TRAINING NEW U/C members!!!

We have talked about the "Jr" problem --a long time now!
I would like to ask the question to you clubs or individules--How are you doing in attracting new members to fly U/C? I see here in this forum that "retreads" are coming back (after girls,cars,family-GOOD!!
Is your club active in solicitating new flyers? What is working for you? How are your club activities keeping the interest alive?
Thank you--Dave Shrum

TopFlight/Great Planes has done pretty good things for membership at the moment. Totally unbeknownst (is that a word?) to us (the local C/L club) at the time, 2 local R/C clubs voted to put in C/L circles on thier fields from an onset of their current membership wanting to fly C/L with the release of the Nobler/Flight Streak ARFs. They will probably end up with better facilities than our own and we will have to join the R/C clubs to use them! Go figure! I know, I know, it's the end of the world and all that...but maybe it's not such a bad way to go.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out, and if this new interest remains beyond the novelty peroid. Well, as the man was heard to say, there is no such thing as bad publicity. Heck, even Pete Rose is selling books!

Our club always registers from 2 to 4 AMA intro pilots every year, I have been one for the last 2 years myself. I still feel all that is needed is to give kid's a taste of C/L. As long as it's still around when the time comes that they have the time and $, they can have a fond memory and become a sort of retread. As to gaining real juniors that will stick around from here on out to seniors and beyond with out a break, I'm afraid that is a narrow opportunity for parent, grandparent etc. to nurture.

LAST EDITED ON Jan-10-04 AT 11:05 PM (CDT)
 
You have to look for, and be ready for, every opportunity. NW Skyraiders have gotten into a deal at the City of Auburn's annual "Good Old Days" parade. The route goes down Main Street, from East to West, right past an Elementary School playground. We got dibs on the playground, and fly most the weekend. A bunch of trainers were built, and a list was setup to teach kids to fly. Guys who used to fly CL are also encouraged, as are Moms and Dads and daughters. The trainers we chose were SIG 1/2a Skyray's, which didn't work out too well. We're thinking of going to a saucer...no stress points. Also bigger. Watch for it on our website's "Events" page. You'd be very welcome, Dave. Pretty much the same program, at the Model Expo at Puyallup. Steve

Our club (NVCL) has a very good program set up to get the younger crowd involved in C/L. The club itself attends as many events as it can around the Washington Metopolitan area. At these events we try to peak the interest of the young as well as the not so young, and inform them of our training program.

The club has built many trainers (mostly Steak Trainers) which we have on hand at events where we can demo C/L flying. The kids sign up for a turn in the circle with one of our qualified instructors. They are shown the basics of what makes the plane fly as well as some hands on actualy flying the plane. If the kids or parents have an interest in continuing learning to fly they are invited to join in on the clubs training program. The club provides them with a trainer, fuel, instructor, and a place and time to fly. After the child has accomplished all the required tasks in the program, they are rewarded with an Top Flite ARF Flite Streak and an engine.... FREE!!!! The Program is for the kids and we only require they join AMA and the club.

My two son's have been under the instruction of one of the club instructors and daddy. As of last week my 8 year old soloed the club trainer. Daddy is very proud of his son and the efforts of the club to get the kids into the hobby. This program is not ols enough yet to judge as to how many kids we will get into C/L flying. All I know is they have done more than I could ask for in the help they have given my boys and I. This weekend I will be attending my first C/L stunt contest and if thing go right, I may even get brave or stupid enough to enter Beginners. Either way this club has grown by 3 members for sure this year!

Here are two pics of my 8 year old. The first is him looking at an ARF FS that a friend put in after a 20 year layoff.

The second is him and me during a training flight. The last flight before his first full solo with, as he puts it " a perfect landing!) AND IT WAS!

>TopFlight/Great Planes has done pretty good things for
>membership at the moment. Totally unbeknownst (is that a
>word?) to us (the local C/L club) at the time, 2 local R/C
>clubs voted to put in C/L circles on thier fields from an
>onset of their current membership wanting to fly C/L with
>the release of the Nobler/Flight Streak ARFs. They will
>probably end up with better facilities than our own and we
>will have to join the R/C clubs to use them! Go figure! I
>know, I know, it's the end of the world and all that...but
>maybe it's not such a bad way to go.

As I've said many times in the past - one of the most fertile grounds for finding new CL pilots is among RC pilots. They're already spending money on the hobby, they already know about engines, some of them can build already.

For me, the discovery of eBay had alot to do with my return to the hobby. As a buyer I slowly met some guys from around the country (world, really) and had some questions answered. And my cousin Hawk Hawkins sent me a kit and this web sight and I was hooked...
To answer your question (kinda) I am going to join the Knights this next week due to the welcoming attitude and the obvious desire these guys have at helping a new guy like me stay in the air. I won't name names because I don't want to leave anyone out, but eveyone of the Knights I have met thus far are best friends I never knew I had... I am sure it would have been different had I felt like they were annoyed by my questions and goofs.

I've got four new flyers that I'm trainning. Two have been at the house working hard and learning.

Well, Looks like this topic is sinking into the sunset! THANK YOU for the excellent input you fellows put in. I found all of them to be very encouraging and we will try put put to work in our area.
Enjoy your building, flying and training--we need new students!!
Dave Shrum