Mentone 2004 Forums / seminars

[gyroplanes]

Yes I double posted. I wanted to make sure everyone had a chance to read this and reply. You may reply here (preferred) or by private e-mail gyroplanes@aol.com

I volunteered to head up the forums / seminars at the PRA convention this July. I have done this several years in the past but got frustrated because the location is not real conducive to learning. I welcome any and all ideas.

If you would like to speak, let me know.

If there is a subject you would like covered, let me know.

[barnstorm2]

Great picture! Do you have a higher res version?

[gyroplanes]

No one interested in seminars or forums?
Maybe not coming to Mentone 2004?
Help me out here !

[gyroplanes]

Right now there is a 95% chance one of my PRA convention dreams will come true this year.

Convention Chairman, Rick Marshall has located and rented an office type trailer in which to hold the forums this year. Rick said we should be able to hold all but the general membership meeting in there as well.

When I chaired the convention I conducted a poll to determine what it is that draws the members to the convention. First was to see what's new, the manufacturers latest offerings and what innovative accessories and gadgets adorn the members machines. Second was to learn something about rotorcraft, something that could ease the building time or maybe even save a life. This is the domain of the forums.

My dream has always been to have the forums in classroom setting, quiet and comfortable. Rick said this rental would be a trial to see if the idea would work. If it does, and I'm sure it will, we could consider purchasing a mobile classroom as permanent building on the Mentone airport.

I'm still open to suggestions as to the forums content. So far we have several manufacturers, a welding class, choosing a powerplant and certifying your aircaft. Many more to follow.

[Chuck Roberg]

How about a forum on airspace.

With the world we live in now and all the TFR's. I think a lesson for the "new" (pilots) and a Refresher for the "old" would be helpful.

[gyroblackwell]

I think there should be a forum on the future of PRA. The member count declines each year, and folks are loose interest. The newbies that show can benifit from this forum, and we may even gain new members. The PRA needs to start growing and needs to find ways to hold more fly-ins during the year and make them more appealing to more people. Just my 2 cents

[Dean_Dolph]

Tim, PRA growth starts and pretty much ends with the efforts of the Chapters. The organization, from top to bottom, is run by volunteers such as yourself. No one should be waiting for our people in Mentone to do the job for us.

If you have found the secret to not only signing new members but in retaining them we would all like to know it. Signing isn't the hard part but retention is. Some chapters are fortunate in having superior facilities and high-energy leaders with vision and are located in areas with a high population density. These chapters are the ones that have had sustained growth and member retention over the years. The rest of the chapters have struggled. It has been my observation, over the 35+ years I have been a member, that membership has been cyclic, some years it will grow and then it will drop.

The Mentone members meeting would be the place to discuss this but typically a members meeting, as Tom has mentioned, would be too large for a trailer. And the acoustics where the meeting is now held are terrible! It is my understanding that the Mentone Airport will be paid off in a few years and maybe a larger enclosed area for members meetings and forums/workshops will be considered. It would be expensive.

Since I've been a life member, PRA growth has always been a subject of discussion at the life members meeting. No one has come up with the magic means of making it happen yet. I do believe that a members meeting maybe valuable in helping to generate new ideas, but meaningful work will only be done in a smaller group of chapter officers. Attempts have been made in the past to have a Chapter officers meeting at the convention but it has never happened. So, while it might not fit the description of a forum, maybe Tom would be willing to schedule a Chapters meeting.

It has been years since there has been a meaningful members meeting and I would suggest that if the members have items they want to see discussed that they ask for them to be placed on the agenda. It probably needs to be done before the convention.

Hey, Tom, are you going to give one on what a DAR is and does?

[Rick Whittridge]

Tom, why don`t you have the forums in the Museum. I`m sure that Glenn can move the chairs out of the hanger into the museum.He might have to move some aircraft around but I believe this is our best choice.The best thing is we don`t have to rent anything ,we already have a nice building.If the noise is a issue you can pull the doors down. If you want to Rent something rent some COOOOOOOOOL Air ! Everybody likes to Cool down after being on the flightline most of the day.Just my thoughts!

[Dean]

Woould someone please tell me when Mentone is/was? Thanks

[Heron]

I'd like to think so . . .but changes are very slow and I never figured why . . .
We just need some trimig and grooming thats all . . .and more money. of course!
But I know someone took notes of all suggestions presented here in the Forum and its been discussed in the inner circle, right?
Right???
Heron

[Dean]

Mr. Dolph, Absolutely, I was vague, and please do not consider for a moment that I was trying to be disrespectcful. I believe gyros are the most exciting facet of aviation. I was, however, purposefully vague. I would love to see gyros gain respect and prosper through the industry, but as of yet, I have not been able to purchase one, due to financial reasons, and therefore, don't know if my suggestions would be taken seriously. Not being an actual flying part of the community(inner circle) has more than the obvious draw backs. Someday soon, I hope to change this. This industry can be much more than an esoteric pastime.
Respectfully, Dean
P.S. could anyone please tell me when/was Mentone? Thanks!

[ymmv]

... gyroplanes will never gain the respect and validity they deserve on this current course....This industry can be much more than an esoteric pastime.

Um ... forgive me, but: why? People with odd interests are forever worrying about "going mainstream" and "gaining the respect of the world/industry/general public/ whatever". This forum has had its share of handwringing to the tune of, "Oh, how can we ever get the rest of the aviation world to take us seriously?"

If it hasn't happened so far, it probably never will. Gyros are oddities and I can't see it ever being otherwise. But who cares?

[Vance]

Hi Dean, According to the PRA website, Mentone is July 21 thru July 24. I went for the first time last year and found it a very worthwile experance. I hope to see you there. Thank You, Vance

[Heron]

Dean www.pra.org. not the best but the only nowadays . . .sad!
heron

[Dean]

Ron and Vance, Thanks....I have had trouble getting PRA to load on my computer lately, that's why I asked....appreciate the replies!