zamuro wrote:ChattaroyMan wrote:
What I do like seeing is what appears to be a positive trend for 2000 on.
Agreed. It is still a very small sample (50+ responses) but it does appear that there is a steady trend of new pilots coming since 2000.
IMHO- based on first hand experience AND my time on the USHPA Board- we don't so much have a problem with getting new people or pilots (although hang gliding is a small niche, and only appeals to a small % of total population).
It's a problem with RETENTION. H1's that fade before H2, H2's that fade before H3, and H3's that get out. H4's statistically stick around...
So these numbers showing how few people we have from the late 90's, I believe that reflects that problem of retention. The larger numbers for the early 2000's, and larger still for 2010+, maybe hasn't had enough time to see which of these newerish people stick around, and who gets busy or other interests and heads a different direction in their life/recreation...
Just something to think about I guess... RETENTION is a great place for focused improvement.
Shut up and fly.