Other gliding clubs had from time to time considered the concept of a trailer mounted display instead of using an operational sailplane, but in each case it was beyond the resources of an individual club to carry this idea through.

A proposal was raised in the S.A. Gliding Association by the Sunraysia Gliding Club about the regional organisation being the source for building a static display for use by all member clubs.

Other clubs agreed with the concept but for lack of resources nothing could be activated.

By 1994 such a unit was assembled by getting together both enthusiastic volunteers and using predominantly in-kind resources as a base.

This display unit used:-

• - a surplus glider trailer donated by the Adelaide University Gliding Club,
• - the cockpit portion from a single seat syndicate glider donated,
• - individual instruments donated from a number of individuals, plus
• - about $2,000 from the South Australian Gliding Association for construction materials; and
• - the work by half a dozen volunteers over a period of about 2 months.

The unit which evolved from this base has been in use since by a number of clubs as an unattended display at public venues, and as a public focus point at contest venues.

Only occasionally will an individual new glider pilot refer to having seen the "EMU" at a public venue (and access to state association information leaflets there) to have been the trigger to going to a gliding club.

Generally the unit simply allows clubs to promote their existence with less effort than rigging a full sailplane.

"EMU" has in use already had the canopy hinge assembly, pedal adjust system, instrument panel mount and trailer lights broken at such displays.

Some commentators within the sport have assessed the unit to be unsatisfactory for use, particularly with its amateur finish and flat wrap canopy. Thus "EMU" does not adequately represent those clubs who define 'gliding' to embody a sophistication and status embraced by a consumer society.

The unit has had most use from small amateur clubs who report positive results including children jostling to 'fly' it, and fathers explaining flight theory (to varying degrees of accuracy) to their kids at the unit. Others report adults are willing to sit in such a mock-up when refusing to sit in a 'real' sailplane for fear of harming anything.

From the operational standpoint the state association income consists of a small rental fee from clubs using the unit which covers the annual registration/public insurance direct outgoings. There are no funds or income stream to underwrite further development of the unit

The prominent benefit of the unit is the access opportunity made available to the public without resource demand on gliding beyond the display unit set up and dismantling, and stocking of information leaflets.