Genghis the Engineer
8th Jul 2005, 14:19
Firstly, take a look at this (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/publishorbedamned.shtml)
I've written for various of the main aerospace journals, as I'm sure have various people here. I'm also a specialist editor for one - the journal of aerospace engineering who send me anything with a light aviation content (as well as one or two that I didn't understand a word of).
But, frankly I can't afford to actually subscribe to any of these journals, and even to download papers from "Aeronautical Journal" costs me money. I rather begrudge this, when the author and editor have both given their time for free and in that case I'm a full member of the publishing society as well.
Some others are more helpful, but an SETP paper for example is very hard to get your hands on unless you are an SETP member and whilst it's not expensive to be a member of, the professional entry requirements are somewhat onerous.
Is it time somebody, somehow, tried putting together an online peer-reviewed journal - let's for the sake of argument call it something like "technical aerospace", allowing:-
(1) Those who want to put their work in the public domain the opportunity of much wider distribution.
(2) Those who want to read papers, a chance to without bankrupting themselves.
Possibly it could be broken up into sub-journals, all accessible online - to coin a few possible titles?
- Flight test
- Aeroplane design
- Helicopter design and operations
- Pilot training
- Meteorology
and so on...
Clearly, standards would have to be as high as anywhere else, or it would be pointless (which means peer review panels et al). But, is this worthwhile?, and if so, where is the place to start the ball rolling? Pprune?, RAeS? AIAA? Where?
G
I've written for various of the main aerospace journals, as I'm sure have various people here. I'm also a specialist editor for one - the journal of aerospace engineering who send me anything with a light aviation content (as well as one or two that I didn't understand a word of).
But, frankly I can't afford to actually subscribe to any of these journals, and even to download papers from "Aeronautical Journal" costs me money. I rather begrudge this, when the author and editor have both given their time for free and in that case I'm a full member of the publishing society as well.
Some others are more helpful, but an SETP paper for example is very hard to get your hands on unless you are an SETP member and whilst it's not expensive to be a member of, the professional entry requirements are somewhat onerous.
Is it time somebody, somehow, tried putting together an online peer-reviewed journal - let's for the sake of argument call it something like "technical aerospace", allowing:-
(1) Those who want to put their work in the public domain the opportunity of much wider distribution.
(2) Those who want to read papers, a chance to without bankrupting themselves.
Possibly it could be broken up into sub-journals, all accessible online - to coin a few possible titles?
- Flight test
- Aeroplane design
- Helicopter design and operations
- Pilot training
- Meteorology
and so on...
Clearly, standards would have to be as high as anywhere else, or it would be pointless (which means peer review panels et al). But, is this worthwhile?, and if so, where is the place to start the ball rolling? Pprune?, RAeS? AIAA? Where?
G