Oz Report

Big Spring Internationals sanctioned by the USHPA

August 2nd through 9th. (Big Spring, Texas)

http://ozreport.com/calendar.php

http://ozreport.com/12.029#0

The USHPA BOD has sanctioned the Big Spring Internationals so that pilots can obtain NTSS points (if the USHPA still manages to keep a record of them) for their ranking.  What is amazing is that there were six or seven votes on the USHPA BOD against the sanctioning.  Just exactly what were these people thinking?

This after the BOD sent out awards to David, Belinda, myself, and others involved in the Worlds awarding us for how great it went in Big Spring in 2007.

I hope to get word soon on when and where registration opens.

Discuss Big Spring at the Oz Report forum   link»

Jonnie's reward

A buck a kilometer (Beechmont, QLD, Australia)

http://ozreport.com/12.055#0

From Moyes to Jonny:

Discuss reward at the Oz Report forum   link»

The new USHPA marketing plan

Okay, so I didn't get very excited about it (USHPA headquarters)

Maybe that's just me.

http://www.ushpa.aero/documents/pres_ushpa_marketing_20080314.pdf

You'll likely have to log in as a USHPA member to view (and download automatically) this document.  It was presented to the USHPA BOD a week ago.  It contains the results of the membership survey.

The document is a simple presentation that is easy to follow.  You'll notice that the basis of the presentation is the USHPA strategic plan (double the membership in 10 years).  It addresses (or at least recognizes) the fact that membership has actually gone down since this goal was announced, so that reaching this goal within the original ten year is no longer possible.  It's looking for a do over or at least a start over.

Some key points:

USHPA’s Strategic Plan: “Double the Membership in 10 years”

• Two avenues for growth

– Reduce attrition

• Current status: 7.5% annual attrition (750 pilots/year)

• Means to address: Mentor Program, community building

– Attract new pilots

• Current status: 5% organic growth (500 pilots/year)

• Means to address: Marketing

Customary Marketing Expenditures for Nonprofits

• Approximately 10% of operating budget*

• USHPA operating budget = ~$1 million/year

– Target marketing budget should be ~$100k

– ~$85k if insurance expense considered extraordinary

We are NOT getting older

– Average age of new pilots currently is 43 years - and steady

– Age distribution of new pilots has been stable for the last 20 years

– No age difference between new HG and PG pilots

– Average population age has risen over time because pilots stay with the sport a long time - half life of 9 years (or 7.5% dropout rate per year)

Why new pilot members choose to fly

– Pilot “gene” -- 70% of respondents said they “always wanted to fly”

New pilots first learned about Free Flight by seeing it in person

– 40% said “saw someone flying”

Ramp up to marketing effectiveness takes time

– Unaware -> Aware -> Interested -> Student -> Member Pilot – Bottom line = new members

• Unlikely to see major changes in 2008 – Get started now

2008 Proposed Marketing Budget

INCOME

Foundation for Free Flight Grant $5,000
Corporate Partners

EXPENSES

Surveys & Data $ 650
Media Kit $ 5,000
Corporate Partner Sales $ 5,500
Website $10,000
Public Relations Fees $15,000
Media Tracking $ 2,475
Events & Events Marketing $ 4,000
Lead Generation $ 2,500
TOTAL 2008 MARKETING REQUEST: $40,125 (less corporate sponsorship dollars)

Discuss Marketing plan at the Oz Report forum   link»

DemoFly - the paraglide simulator

Training paraglider pilots (Kiev, Ukraine)

redcat <redcat> writes:

March 15, 2008 - A new version of add on for a DemoFly_4.  It also reduced the size of the DemoFly programm to 67 MB by removing Direct_X.

Significantly improved vario.  Gluck was that with the positive values of vertical Height velocity continued to fall.  Fixed.  Added indication of rising flows.  When the term flow gets of clouds base - formed "cloud", and consequently disappears when the stream running out himself.  Period of live 15 - 20 min.  To rotate the pilot on the ground against the wind added left and right button "windows".

To update older versions of simulator (up to 15,03,08) Install Add on 1.5 Mb Download here http://www.aero-kiev.com/demofly/index_e.html.

Discuss DemoFly at the Oz Report forum   link»

Leaving Oz

A cold wind blows from the south over the Bass straight (Melbourne airport, Australia)

Tomorrow morning (Saturday morning Australian time), we leave Oz and head back to the US.  Coming soon will be reports on California and the upcoming Santa Cruz Flats Race.

Discuss Leaving at the Oz Report forum   link»