25% Reduction in USHPA fees?

[Ward Odenwald]

Just finished reading the January issue of our USHPA mag, realizing that this issue is not much different from most of those that have found their way to my mail box over the past two years. For me, I rate each monthly installment by how much I learn about flying from the articles and photos of sites that most of us have or will fly. If you count the number of full pages in this current issue that are dedicated to flying outside of our USA, locations that maybe 0.01% of us will ever fly over, it represents ~25% of this issue's total pages and that includes all pages even the advertisements. Pretty pictures but of little or no value to most of us! I’m really conflicted in deciding which is best. Is it the “boots over the alps “ (a two page spread) or the braded rope? Just when I think I’ve decided, I flip to the other “center-fold” like two pager of Orlane gazing into the fog!! I believe that we need to “clear the fog” between the USHPA editors’ ears by reminding this organization (our organization) that photogenic views of our sites have greater value than just scenic views. The old adage - “a pic is worth a thousand words” still applies. Photos of sites that “we” fly give us another perspective of that site which helps those that fly over its terrain. A photo of an alien site is entertaining but of little or no value to most USHPA members. I’m all for helping non-profit organizations but let’s keep the “karma” at home. Until the USHPA focuses most, if not all, of their articles and photo spreads on helping the majority of those that represent it, the annual dues that I’m paying are reduced by 25%. Ward

[Dan T]

To my knowledge every time the CHGPA has put together an article for the USHPA magazine it's been published. The USHPA is constantly seeking input from its members. Before we are too critical of them we should ask ourselves when was the last time we put together an article for publication in the magazine. I think the dearth of contributions from its members is the single biggest reasons that we don't see more articles of interest to us.

By the way the High Rock improvement is a fantastic candidate. It should be of broad appeal across our entire National organization. Is anyone up for writing it?

Dan

[guy didier]

Given that so much of paragliding and hand gliding is happening abroad, a broad coverage of our sport is welcome and necessary.

I flew in Europe several times, I flew in Mexico in December, I'm going to Costa Rica next week, and I will be flying in Southern England next July. In all these places, I fly with USHPA members, who also enjoy traveling and flying abroad. Last summer, I spent weeks flying in the Western part of the US, and there again, I met people from various states and countries. So I hope your landing is more accurate than your estimate that no more than 0.01% of us may ever fly far away sites.

The quality of the USHPA magazine, and its scope is actually pretty good given the very limited budget it is produced with. Sure, it does not compare with the scope and quality of the UK produced Cross Country HG & PG magazine (read by pilots in over 75 countries), but one is free, the other costs about $50 a year. Instead of paying less dues, I would offer than USHPA is under valued, under appreciated, and in need of more support from the community of pilots it serves.

[Ward Odenwald]

Guy, thanks for your input but your comment “I flew in Europe several times, I flew in Mexico in December, I'm going to Costa Rica next week, and I will be flying in Southern England next July” suggests that you represent only the 0.1%ers of USHPA - at best, so I’ll revise my estimate of 0.01% to 0.1% - still doesn’t reflect the needs of the other 99.9%ers. “Landing accuracy” keeps me in the sport, but cute photos of sites that most of us will never fly over do not. Maybe, just maybe, the USHPA is under appreciated cause its not doing an acceptable job representing the majority of its members! Ward

[guy didier]

Majority of its members? Stop assuming your preferences make a community, and appreciate diversity. Also, should the magazine report on infinite tumbling and other acro flying since the majority of us don't do it? How do you ever grow out of your ignorance if you don't read about what does not concern you directly?

[Flying Lobster]

Funny--I'm the opposite--I could care less about the places I fly regularly being featured in the mag--(I already know about them--and who wants them to be bandito'd by them forryners with funny accents anyway ) and am much more interested in new and different sites.

[Ward Odenwald]

"and am much more interested in new and different sites." And there are plenty of sites in the USA that many of us have not flown yet and don't know about but would very much like to read about. The USHPA (our organization) needs to highlight these. Highlighting foreign sites to the extent of what our publication does is an "editorial cop-out" and suggests that there is little or no peer-review mechanism to insure that the best interests of its majority (that's right Guy, the majority) are well served. Ward

[deveil]

my apologies to Ward if this is tracking too far from his topic.

i would add my vote to David’s suggestion, as seconded by Dan, that an article be written and submitted to the magazine. and yeah i guess in a way it would be something that goes to addressing Ward’s concern - a win win sort of.

regarding the article itself, i would go so far as to say that such an effort by someone would be as them taking the baton and running one more leg of the overall project.

also the effort could be thought of as helping to repay the FFF. it might even generate some additional donations from the mag’s readership and that could be thought of as keeping the karma at home in as much as it supports other clubs efforts.

a suggestion would be to write about the club’s project and its value to us from the slant of what the Foundation for Free Flight is and accomplishes rather than simply what we have done with the money. apologies to anyone who may have already suggested this.

[Dan T]

Several years ago we had a significant exodus of participants from this list server following several threads that had devolved into flamefests. The net result was we lost contact with people who were our friends and fellow pilots.

Let's not make the same mistake again. Let's keep it civil. We might even set an example for Congress.

Dan

[deveil]

gawd, i hope you are not referring to me - i tried really really hard to be good that time.

[markc]

My best guess is that the majority of pilots who fly local and/or US sites do so without making efforts to educate and enlighten those
from beyond their area who might benefit from local experience and expertise (at least, in written form).

That's _NOT_ a criticism.

I mean really, who has the TIME for that kind of thing?

Heck, we've tried to encourage someone to step up and take on the job of editor for a net/forum/whatever-based club newsletter,
for many years, without success. If that's happening at the local level... Then is it surprising if there are similar problems at the
national level?

Let's see: I had the opportunity to fly Laguna a bunch of years ago. A completely cool experience, flying above terrain that is much
more complex and varied than anything that we have here in the east. But did I write an article? No. Did I even give a talk about
the flight at a local club meeting? Nope! (maybe "I flew Laguna, it was fun!", no more than that).

But OTOH, if you can travel to an exotic locale and fly without huge difficulties arranging for equipment and transportation....
Well, is it any surprise that the experience might be written up and submitted to the mag?

If it can be demonstrated that there's a true _bias_ regarding the articles accepted for the mag, then I'd be the first to protest.
But my guess is that the average/joe-pilot/local-interest/etc articles simply aren't being submitted.

Have any of our forum participants submitted an article that didn't get in? If so, let us know!

MarkC

[Ward Odenwald]

markc, you’re right about the fact that many flights go unnoticed due of the time and effort it takes to communicate them. However, it's the responsibility of the USHPA to insure that the information communicated in “our” publication focuses on information that will support the majority of its members. The fact that we, via the USHPA magazine, know more about flying sites in Europe, Central/South America and elsewhere than many, or most of our own flying sites highlights significant problems within USHPA and its editors. If you question this fact, logon to the NoStepper weather site (http://weather.nostepper.com/) and ask yourself - how many of these flying sites have I ever seen photos of or read about in the USHPA mag? My guess is that the USHPA editors are not doing the best that they can to acquire information that will enhance our understanding of flying in the USA. Basically, they’re lazy! Sitting back and waiting for something to cross-their-desk and jumping at the first glitzy photo spread regardless of its content is most likely their “standard operating procedure”. Heck, if they really are located in Colorado Springs why don’t they just grab a camera, jump in the car and go find a flying site. The fact that they haven’t done this suggests that “our” publication is run by individuals who are not pushing the limits of helping the rest of us. Ward

[dbodner]

If I remember correctly, putting together the magazine is a part-time job. I'm sure after doing all the in-office work (editing, laying out, messing with photos, paperwork, etc.) there isn't any time to pro-actively seek stories. If it doesn't come to the magazine, it doesn't get published.

[Ward Odenwald]

Given the number of sophisticated/slick advertisements that cover half to full-page spreads in recent issues, there is little to suggest that part-time jobs are running the show. There is too much $ involved to let part-timers control and be responsible for the content of this publication. Possibly in its early days, but now the magazine’s advertising revenue has become an important source of USHPA income. It would be great if our organization took some of that income and hired a “cub reporter” to go out and rediscover flying in the USA! Ward

[RichH]

I have to agree, since coming back to the sport I've been very disappointed with the content of the magazine. Occasionally you see some decent articles from Denis or the once in a blue moon good x-c or meet coverage. The USHPA Magazine could learn a lesson from the TTT magazine. I find it has great articles and coverage of interesting topics ranging from how to prepare for cross country flying to great articles on launch techniques and even some competition coverage. It is a shame that our publication has become so bland..but I do agree with Dan that its up to us to make it better..We have some great things happening in our region such as the Highland Challenge, Hyner View fly ins, East Coast Championships etc..lets get our own articles in the magazine..

[davidtheamazing1]

I agree that the content of the magazine could use more input from the USA. At the behest of the FFF, CHGPA will certainly contribute an article about HR and the recent work. Maybe they could offer a $$ for people who write stories (which they decide to publish). Might make for more interesting content!

That being said, I feel that USHPA needs to do more to support chapter administration. At the last board meeting (I was able to attend because it was during a week off) the USHPA board passed a resolution which promised to look into the issue. Dan T, I hope you will keep that going.

[Richard Hays]

Mathew? Oh...professional travel writer doodle guy? Hmmmmmm? I see an opportunity here..... : D

Richard Hays

[Dan T]

David,

I sent you a PM asking you to fill me in on your subject of concern. They sometimes don't go through very quickly. Write me at wuffo1@aol.com, or call.

Thanks,
Dan