The most important item addressed by the Board was an update to the SSA dues structure. This process was started last fall in Denver. It has been 7 years since the last dues increase. The Board agreed to raise the Full Member dues from $55 to $75 per year. If a member is happy with an electronic copy of Soaring, the member can choose a non-paper subscription membership at $50 per year. Over the past few years the SSA has dealt with the effects of inflation by cutting staff while adding services such as the web site. The increase will allow the Society to remain financially viable.
One item that has been a thorn in the SSA side is the computer system. Several years ago the SSA decided to replace its computer system due to obsolescence and Y2K. The Society put out a RFP and went through a bidding process. It chose a vendor based on the high recommendation of other organizations including EAA. Unfortunately the service and success that gave vendor a good reputation disappeared because the vender over committed itself and was unable to expand to keep its obligations. Like too many other organizations the SSA got stuck with a big cost overrun due to the long delay in the system installation. Because of the contract the SSA had the overrun was not as bad as others but still unsatisfactory. The good news is the that the system is on line and doing what the SSA needs. It is providing efficiencies that are saving the SSA money. The system has enough excess capability that it should serve the SSA for a long time.
To pay the overrun the SSA Foundation loaned the SSA money from the Life Member Fund. This loan is to be paid back over a 3 year period with interest at the prime rate.
The NPRM for Sport Pilot/Sport Plane has been published and is in the comment period. The overall the proposal looks good for soaring. [JP's opinion: Using the Sport Plane criteria, a manufacturer could build a rather nice towplane without having all the costs associated with certification.]
The contest rules changes proposed by the Rules Sub-Committee were adopted as proposed except for a "mandatory" donation for the US Team Fund:
From Arleen's report, in 2001 she processed 35 World and National Record claims (18 National including 3 World by US pilots, the rest from other countries) with no denials. She processed 653 badge legs, up 11% from 2000. 17 badge legs were denied-- almost all due to not reading and understanding the rules.
The SSA Group Insurance Program experienced a 5% growth in accounts and aircraft insured over the previous year. The number of underwriters has declined to the point that only 4 are insuring gliders. Clubs and commercial operators have even fewer options.
The Soaring Safety Foundation has an expanding web site at http://www.soaringsafety.org/. They have a web based course for tow pilots and wing runners that have become popular.
A member of the Crystal Squadron, Mike Koerner, won the Barringer Trophy.
Rick Howell was SSA Distance Award Gold Medallist, Bob Semans second, and Jim Payne third.
Karl Striedieck won the 2001 Hatcher Trophy.
Other convention notes:
It was my pleasure to introduce Al Leffler at his Soaring Hall of Fame induction. Congratulations, "Little Boy."
As I forecast last year, Ontario, California was warm and sunny. On Sunday we traveled home via USC to have lunch with Julie who is doing great. It was 84 deg in LA.
Steve Wasilowski, Jan Armstrong, and Ed Byars had a great team of speakers.
The 2003 convention will be in Dayton, OH on January 23 through 25 to celebrate of the100th anniversary of the Wright's first flight. The 2004 convention will likely be in Atlanta, GA.
Think wave,
Jim Payne
© 1998 Jim Payne