Success StoriesSuccess Stories

Tidewater Soaring SocietyRegion IV

S.E. Virginia

Garner Gliderport

3VA8

Presentation to2006 Soaring Society of America Convention

Gary W. Van Tassel, President

Garner Gliderport

Two Runways – no waiting• Tow Plane Landing• Glider T/O and Landing• Safety / Retrieve Strip

TSS TodayTSS Today

Long term commitment on gliderport2 towplanes (Citabria, Pawnee)5 gliders (2-33s, 1-26D, L33, L23)No debt55 to 65 members, can accommodate moreFully funded engine overhaul fundStrong cash reserves

Fee ScheduleFee Schedule

Initiation Fee $200.00Refundable deposit $200.00Family member (each) $ 50.00*Yearly SSA Dues $ 64.00Monthly Dues $ 30.00

*one time fee

Fee ScheduleFee Schedule

Aircraft Rental (per hour)> 2-33 $ 5.00> 1-26D $ 7.00> L33 Solo $12.00> L23 $12.00

Tow Fees> 3000 ft. $19.50

Short HistoryShort History

Formed in 1966 > 10 members> Each member bought a share for $200> Club purchased a 2-22> No Dues

1969 club dues instituted 1972

> Membership down to 16> Treasury in less than desired shape

1972> Bold move to turn the tide! > Buy a new tow plane

Guarantee regular towing service Raise interest in regular flying

1974 > Membership increasing> Tow plane paying its way> Search for new home

South Norfolk Airport

South Norfolk

South Norfolk Airport closed in 1985Victim of development and expansion

1975 – moved to Garner Continued to struggle financially 1980 Tow plane suffered serious landing accident 1981 Tow plane engine failure 1983 TSS getting stronger

> Outstanding loans down to $10,000> Daily flight record – 36 flights> Yearly total – over 1000 flights> Reduced monthly dues!

1985 > 45+ members> Debt Free !

1989 – Second tow plane added1990 – Second 2-33 added1991 – Over 50 members

TSS membership planned for the future> Engine overhaul fund> Capital improvement fund> Plan to accumulate capital to acquire airport

TSS Has Permanent HomeTSS Has Permanent Home

1999 – Mr. Garner graciously offers to donate field> 501C3 created to acquire the field> Tidewater Soaring Foundation> Tidewater Soaring Society (501C7) leases field

from TSF

2000 – TSS has long term commitment on Garner Gliderport

WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO SAY?

The New MillenniumThe New Millennium

Capital to acquire field can be put to other uses

New sailplane hangarNew L-33 SoloNew L-23Pawnee recover & overhaul

The MembershipThe MembershipPuts Hands to WorkPuts Hands to Work

Rolling The FieldThe difference between men and boys?

Organizational StructureOrganizational Structure

Tidewater Soaring Society (501C7)> Member based Glider Club> Manages Gliderport and all flight activities> Owns all aircraft and other support equipment> Owns new hangar> Leases Gliderport from Tidewater Soaring

Foundation under long term lease

Tidewater Soaring Foundation (501C3)> Owns Garner Gliderport> Sponsors and manages Scholarship Program> Accepts tax deductible donations in support of

its mission of promoting soaring flight> Leases Garner Gliderport to Tidewater Soaring

Society under long term lease

TSF/TSS Scholarship TSF/TSS Scholarship ProgramProgram

Three scholarships available each year 35 flights per student All costs covered

> TSS and SSA membership> Aircraft rental and tow fees> Instruction> Textbooks, logbooks, etc.

Upper age limit 21 Strong interest in aviation and soaring Financial need a factor

Flight ActivityFlight ActivityTotal Tows By Year

1237

14181474

1026

1398

1886

2072

1944 1940

1705

1029

1613

1295

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

To

ws

Looking AheadLooking Ahead

Financially soundRecent membership declineCosts rising (Fuel, maintenance)Participation declineNeed to re-energize the membershipEncroachment concerns, noise issues

Constraints onConstraints onMembership GrowthMembership Growth

Instructors> Policy to not take new members unless an

instructor is available> Scholarship program has major impact on

instructor workload> Transition pilots (power to glider) much less

instructor impact

Other ConcernsOther Concerns

Decreased availability of tail dragger pilots to take duties of tow pilot> Most power pilots trained in tricycle landing

gear> May need to “grow our own”

INSURANCE

Proposed ClubhouseProposed Clubhouse

Important for membership to work together and keep in step.Sometimes its hard to accomplish!

Pilots will be pilots

Always looking for new members.Even if they appear to be a bit stuffed.

VA-EAA Regional Fly InVA-EAA Regional Fly In• Worthwhile• Encourage other Region IV clubs to join us• Important to spread the word about soaring• Ready made base of pilots• Never know where next member will come from

Thank YouThank You