http://www.ushpa.aero/member_comp_restructure.asp

Steve Kroop <<email>> writes:

It seems that one of the cornerstones of the plan to restructure our competition system is the notion that competition is declining in the US and that our current system is largely to blame (i.e., if it is not largely to blame then why change the system?).  Since this premise is the basis for such a radical change we should explore this.

I think if you were to ask anyone who has been around a while, they may tell you that there has been a decline in competition, but that is subjective.  Something a little more quantitative is necessary.  The chart showing the decline in the number of sanctioned competitions, by itself, does not prove a decline in competition.  First, we should ask the question: has the overall amount of competition declined disproportionately more than the overall decline of the sport of HG?  Second, this chart only proves that there has been a decline in the number of sanctioned events not necessarily a decline in number of pilots participating in competition.  In order for that chart to be meaningful we would need to know the number of participants in each event.

Lets assume for a moment that when we look at the number of participants in each event, that there was an overall decline in participation at sanctioned events. This, in no way, tells us if there has been a decline in participation in competition; it only shows that there has been a decline in participation in sanctioned events.  This begs the question:  How much competing is going on out there in local, regional, club and league events?  We may find that there is no decline in participation at all.

But lets assume for a moment that there is a decline in participation in competition.  Before we attempt to fix the problem it would seem to me we would first need to know the cause of the decline.  As it turns out, the factors for the decline may have nothing to do with the current competition system and changing the system would have no effect.

So going back to the chart, what possible reasons are there for a decline in the number of sanctioned comps?  Here is are some possible factors.

• Overall decline of membership

• Consolidation (fewer meets but greater attendance at individual events)

• Proliferation of unsanctioned events

  • Lack of need for sanctioning

  • Sanctioning is to burdensome

• Loss of competition sites

• Increased liability concerns

• Organizer burn out with no system to mentor replacements

• Competing vehicles for competition (on-line contest)

• Change of pilot demographic 

  • Average age of pilots is going up (changing priorities)

  • Pilots coming into the sport are less competitive by nature

  • Pilots coming into the sport and current membership are becoming more risk adverse

Clearly this is a partial list but it is essential that we (1) determine if we, in fact, have a decline in competition participation and (2) objectively quantify the causes before we make wholesale changes to a system that may not be broken at all. ]]> http://OzReport.com/1228320324 2009 Hang Gliding Calendar

Sander van Schaik <<email>> writes:

For the third time I have produced the Hang Glider Calendar. This beautiful A3 Calendar for 2009 is created with pictures sent in by pilots from over the whole world. Every picture includes the pilot's name, location and photographers name. This wonderful product is the Calendar 2009 at home or at the office.

The calendar can be purchased at http://www.svs-design.nl/webshop for seventeen euro. The calendar is in full color, twelve months + 1 front, plastic top and cardboard bottom, 250 gram satin-white paper, finishing with wire and thumbhole calendar hook.

Discuss 2009 Hang Gliding Calendar at the Oz Report forum   link»

A funny retrieve, Isra'eli style, on the south. We've had some troubles getting the car to the glider's landing place. Luckily- there was a Bedouin with his 4x4:

http://www.ushpa.aero/member_comp_restructure.asp

http://www.ushpa.aero/crp_submit.asp

1. Can't the national champions just be the number 1 ranked pilots at the end of the year? Make this comment under the National Team Section.

2. Do you really think that anyone wants to sanction local or regional meets? What does it do for them? Lisa Tate never thought it did anything for her. Make this comment under the Sanctioning Section.

3. Do you know why we have fewer USHPA sanctioned competitions in 2008 then in some earlier years and can you tell us why? And show us that it is true? Make this comment under the Sanctioning Section.

4. Why isn't there transparency on the comments that you receive regarding this proposal? Will you link to alternative proposals? Make this comment under the General Section.

http://www.ushpa.aero/member_comp_restructure.asp

I would love to see the following documents linked to from the USHPA web site above.

First, I have taken the last original USHPA Competition Rulebook, and divided it into three targeted documents, The Competition Rulebook for Pilots and Meet Directors, the Competition Manual for the Competition Committee and Meet Organizers, and the Competition Manual for National Team Selection. I have deleted from each of these documents the portion of the original Competition Rulebook that does not apply to the target audience.

I have then added to these documents pertinent material taken from the Working Draft. So that these three documents replace the Working Draft (excluding Comp in a Box and the PR document) with documents that are easier to read (because they are shorter and audience specific) and have the changes in them that I believe address the goals of the Workgroup.

You can download the PDF versions of these documents by clicking here: The Competition Rulebook for Pilots and Meet Directors PDF, the Competition Manual for the Competition Committee and Meet Organizers PDF, the Competition Manual for National Team Selection PDF.

You can download the Microsoft Word versions of these documents by clicking here: The Competition Rulebook for Pilots and Meet Directors Word, the Competition Manual for the Competition Committee and Meet Organizers Word, the Competition Manual for National Team Selection Word.

Second, I have edited the Working Draft and pulled out the objectionable bits. You can find my "improved" version of the Working Draft in PDF form and Word format.