Horrace (Hossfly),

You have hit the nail on the head with your letter. As you know there are some rough edges, but your idea is right on.

I too burned out as an instructor. It got to the point that I almost quit going to the field to fly. Each time I went, the newbies wanted help and I couldn't fly my own. BTW, I am retired also and this was during the day. I finally made the decision to quit instructing entirely and not to test fly anyones plane!

We have a club that ends the year at about 180 members. We teach approx 30 or more new ones each year. If the retention was so good, why isn't our membership really growing? Your point exactly.

Yes, due to attrition we loose some members and they are replaced by newbies. I roughly figure we retain about 1 out of ten for a three year period.

This year for the first time, no one will be the head instructor! Several have said they would assist but will not be the head guy.

I was getting ready to write a similar letter for our club newsletter but you have done it much better than I would have done. I would like your permission to submit your letter to our editor for publication, with credits of course.

Dan Thompson