Club Membership...

Does it matter? You bet it does.

In 2000 my local club (I'm forbidden to mention it's name...it's getting a bit like Fiji around here) had a membership base of 80-85 happy pilots.

Today I'm guessing that figure is nearer 60 odd (I mean odd in the nicest possible sense...unless you are a paranoid dellusional fellow) happy pilots.

Less members means less activity about the club. Less members means less people to carry the burden of voluntary tasks. Less members means the fixed overhead costs have to be shared by less people...ie the cost per member goes up.

So what do we do about this? This has been challanging the club, and other clubs, for years. Clearly the effort members have put into past activities like scholarships, big day ups, trial flights have helped bring in some newbies. But it doesn't seem to be enough. Maybe it's time for something new. And by new it might require some real investment and a bit of thinking outside the box. Watch this space...

On to fun things...CAA and old farts don't like high speed finishes at contests, or anywhere for that matter. Bugger them I say (figuratively), bring it on...below is high speed finish at the last contest. In fact we had quite alot thanks to the Auckalnd contingent...maybe they have more fun than us.

And lastly to our tow pilots...clearly some cub drivers are faster than others.