The old Aviation Safety Digests versus Flight Safety Australia Vive La Difference
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The old Aviation Safety Digests versus Flight Safety Australia Vive La Difference
Older Pprune readers will remember the Aviation Safety Digest magazine which was first published in 1951 and which became universally known as the Crash Comic. In 1964 Macarthur Job an air safety investigator took over the job as full time editor until he left DCA in 1978. I recently obtained almost a complete set of Aviation Safety Digests (ASD) and quickly noticed the marked contrast between the general content of the old ASD and the current crash comic Flight Safety Australia.
Each edition of ASD was packed with accident reports from Australian to overseas accidents.
The editorial work was superb and in many issues the editor condensed USA accident reports published by the National Transport Safety Board or NTSB as it is commonly known now, into a thoroughly informative well written narrative.
It is my view and those of close colleagues, that for many years the Flight Safety Australia magazine has been steadily sliding downhill since advertising was allowed and since graphic designers have been allowed full reign to show their undoubted technical skills. A whole new generation of pilots have never heard of or never seen a copies of the Aviation Safety Digests of old, and therefore don’t know what they have missed. Yet the type and cause of aircraft accidents has not changed. But the editorial content has changed beyond all recognition from the superb flight safety publication of the Fifties right through to the early Eighties.
Flight Safety Australia published in 2005 reveals over just two pages, five advertisements covering RMIT recruiting for managers, flying school ads selling training, other ads selling books and theory examinations, an ad for a National Aerospace Board inaugural meeting and another about obtaining ASIC cards. Flick through more pages of this “flight safety” magazine and see a half page ad for the flogging of Operations Manuals by a private company, a half page promotion ad for FSA “What went wrong” readers contributions, ads for dangerous goods courses, and four pages on airworthiness directives featuring such items as AD/CASA/26 Amdt 1-Steering System Hydraulic Installation and Boeing 747 AD/B747/130-aging aircraft Structural Inspection Programme Cancelled.
Hands up those who once eagerly devoured the pages of Aviation Safety Digest as soon as the postman delivered it to their doorstep. If it didn't arrive in time and your friends got theirs, you quickly got on the blower to DCA in Melbourne and complained bitterly your fix had not arrived on time.
Hands up now, those who look at the cover of Flight Safety Australia only when you get time to spare and flick quickly through the pages ignoring the plethora of glossy advertisements that are about as useful as a Target brochure and maybe go straight to the IFR quiz at the end. An occasional article may arise a passing interest. Where are the well written condensed NTSB accident reports that you could sit down and read and almost be in the captain’s seat as the 727 crashed short of the runway on a black night non-precision approach. Well, you certainly don’t see stuff like that anymore in FSA and more’s the pity.
The aviation internet is full of air safety reports if you have the mind to trawl through the NTSB and British AAIB web pages. But most pilots would prefer to read a dedicated flight safety magazine especially if free and interesting and delivered to your door, rather than spend the evening hunched over a computer screen.
It would be interesting to how many Pprune readers think the Flight Safety Australia magazine has lost the plot and needs a whole new approach. The first thing is to get rid of advertisements, self promotion, flashy meaningless graphic design artwork, letters to the editor, quizzes, aviation news that has appeared on the media months before, CASA hotline ads and so on.
When I obtained my set of old Aviation Safety Digests from my local Op shop I could not believe my luck. I would have willingly forked out ten times the amount of money I paid for them. They were gold to me. If someone offered for free the last ten years of Flight Safety Australia magazine I very much doubt I would be tempted to take them. The odd one maybe.
Each edition of ASD was packed with accident reports from Australian to overseas accidents.
The editorial work was superb and in many issues the editor condensed USA accident reports published by the National Transport Safety Board or NTSB as it is commonly known now, into a thoroughly informative well written narrative.
It is my view and those of close colleagues, that for many years the Flight Safety Australia magazine has been steadily sliding downhill since advertising was allowed and since graphic designers have been allowed full reign to show their undoubted technical skills. A whole new generation of pilots have never heard of or never seen a copies of the Aviation Safety Digests of old, and therefore don’t know what they have missed. Yet the type and cause of aircraft accidents has not changed. But the editorial content has changed beyond all recognition from the superb flight safety publication of the Fifties right through to the early Eighties.
Flight Safety Australia published in 2005 reveals over just two pages, five advertisements covering RMIT recruiting for managers, flying school ads selling training, other ads selling books and theory examinations, an ad for a National Aerospace Board inaugural meeting and another about obtaining ASIC cards. Flick through more pages of this “flight safety” magazine and see a half page ad for the flogging of Operations Manuals by a private company, a half page promotion ad for FSA “What went wrong” readers contributions, ads for dangerous goods courses, and four pages on airworthiness directives featuring such items as AD/CASA/26 Amdt 1-Steering System Hydraulic Installation and Boeing 747 AD/B747/130-aging aircraft Structural Inspection Programme Cancelled.
Hands up those who once eagerly devoured the pages of Aviation Safety Digest as soon as the postman delivered it to their doorstep. If it didn't arrive in time and your friends got theirs, you quickly got on the blower to DCA in Melbourne and complained bitterly your fix had not arrived on time.
Hands up now, those who look at the cover of Flight Safety Australia only when you get time to spare and flick quickly through the pages ignoring the plethora of glossy advertisements that are about as useful as a Target brochure and maybe go straight to the IFR quiz at the end. An occasional article may arise a passing interest. Where are the well written condensed NTSB accident reports that you could sit down and read and almost be in the captain’s seat as the 727 crashed short of the runway on a black night non-precision approach. Well, you certainly don’t see stuff like that anymore in FSA and more’s the pity.
The aviation internet is full of air safety reports if you have the mind to trawl through the NTSB and British AAIB web pages. But most pilots would prefer to read a dedicated flight safety magazine especially if free and interesting and delivered to your door, rather than spend the evening hunched over a computer screen.
It would be interesting to how many Pprune readers think the Flight Safety Australia magazine has lost the plot and needs a whole new approach. The first thing is to get rid of advertisements, self promotion, flashy meaningless graphic design artwork, letters to the editor, quizzes, aviation news that has appeared on the media months before, CASA hotline ads and so on.
When I obtained my set of old Aviation Safety Digests from my local Op shop I could not believe my luck. I would have willingly forked out ten times the amount of money I paid for them. They were gold to me. If someone offered for free the last ten years of Flight Safety Australia magazine I very much doubt I would be tempted to take them. The odd one maybe.
Last edited by Centaurus; 12th Sep 2008 at 12:29.
Totally agree - I barely even spend 2 minutes reading the current one when it turns up.
I was a student reading the crash comics on the flying school lunch table and they left a fair impression of what not to. Nowdays they show that if you look pretty, you don't even need to do up your tie....
The difference now is the internet - most of the reports are there on atsb.gov.au et al. I do agree that this is not as accessible as the old mags, but it would be a hard $$ justification to fill a mag sent to every pilot repeating this information.
Also - maybe I am cynical but if all the crashes are published in a mag, hey that would not look good for our industry would it?
Is this another motive?
I was a student reading the crash comics on the flying school lunch table and they left a fair impression of what not to. Nowdays they show that if you look pretty, you don't even need to do up your tie....
The difference now is the internet - most of the reports are there on atsb.gov.au et al. I do agree that this is not as accessible as the old mags, but it would be a hard $$ justification to fill a mag sent to every pilot repeating this information.
Also - maybe I am cynical but if all the crashes are published in a mag, hey that would not look good for our industry would it?
Is this another motive?
Grandpa Aerotart
I have a large pile of crash comics from the 60s to the 80s and they're a great read still.
I remember looking at a FSA mag that arrived with a intro to the small group (4 or 5) of people who put it together and my first thought was 'They don't look like they have 4000 TT between them'.
Therein lies the problem I think. Have any of them ever spent significant time in the real world of aviation or is their knowledge mostly theoretical?
And by real world I don't mean the circuit/training area/training navs ex YSBK.
I remember looking at a FSA mag that arrived with a intro to the small group (4 or 5) of people who put it together and my first thought was 'They don't look like they have 4000 TT between them'.
Therein lies the problem I think. Have any of them ever spent significant time in the real world of aviation or is their knowledge mostly theoretical?
And by real world I don't mean the circuit/training area/training navs ex YSBK.
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Yep still got all mine just missing a few early ones. I don't keep the new ones though. Lost interest when I read an article that proported to be a conversation on some issue between an instructor and trainee and soon realised it was all made up. They lost the plot when they were given the OK to get involved in 'pilot education' and now express opinions and pet theories. Wish they would just report facts.
The Flight Safety Magazine- your industry dollars at work. When I was working in a more remote part of the Territory back in the early 91, I came across a COMPLETE collection, yes even No. 1 Air Safety Digest. As far as I am concerned they are priceless. From when I first started in '85, I considered them a fantastic source of hard earned lessons. The editorial content and narrative offered much more than reading a sterile ATSB/AAIB report on the net. They brought the story to life- that is what made them the resource that they are. One day I will get around to digitising them, but that will only be to get them reprinted in hard copy. I guess we can chalk the demise of the ASD up to another victory for affordable safety.
Last edited by clear to land; 12th Sep 2008 at 14:17. Reason: Edited for content!!!!
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ASD
Yes, I have a complete collection from No1 dated July 1953 and I agree it is priceless. Have to agree with the above posts, especially the eager wait for the ASD to turn up in the mail and the frustration when it was late!
Sadly the demise of the ASD and the creation of FSA is the result of user pays and the failure of the Government and its respective departments to understand the value of providing such a journal. I seem to recall the ASD winning some international awards. Mac Job was an outstanding editor with a passion for the job. Sadly no body like that around now and the ATSB only gets a bit of a "shared" magazine.
Of interest is the following quote from the final edition of ASD #150 in 1991:
Mind you I think this Canberra speak was another way of saying we really don't want to pay for it any more!!
And of course we all know that the S in CASA should really be an "R". It is more about regulation than safety!
Sad...
Sadly the demise of the ASD and the creation of FSA is the result of user pays and the failure of the Government and its respective departments to understand the value of providing such a journal. I seem to recall the ASD winning some international awards. Mac Job was an outstanding editor with a passion for the job. Sadly no body like that around now and the ATSB only gets a bit of a "shared" magazine.
Of interest is the following quote from the final edition of ASD #150 in 1991:
The result of the survey we conducted to identify readres' wishes in relation to the continuation of the Digest, indicated inadequate support to warrant its continuation. However the CAA believes there is a need for the promulgation of information from time to time, and intends to provide that information in an enhanced version of the CAA News. I am sure that this publication, together with the BASI Journal, will provide an appropriate source of safety information for the aviation industry.
Signed Ron Cooper GM Safety Regulation & Standards Division
Signed Ron Cooper GM Safety Regulation & Standards Division
And of course we all know that the S in CASA should really be an "R". It is more about regulation than safety!
Sad...
They were a great mag - I used to work with some of the authors from the old DCA days. One former editor still writes for Australian Aviation Magazine (Macarthur Job) AUSTRALIAN AVIATION MAGAZINE - STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS
Some article extracts from the late 60s can be found at the links below:
http://www.aeros.com.au/Downloads/Sk...st%20Jan68.pdf
http://www.aeros.com.au/Downloads/In...st%20Jan68.pdf
http://www.aeros.com.au/Downloads/Gl...st%20Jan68.pdf
http://www.aeros.com.au/Downloads/Co...st%20Mar68.pdf
http://www.aeros.com.au/Downloads/Co...st%20Mar69.pdf
http://www.aeros.com.au/Downloads/Co...st%20Mar69.pdf
http://www.aeros.com.au/Downloads/Fa...st%20Mar69.pdf
Some article extracts from the late 60s can be found at the links below:
http://www.aeros.com.au/Downloads/Sk...st%20Jan68.pdf
http://www.aeros.com.au/Downloads/In...st%20Jan68.pdf
http://www.aeros.com.au/Downloads/Gl...st%20Jan68.pdf
http://www.aeros.com.au/Downloads/Co...st%20Mar68.pdf
http://www.aeros.com.au/Downloads/Co...st%20Mar69.pdf
http://www.aeros.com.au/Downloads/Co...st%20Mar69.pdf
http://www.aeros.com.au/Downloads/Fa...st%20Mar69.pdf
Once I approached a govt dept (can't remember if it was BASI or CAA) to put these old ASD's on DVD's, so that we could all access this valuable information.
Answer was mainly as to who would be responsible for it. ie no it's not our area..it must be somebody else. Talk about Yes Minister.
Just let me know if you want to transfer ownership of a full set.....to me
Answer was mainly as to who would be responsible for it. ie no it's not our area..it must be somebody else. Talk about Yes Minister.
Just let me know if you want to transfer ownership of a full set.....to me
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When I was a kid in the 80's, most kids read Archie or Batman comics - I read Dad's copy of the BASI Journal! I realised I was aerosexual at a young age...
Totally agree. FSA is missing the point. I have to get my fix off the ATSB website now.... but the thing I miss most is the Swamp cartoon strip that used to be on the last page!
Shame we cant lobby the powers that be to adjust their format to reflect what the avaition community is craving - solid information instead of a glossy advertisement. Just my opinion...
AGS99
Totally agree. FSA is missing the point. I have to get my fix off the ATSB website now.... but the thing I miss most is the Swamp cartoon strip that used to be on the last page!
Shame we cant lobby the powers that be to adjust their format to reflect what the avaition community is craving - solid information instead of a glossy advertisement. Just my opinion...
AGS99
Once I approached a govt dept....
Any interest?
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1st Class Reading!
I have only 8 years of aviation experience and have never seen the 'Crash Comics' as discussed. I find the FSA publication dull reading.
I downloaded the .pdf files as above and find them compelling and relevant. Why can't we get access to these old publications on CD or by direct web download? They are truly 1st class reading.
I downloaded the .pdf files as above and find them compelling and relevant. Why can't we get access to these old publications on CD or by direct web download? They are truly 1st class reading.
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
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Regrettably I do not have a full collection of the old ASD and wish I did! I remember that the old Gliding Club at which my late Father used to instruct recieved the Digest regularly and I always read them.
Like Compressor Stall I barely spend a few minutes reading the current mag. Generally turn to the IFR quiz and do that.
I'd be in that!
Like Compressor Stall I barely spend a few minutes reading the current mag. Generally turn to the IFR quiz and do that.
I'm no expert on copyright but I thought that Commonweath Govt copyright on published materials expired after 25 years. If that is correct, then all the old Digests could be scanned and legally made available on the Internet or on DVD.
Any interest?
Any interest?
An idea
Right - here's an idea.
We get a list of every issue of the old crash comics and post this in sticky a thread.
We find a free web hosting service (or a server with data to spare).
Those with crash comics put up a post stating the issues that they will scan to pdf. Maybe only a couple at a time - this saves doubling up. When complete they are uploaded to the webhosting service for all to peruse.
Then the first post on the sticky thread is amended to reflect those that are scanned. In time we should get the whole set.
Mods, how bout this for a plan?
We get a list of every issue of the old crash comics and post this in sticky a thread.
We find a free web hosting service (or a server with data to spare).
Those with crash comics put up a post stating the issues that they will scan to pdf. Maybe only a couple at a time - this saves doubling up. When complete they are uploaded to the webhosting service for all to peruse.
Then the first post on the sticky thread is amended to reflect those that are scanned. In time we should get the whole set.
Mods, how bout this for a plan?
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Tinpis
You are right again. Prune IS a valuable communication medium. Sure, there is some rubbish on here, but there is also a lot of good stuff. This should be the subject of a whole new discussion, on another thread
I have a lot of safety digests, and yes everything else had to wait when my ASD arrived. Nothing else got done until I had read it.
ASD had FACTS, well researched. Sure, the autumn issues had lots of articles abou icing and bad weather,with the coming winter in mind, and the summer issues concentrated on things like density altitude, aeroplane performance and required strip lengths etc.
One time there had been a spate of helicopter accidents and the ASD carried an article saying that Australia's helicopter fleet would all be crashed in the next few years if something did not change. That certainly got the attention of the helicopter operators.
But it reported FACTS.
I was absolutely disgusted with an article in FSA which told the story of a pilot who flew a fully loaded chieftain into known icing conditions with a malfunctioning engine, climbed to 10,000 feet and shut it down. He then had trouble controlling the aeroplane, and descended below LSA in cloud. I think he and his pax were lucky to survive.
The headline for this article was"THE RIGHT STUFF"
This was blamed on incorrect rigging of the flaps in the "up" position, and the "old" instruments. (ATSB found no fault with the instrument system.)
I think FSA is a propaganda medium, like my TV set.
I have a lot of safety digests, and yes everything else had to wait when my ASD arrived. Nothing else got done until I had read it.
ASD had FACTS, well researched. Sure, the autumn issues had lots of articles abou icing and bad weather,with the coming winter in mind, and the summer issues concentrated on things like density altitude, aeroplane performance and required strip lengths etc.
One time there had been a spate of helicopter accidents and the ASD carried an article saying that Australia's helicopter fleet would all be crashed in the next few years if something did not change. That certainly got the attention of the helicopter operators.
But it reported FACTS.
I was absolutely disgusted with an article in FSA which told the story of a pilot who flew a fully loaded chieftain into known icing conditions with a malfunctioning engine, climbed to 10,000 feet and shut it down. He then had trouble controlling the aeroplane, and descended below LSA in cloud. I think he and his pax were lucky to survive.
The headline for this article was"THE RIGHT STUFF"
This was blamed on incorrect rigging of the flaps in the "up" position, and the "old" instruments. (ATSB found no fault with the instrument system.)
I think FSA is a propaganda medium, like my TV set.
Right - here's an idea.
We get a list of every issue of the old crash comics and post this in sticky a thread.
We find a free web hosting service (or a server with data to spare).
Those with crash comics put up a post stating the issues that they will scan to pdf. Maybe only a couple at a time - this saves doubling up. When complete they are uploaded to the webhosting service for all to peruse.
Then the first post on the sticky thread is amended to reflect those that are scanned. In time we should get the whole set.
Mods, how bout this for a plan?
We get a list of every issue of the old crash comics and post this in sticky a thread.
We find a free web hosting service (or a server with data to spare).
Those with crash comics put up a post stating the issues that they will scan to pdf. Maybe only a couple at a time - this saves doubling up. When complete they are uploaded to the webhosting service for all to peruse.
Then the first post on the sticky thread is amended to reflect those that are scanned. In time we should get the whole set.
Mods, how bout this for a plan?
hosting is not an issue - easy, free immediate hosting these days through such places as rapidshare etc.
I remember back around 1995 doing a gliding course at Adelaide Soaring Club, one night I was bored & stumbled across quite a collection of ASD's in the club bar. Needless to say, I devoured just about every edition I could while I was there. Fantastic reading.
I dream of having the opportunity to one day have an original hardcopy set like some of the lucky buggars posting here have... I'd settle for just being able to get access to the content on digital versions though