best GA magazine?
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It's a matter of personal opinion. Mine is that 'Pilot' has lost the magic it had when owned by James Gilbert and edited by him and the old team. It's sad that that has happened, but probably inevitatble - the days of a totally independant and sometimes outspoken top selling magazine are probably over in this litigious and uniform (lack of characters
) age. still a good mag, though, and very like 'Flyer' now. I subscribe to both.
SSD
) age. still a good mag, though, and very like 'Flyer' now. I subscribe to both.SSD
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As a sunscriber to several magazines my advice is as follows:
If you're a wannabe "commercial" pilot buy Pilot and Flight International.
If you're a wannabe "private" pilot buy Pilot, Flyer or /and Today's Pilot (all very good).
If you just want to find out a bit more about aviation in general then you have done the right thing with Pilot. It covers a bit of everything. Training, personal GA experiences, classic flying, a/c for sale, a/c articles, heli's, micro's and those engineless things we can never see in the sky too.
I just wish I didn't have to receive a flippin' Transair catalogue inside every feckin month when it gets delivered!
As a sunscriber to several magazines my advice is as follows:
If you're a wannabe "commercial" pilot buy Pilot and Flight International.
If you're a wannabe "private" pilot buy Pilot, Flyer or /and Today's Pilot (all very good).
If you just want to find out a bit more about aviation in general then you have done the right thing with Pilot. It covers a bit of everything. Training, personal GA experiences, classic flying, a/c for sale, a/c articles, heli's, micro's and those engineless things we can never see in the sky too.
I just wish I didn't have to receive a flippin' Transair catalogue inside every feckin month when it gets delivered!
Sub Judice Angel Lovegod
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Although I am an occasional contributor to Flyer, I think that I can remain reasonably detached.
I would say that five years ago Pilot was hugely better than Flyer, especially in the variety and quality of material.
However, over those five years the quality and editorial values of Pilot has descended rapidly, while those of Flyer have improved, albeit more gradually. The last few issues of Flyer have really been very good, and I would say that Flyer is now definitely in the ascendancy.
Early editions of Todays Pilot were so bad that I haven't managed to bring myself to buy any more recently.
Will
I would say that five years ago Pilot was hugely better than Flyer, especially in the variety and quality of material.
However, over those five years the quality and editorial values of Pilot has descended rapidly, while those of Flyer have improved, albeit more gradually. The last few issues of Flyer have really been very good, and I would say that Flyer is now definitely in the ascendancy.
Early editions of Todays Pilot were so bad that I haven't managed to bring myself to buy any more recently.
Will
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WCollins, I must disagree with you - I find Today's Pilot to be a very informative read. It offers articles about a wide range of topics that appeal even to non-PPL holders such as myself. There's something in the magazine for everyone.
I admit to some bias as I do contribute to the magazine but I would hold the same opinion of its content regardless.
I have read other magazines and find Flyer to be pretty good, but Pilot is very lacklustre to my way of thinking, although I've always enjoyed the "I've learnt about flying from that" series. To each his own.
I admit to some bias as I do contribute to the magazine but I would hold the same opinion of its content regardless.
I have read other magazines and find Flyer to be pretty good, but Pilot is very lacklustre to my way of thinking, although I've always enjoyed the "I've learnt about flying from that" series. To each his own.
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At the moment I prefer Flyer - I think that Pilot had a major wobble a year or so ago, and although the quality has picked up quite a bit since then it isn't quite back where it was. I don't read Today's Pilot, but that's just because I already get Pilot, Flyer, Popular Flying and the American AOPA magazine... 
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futurshox
You are not really disagreeing with me...as I said, I haven't looked at it since the first two editions, which I am sure you will agree were pretty awful.
It may be great now...I don't know.
Will
You are not really disagreeing with me...as I said, I haven't looked at it since the first two editions, which I am sure you will agree were pretty awful.
It may be great now...I don't know.
Will
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IMHO of course:
Pilot - Was once the leader, now only good for a laugh at what the magazine 'experts' write. Aerohack, please come back and show them how..... The recent 'How to' on short landings was a classic!
Flight International - Best read from back to front
Today's Pilot - Was a bit of a spotters mag to start, but this months issue was excellent. A very good profile of Nigel Lamb, a good flight test of a Lake Buccaneer derivative, and some good classifieds. A fair mix of everything GA, and readable.
Flyer - Not bad, definately taken over from Pilot as THE GA mag.
Popular Flying - Ok if you like plastic aeroplanes and adverts.
The AOPA magazine is promising, but looks so much like Pilot magazine did just before it was sold to the Archant Group, that I think I AM reading Pilot Magazine!
As with everything, everyone will have different opinions. Best go and buy the lot and make your own mind up.
And I agree with Monocock, please stop inserting Transair catalogues with ever issue. If I want something from Transair, I know the number!
Talking of Popular Flying and Pilot, whatever happened to Peter Underhill? He of the flight tests dept....
Pilot - Was once the leader, now only good for a laugh at what the magazine 'experts' write. Aerohack, please come back and show them how..... The recent 'How to' on short landings was a classic!
Flight International - Best read from back to front
Today's Pilot - Was a bit of a spotters mag to start, but this months issue was excellent. A very good profile of Nigel Lamb, a good flight test of a Lake Buccaneer derivative, and some good classifieds. A fair mix of everything GA, and readable.
Flyer - Not bad, definately taken over from Pilot as THE GA mag.
Popular Flying - Ok if you like plastic aeroplanes and adverts.
The AOPA magazine is promising, but looks so much like Pilot magazine did just before it was sold to the Archant Group, that I think I AM reading Pilot Magazine!
As with everything, everyone will have different opinions. Best go and buy the lot and make your own mind up.
And I agree with Monocock, please stop inserting Transair catalogues with ever issue. If I want something from Transair, I know the number!
Talking of Popular Flying and Pilot, whatever happened to Peter Underhill? He of the flight tests dept....
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Talking of Popular Flying and Pilot, whatever happened to Peter Underhill? He of the flight tests dept....
Peter did wonders with 'Popular Flying', turning it from a worthy but dull publication into a real magazine that was a good read. I've not heard anything of him since he and the PFA parted company (don't want to go into that on this public forum) but would love to know if he's still involved in GA.
I was an occasional contributer to 'Pilot' in the James Gilbert era so maybe biased (I don't think so though - I wrote for the mag I most respected and felt closest too) and I too enjoyed Peter's flight tests.
SSD
Peter did wonders with 'Popular Flying', turning it from a worthy but dull publication into a real magazine that was a good read. I've not heard anything of him since he and the PFA parted company (don't want to go into that on this public forum) but would love to know if he's still involved in GA.
I was an occasional contributer to 'Pilot' in the James Gilbert era so maybe biased (I don't think so though - I wrote for the mag I most respected and felt closest too) and I too enjoyed Peter's flight tests.
SSD
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I must be in the minority then in thinking Pilot has picked up from a dodgy period a year or so ago and now a very good read. Was dubious about re-subscribing last year but lately, its the one I read cover to cover and I’ve just renewed my subs (gone for the watch offer too – which I may regret)
I subscribe to all three and get Popular Flying too (although I have zero interest in dihedro rocker-flanges so its generally in the recycle box before the weeks out).
Today’s Pilot is a bit in the wilderness between the big two but its still worth the three quid or whatever. I thought it had a niche in the learner, low-hour PPL but its trying to mimic Flyer and not succeeding.
I think we’re quite fortunate with the publications on offer.
I subscribe to all three and get Popular Flying too (although I have zero interest in dihedro rocker-flanges so its generally in the recycle box before the weeks out).
Today’s Pilot is a bit in the wilderness between the big two but its still worth the three quid or whatever. I thought it had a niche in the learner, low-hour PPL but its trying to mimic Flyer and not succeeding.
I think we’re quite fortunate with the publications on offer.
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The thing I like about Flyer is that it is willing to discuss matters relevant to modernisation, for example modern avionics, not generally publishing the standard utter drivel about GPS that most other pubs keep doing, and in particular its recent article about the FAA IR was great to read.
In fact I was astonished that a UK GA magazine would publish something which is bound to get up the CAA's nose as much as mentioning the FAA IR (and the N-reg of aircraft which that directly implies).
The other mags seem to be firmly in the days of WW1/WW2 flying which is fine for those operators and fans but in my view GA (or, more precisely, the £10 a time airfields and facilities we are all used to) will vanish unless it is dragged kicking and screaming into the 20th century (21st would be asking too much).
Unfortunately ALL the magazines regularly publish stuff which is simply wrong. A frequent example is discussing aspects of maintenance, without mentioning that most of what is mentioned is illegal unless the plane is on a Private CofA or a Permit. I suppose they assume that somebody reading it will know enough to know that. There is also a lot of stuff which is specific to a particular plane but definitely wrong for others, without this being said.
In fact I was astonished that a UK GA magazine would publish something which is bound to get up the CAA's nose as much as mentioning the FAA IR (and the N-reg of aircraft which that directly implies).
The other mags seem to be firmly in the days of WW1/WW2 flying which is fine for those operators and fans but in my view GA (or, more precisely, the £10 a time airfields and facilities we are all used to) will vanish unless it is dragged kicking and screaming into the 20th century (21st would be asking too much).
Unfortunately ALL the magazines regularly publish stuff which is simply wrong. A frequent example is discussing aspects of maintenance, without mentioning that most of what is mentioned is illegal unless the plane is on a Private CofA or a Permit. I suppose they assume that somebody reading it will know enough to know that. There is also a lot of stuff which is specific to a particular plane but definitely wrong for others, without this being said.
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The thing that gets me about GA mags, is there isn't really much to say that we should not already know. Pilot seems to get around this by discussing all'n'sundry. I always feel that Flyer and Today's Pilot (to some extent) is a little too much like a serialised Thom book with better pictures.
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Todays Pilot!!!
IMHO i found this months edition particularly awful. I picked it up with a great picture of the Lake aircraft on the cover. Quickly i flick to the article. Great pictures. I start reading.
Being a low hour PPL i would like to see how it compares to what i know Cessna's PA-28's etc. What i find is an egotistical boast of the authors/pilots ability. Soon i grow tired and bored of a pilot that is blowing his own trumpet.
I found this particular authors jounralism diabolical. I really wish i could fly that partcular aircraft and am interested in finding out how. The answer i was given was, you're not able to fly this aircraft and i am so HA!
It is all to do with personal opinion and this authors writing style was very showing of his own personality.
Its a shame that my views were tainted, a found a good article on flying over London later on.
Flight International i find a good impartial read that gives a great insight into the operation of the industry.
Another inarticulate and misunderstood post
Geez
Being a low hour PPL i would like to see how it compares to what i know Cessna's PA-28's etc. What i find is an egotistical boast of the authors/pilots ability. Soon i grow tired and bored of a pilot that is blowing his own trumpet.
I found this particular authors jounralism diabolical. I really wish i could fly that partcular aircraft and am interested in finding out how. The answer i was given was, you're not able to fly this aircraft and i am so HA!
It is all to do with personal opinion and this authors writing style was very showing of his own personality.
Its a shame that my views were tainted, a found a good article on flying over London later on.
Flight International i find a good impartial read that gives a great insight into the operation of the industry.
Another inarticulate and misunderstood post
Geez
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Apart from Flight International, I think they are all 'comics' (no offense to the Beano intended.)
In every mag I've had the misfortune to read I've found at least one serious error.
The worst was a couple of years ago when Pilot (I think) printed an article about revalidation of the PPL, but got it totally wrong. For nearly a year we had to defend the AIC "'cos that not what it said in Pilot......"
I had a flick through Pilot today and was bored within a couple of minutes. This is a record since I usually can amuse myself with anything about aviation. My girlfriend dispairs since I have a copy of 'Turbo and Supercharging' next to the bed. (No smart comments please!!) So if I can't be amused, then there is something seriously wrong.
Since we're moaning about them, what could the mag's do to interest all of us here?
In every mag I've had the misfortune to read I've found at least one serious error.
The worst was a couple of years ago when Pilot (I think) printed an article about revalidation of the PPL, but got it totally wrong. For nearly a year we had to defend the AIC "'cos that not what it said in Pilot......"
I had a flick through Pilot today and was bored within a couple of minutes. This is a record since I usually can amuse myself with anything about aviation. My girlfriend dispairs since I have a copy of 'Turbo and Supercharging' next to the bed. (No smart comments please!!) So if I can't be amused, then there is something seriously wrong.
Since we're moaning about them, what could the mag's do to interest all of us here?
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Well, I get all three major GA mags plus Popular Flying, I too lament the demise ofthe 'old' Pilot and find all three pretty equal these days. I rate them at about 6/10 with each having a few articles worth reading in each month. I have a good laugh at the 'how to' sections - does anyone that that seriously?
I hate to say it, but PF isn't great. It takes me about an hour to read from cover to cover with the standard of writing, in general, being poor.
Kingy
I hate to say it, but PF isn't great. It takes me about an hour to read from cover to cover with the standard of writing, in general, being poor.
Kingy
I have been a long time Pilot reader. It certainly had a rough patch last year but is coming back although IMHO it will never equal the Gilbert days. In any case the worst UK flying mag is still better than the best North American periodical. FLYING in particular has to be the biggest disapointment. Oh for the glory days of the Seventies when the likes of Gann, Garrison, Park, Baxter and Gilbert were regular contributers. I still reread those old issues just for the sheer enjoyment of great aviation writing.
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I subscribe to both Todays Pilot and Flyer and looking to take out a subscription for Pilot. I find that having all three, I have a greater chance of finding something interesting to read each month.
I really don't think that any one magazine is better than the other because they all seem to cover, more or less, the same topics.
I really don't think that any one magazine is better than the other because they all seem to cover, more or less, the same topics.