The Season of "Retrospectives"

Dear Reader

Since the Modell Flugsport Foundation appointed Markus Nussbaumer as editor-in-chief this year, I’ve taken a back seat. By the way, are you one of those people who likes to read newspapers and magazines from back to front? I’ve been cultivating this quirky habit for some time now. Being at the very back for once is a welcome part of adult education. Don’t worry, I

certainly won’t be giving my own year-in-review. In my view, this is an increasingly backward-looking nuisance in business, politics, and associations anyway. Not infrequently, it’s heavily embellished with flashy graphics. The length and effort put into annual reports are often inversely proportional to what was actually accomplished. Long-winded sentences peppered with platitudes and empty phrases—endless—enough to make you yawn. But what I regret most is when reviews are extensive

than the outlooks, thereby giving the past greater weight than the future. Of course, our members are entitled to an “annual report.” What happens to our dues? It is precisely here that reports often fall short and remain largely vague. Ongoing, up-to-date reporting spread out over the year is more transparent and closer to the future. We must support young people in shaping the future. In this regard, guidance

is always better than lecturing. Conversely, I learn from our juniors at the airfield. It’s a great opportunity for which I’m grateful and which gives me hope for the future of our wonderful hobby. ■

Fellow aviators’ regards
, Emil Giezendanner

P.S.: You’ll find a great example under “Glider Acrobatics” on page 48.