	260	323	46	629
Rogallo	4562	3612	887	9061
Lifetime	28	0	3	31
Subscription	0	0	425	425
Total	4850	3935	1361	10146

The USHPA's growth goal of doubling their membership in one year would mean that they would strive to add about 750 members over the last year.  They appear to have lost 28 members instead.  While paraglider membership grew by about 100-150, hang glider membership (only) dropped by about 150.  It would appear as though the USHPA didn't come any where near its growth goal.

Rick A.  Butler <<rick>> at the USHPA office who was kind enough to provide these numbers comments:

Remember that these reports, as snapshots, are very volatile; the numbers change daily as they are processed and monthly as members expire.  The more accurate reflection will be the trend line.  We've been working on analysis to present to the Membership and Development Committee of this data for the last three weeks in prep for the BoD meeting - - definitely a lot (and I mean A LOT) of good reading in the packet.

The Membership Analysis that was done is three reports, the traditional seven-table report that we've always had, a fifteen page analytical look at that data, and a five page spreadsheet.  This comprises the largest BoD packet I think the office has ever produced.

I'll be sure to publish the data when it is available.  Still, I assume that it will show that we are not meeting our growth goals, no matter how many pages of analysis are available.  Perhaps it will help us understand where the lack of growth is.

Discuss USHPA at the Oz Report forum

Cross Country Calendar

(This topic is in: Sep.29 Sep.28 )

Paraglider photos?

Hugh writes:

FLY FOREVER CALENDAR 2007

Cross Country's renowned calendar collection returns with a stunning new offering for the new year.  The 2007 Fly Forever Calendar features thirteen beautiful photos from the world's finest free flying photographers, with work from Jérôme Maupoint, Andy Busslinger, Ulrich Grill, and Oli Barthelmes.  Skyscapes to keep you dreaming of the next epic day, printed as large and glossy as our presses could manage.  Hang gliding over Rio, cloud-surfing in the Alps, or gliding over glistening winter snows, plus there's space to write in your appointments.

Fly Forever Calendars are airmailed worldwide in secure, stiff-backed envelopes.  Buy yours priced £12.95 / E 19.95 / US$ 19.95 from www.xcshop.com or your local Cross Country dealer.

Discuss XC Calendar at the Oz Report forum

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