Pilot Magazine
Originally Posted by Sir Niall Dementia
Some of the best ever articles were by Brian Lecomber, who really should pick up his typewriter again
Also fully agree about Bernard Chabbert's articles - when they were in Pilot, I used to turn to those first.
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Outside of the wannabe pilot circles, I suspect the average young person that could be a potential GA hobbyist just simply isn't aware of its existence- most airfield with a flying club are in the middle of nowhere after all, and GA rarely makes an appearance in the mainstream media unless there's a fatal accident of course.
Last edited by soaringhigh650; 31st May 2012 at 11:54.
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I also have no sympathy for the magazines, they really do need to improve the quality of articles.
I find that the trip reports focus heavily on the 'how the experience felt' and about the airfields, but really doesn't go into enough background about the planning and operational aspect of the flight. As a lesser experienced pilot, I enjoy some of the US magazine articles which go into quite a lot of depth, talking about the planning, procedures and approaches. They seem to be designed to be more intellectual, and less a few photos and how the coffee tasted.
I just hope that the magazines are listening...
I find that the trip reports focus heavily on the 'how the experience felt' and about the airfields, but really doesn't go into enough background about the planning and operational aspect of the flight. As a lesser experienced pilot, I enjoy some of the US magazine articles which go into quite a lot of depth, talking about the planning, procedures and approaches. They seem to be designed to be more intellectual, and less a few photos and how the coffee tasted.
I just hope that the magazines are listening...
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I find that the trip reports focus heavily on the 'how the experience felt' and about the airfields, but really doesn't go into enough background about the planning and operational aspect of the flight.
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So I am sure you will all tell me why I am wrong, but as someone who is just learning to fly, I tried flyer and pilot, read some online stuff, and ended up subscribing to Pilot.
Whilst there are some articles that don't grab me, overall I really like it. I think the articles are well-written, if not quite up to the standard of more professional publications. Admittedly there is little technical content, which is a shame, and I would like more features, rather than the snippets about "warbirds" etc, but it really is quite good.
Moreover, its definitely improved in the last year. I think it started getting better at about the same time it merged with "Today;s Pilot".
All that said, there is room for a more technical magazine, and definitely room for something about self-building...although I suppose that is the LAA magazine which I don't get as I am not a member.
By comparison, other magazines I have read/subcribed to
Motorbike magazines. Nearly all written by people who can't string two words together, and are only interested in going 200mph. The only one that was better was Motorcycle Sport and Leisure, but I gave up after a while anyway.
Kitcar magazines. Way too technical most of the time
Sailing magazines. Split into three camps. Intelligent ones (yachting monthly and PBO), speed freaks (yachts and yachting) and "You don't have enough money to read this magazine, let alone sail (yachting world).
There was an electronic flying magazine that ran for a few months, put together by a 16 year old, which I was amazed with the quality, given his age. However, I suspect GCSE and A levels took over, and he doesn't do it anymore.
Oh yes, and one final mention...have you read the BMAA mag recently....it has got so much better, its a reason to become a member all by itself!
Whilst there are some articles that don't grab me, overall I really like it. I think the articles are well-written, if not quite up to the standard of more professional publications. Admittedly there is little technical content, which is a shame, and I would like more features, rather than the snippets about "warbirds" etc, but it really is quite good.
Moreover, its definitely improved in the last year. I think it started getting better at about the same time it merged with "Today;s Pilot".
All that said, there is room for a more technical magazine, and definitely room for something about self-building...although I suppose that is the LAA magazine which I don't get as I am not a member.
By comparison, other magazines I have read/subcribed to
Motorbike magazines. Nearly all written by people who can't string two words together, and are only interested in going 200mph. The only one that was better was Motorcycle Sport and Leisure, but I gave up after a while anyway.
Kitcar magazines. Way too technical most of the time
Sailing magazines. Split into three camps. Intelligent ones (yachting monthly and PBO), speed freaks (yachts and yachting) and "You don't have enough money to read this magazine, let alone sail (yachting world).
There was an electronic flying magazine that ran for a few months, put together by a 16 year old, which I was amazed with the quality, given his age. However, I suspect GCSE and A levels took over, and he doesn't do it anymore.
Oh yes, and one final mention...have you read the BMAA mag recently....it has got so much better, its a reason to become a member all by itself!
I've been a Pilot reader for nearly thirty years and a subscriber for much of that.
I cancelled my subscription last month.
I've been an occasional FLYER reader for some time - Mr Lecomber's writing is as sublime and entertaining as his flying - and will probably now subscribe, I find much more to read about there and think that the standard of articles just keeps getting better as those of its only rival nosedive for the dirt - in my opinion the point at which Pilot merged with Today's Pilot was the point at which the death rattle stopped and there were no further signs of life from dear old Pilot mag.
I cancelled my subscription last month.
I've been an occasional FLYER reader for some time - Mr Lecomber's writing is as sublime and entertaining as his flying - and will probably now subscribe, I find much more to read about there and think that the standard of articles just keeps getting better as those of its only rival nosedive for the dirt - in my opinion the point at which Pilot merged with Today's Pilot was the point at which the death rattle stopped and there were no further signs of life from dear old Pilot mag.
Perhaps the only thing that the magazines currently do which I really enjoy and don't find much in other places, is the 'worst-day' or 'I learned about flying from that' type articles.
It must be really hard to produce an aviation magazine every month - there just isn't that much to write about. I subscribe to Flying ($12/yr!) and also get the AOPA mag - they make a nice 30 minute distraction when I get home from work. I generally pick up one of the UK mags when I'm there, and sometimes the French ones also. But what do you write? Comparing with a car mag, there are always new cars coming out, and zillions of classic cars to write about. How often does a new aircraft appear on the market? People are still salivating over the SR20/22, which is now 15 years old. You can guarantee that around NOvember there'll be an article about winter flying, then icing in December, getting current again after a long break in March, density altitude in July (not in the UK of course!), and so on.
There's actually a lot going on in the GA world in the US right now - lots of new gadgets (iPad etc), the change to ADS-B, unleaded fuel... but it tends to happen at a glacial pace for a monthly magazine.
The UK is even harder - much smaller community, totally unsupportive environment.
Flying isn't THAT bad. The emphasis on turbine aircraft is a bit annoying, but it's just like the car mags writing about Ferraris - it's interesting even if you can't afford one. Peter Garrison is good. The unspeakable Dick Karl ("poor me, I can't afford a jet") remains as unspeakable as ever, but you don't HAVE to read his stuff.
Just my 2p...
There's actually a lot going on in the GA world in the US right now - lots of new gadgets (iPad etc), the change to ADS-B, unleaded fuel... but it tends to happen at a glacial pace for a monthly magazine.
The UK is even harder - much smaller community, totally unsupportive environment.
Flying isn't THAT bad. The emphasis on turbine aircraft is a bit annoying, but it's just like the car mags writing about Ferraris - it's interesting even if you can't afford one. Peter Garrison is good. The unspeakable Dick Karl ("poor me, I can't afford a jet") remains as unspeakable as ever, but you don't HAVE to read his stuff.
Just my 2p...
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Pilot has been going downhill for years.
I always enjoyed reading the Alan Branson Flight test reports. Nobody near his mark seemed to be able to replace his or others style.
Concur with what others have said, its full of advertising with glossy flyers.
And give up with placing any classified there. Whilst they apologise in the first month of getting the ad wrong and offering half price.
They carry on subsequent months with the identical c/u
I always enjoyed reading the Alan Branson Flight test reports. Nobody near his mark seemed to be able to replace his or others style.
Concur with what others have said, its full of advertising with glossy flyers.
And give up with placing any classified there. Whilst they apologise in the first month of getting the ad wrong and offering half price.
They carry on subsequent months with the identical c/u
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AOPA Magazine
Hi Guys,
I have just read through three pages of posts on the subject of 'Pilot' and how it compares with various other magazines, including sailing and motoring magazines, and NOBODY has even mentioned AOPA's magazine.
Now I haven't flown for several years (for a succession of reasons including pressure of work, medical and financial ones) and so finally resigned my membership of AOPA about a year ago. If I should eventually manage to resume flying (unlikely) then I shall definitely resume membership of AOPA.
However, certainly up until the time I left AOPA, their magazine was vastly better than anything else on the market, especially for the UK pilot, but nobody here even mentions it. This is especially surprising bearing in mind that a student pilot joining AOPA gets the magazine free for a year.
Is this because AOPA's magazine has declined in quality so precipitately in the last year that doesn't even merit a mention, (very hard to believe,) or is it because AOPA's membership is now in decline at a time when GA needs AOPA more than ever it did and hence nobody here is receiving their magazine?
BP.
I have just read through three pages of posts on the subject of 'Pilot' and how it compares with various other magazines, including sailing and motoring magazines, and NOBODY has even mentioned AOPA's magazine.
Now I haven't flown for several years (for a succession of reasons including pressure of work, medical and financial ones) and so finally resigned my membership of AOPA about a year ago. If I should eventually manage to resume flying (unlikely) then I shall definitely resume membership of AOPA.
However, certainly up until the time I left AOPA, their magazine was vastly better than anything else on the market, especially for the UK pilot, but nobody here even mentions it. This is especially surprising bearing in mind that a student pilot joining AOPA gets the magazine free for a year.
Is this because AOPA's magazine has declined in quality so precipitately in the last year that doesn't even merit a mention, (very hard to believe,) or is it because AOPA's membership is now in decline at a time when GA needs AOPA more than ever it did and hence nobody here is receiving their magazine?
BP.
Last edited by BroomstickPilot; 4th Feb 2013 at 10:06.
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As contributing editor of AOPA magazine I would like to think that the magazine goes from strength to strength. Pat Malone the editor works very hard to commission a wide variety of articles that are relevant to the GA membership of AOPA.
I have have both written and commissioned a very eclectic range of articles for the magazine over the years and am always interested in submissions.
I have have both written and commissioned a very eclectic range of articles for the magazine over the years and am always interested in submissions.
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further to "LOOP"....On it's introduction, it was free,
The adverts actually subsidise almostANY magazine and Loop was no exception. Then they introduced a Rotary mag.(Blades?) And an executive jet mag........... Suddenly, the miniscule UK GA scene had a proliferation of titles which all needed unique copy. Added to this, Loop became Subscription. I, and I suspect a lot of others simply decided the interest and entertainment -value wasn't there.
I did get a once-a year free copy of the PFA/LAA publication and consider that as a part if LAA membership,it would be excellent value.
I don't even read Loop online with any regularity, never buy any Aviation mags. but via the "Aviatrix" Blog, found PPrune and recently. the other GA site where several well -known PPrune names reside.
The editorial of any publication is vital to it's survival, Advertisers want a targeted market for their outlay and this will only happen if that audience is sufficiently motivated to put their hand in their pocket.
Going by current form, there are several titles which cannot survive.
The adverts actually subsidise almostANY magazine and Loop was no exception. Then they introduced a Rotary mag.(Blades?) And an executive jet mag........... Suddenly, the miniscule UK GA scene had a proliferation of titles which all needed unique copy. Added to this, Loop became Subscription. I, and I suspect a lot of others simply decided the interest and entertainment -value wasn't there.
I did get a once-a year free copy of the PFA/LAA publication and consider that as a part if LAA membership,it would be excellent value.
I don't even read Loop online with any regularity, never buy any Aviation mags. but via the "Aviatrix" Blog, found PPrune and recently. the other GA site where several well -known PPrune names reside.
The editorial of any publication is vital to it's survival, Advertisers want a targeted market for their outlay and this will only happen if that audience is sufficiently motivated to put their hand in their pocket.
Going by current form, there are several titles which cannot survive.
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Flying - I enjoy it. Long gone are the days when Gordon Baxter wrote poetic and wistful columns and it's become a little bit more corporate now. I miss really good writing in it. I understand why they have to have drool-worthy PC12's or Learjet 60XR's on every cover, but it would be nice to see a little more affordable fare once in awhile. Just re-test/fly older aircraft. They either swing from Super Cubs on the cover as one extreme, or to the other and fly a G650. It's like the middle never gets mentioned. But that's a small gripe.
AOPA Pilot - actually a pretty good magazine. I have no complaints, except it gets a little too caught up in AOPA itself at times. Little more flying and less selling.
EAA Sport Aviatior - pretty good, but obviously geared towards homebuilts more. Can get a bit warbird heavy at times.
Plane & Pilot - always a little thin on material, but I enjoy reading about Brian Cox's various ferry flights all over the world.
Flyer and Pilot - I don't subscribe, but buy them every time I get to the UK, which is pretty often. I used to like Today's Pilot a lot, because it felt like a modern flying magazine. It was also a lot better and cleaner designed. My main gripe with the current ones are just how hideously designed and laid out they are. Real student paper errors frequently occur - images that have been uprezzed and get jagged because they've been snatched on the net somewhere, or placements of ads that are not up to scratch etc - just adds to feel of cheapness.
Generally:
A criticism of most magazines, but it's a personal one, is that they're too warbird heavy at times. Im not very interested in reading the 1200th article about how cool the Spitfire is, to be honest. But a I realise this is me - I'm utterly disinterested in military flying and fighters etc. I'm sure they're fun, but my dream was never to fly an F18.
I also really miss a news/new product spread in the beginning where all the latest proposed designs/rumours of new aircraft etc get shown. A bit like all the car magazines have where they show spy photos, or design studies, or concept cars etc. That'd be cool. Today's Pilot had that and that's why I always liked that magazine.
I'd like to read more trip reports with planning etc, or extreme flying. I'd like to read about long ferry flights, flying in bad weather against all odds, stuff like that. "Across the Andes in a Cri-Cri" or something. Stories that add a sense of adventure and even some danger. Or just odd types. Not just a trip report to Cannes in a club PA28 where half the article waxes lyrically about the food in so and so village restaurant.
AOPA Pilot - actually a pretty good magazine. I have no complaints, except it gets a little too caught up in AOPA itself at times. Little more flying and less selling.
EAA Sport Aviatior - pretty good, but obviously geared towards homebuilts more. Can get a bit warbird heavy at times.
Plane & Pilot - always a little thin on material, but I enjoy reading about Brian Cox's various ferry flights all over the world.
Flyer and Pilot - I don't subscribe, but buy them every time I get to the UK, which is pretty often. I used to like Today's Pilot a lot, because it felt like a modern flying magazine. It was also a lot better and cleaner designed. My main gripe with the current ones are just how hideously designed and laid out they are. Real student paper errors frequently occur - images that have been uprezzed and get jagged because they've been snatched on the net somewhere, or placements of ads that are not up to scratch etc - just adds to feel of cheapness.
Generally:
A criticism of most magazines, but it's a personal one, is that they're too warbird heavy at times. Im not very interested in reading the 1200th article about how cool the Spitfire is, to be honest. But a I realise this is me - I'm utterly disinterested in military flying and fighters etc. I'm sure they're fun, but my dream was never to fly an F18.
I also really miss a news/new product spread in the beginning where all the latest proposed designs/rumours of new aircraft etc get shown. A bit like all the car magazines have where they show spy photos, or design studies, or concept cars etc. That'd be cool. Today's Pilot had that and that's why I always liked that magazine.
I'd like to read more trip reports with planning etc, or extreme flying. I'd like to read about long ferry flights, flying in bad weather against all odds, stuff like that. "Across the Andes in a Cri-Cri" or something. Stories that add a sense of adventure and even some danger. Or just odd types. Not just a trip report to Cannes in a club PA28 where half the article waxes lyrically about the food in so and so village restaurant.
Last edited by AdamFrisch; 5th Feb 2013 at 00:13.
Strangely enough, I was called yesterday afternoon by Pilot magazine to remind me that my subscription is due for renewal after the March issue. I told the chap on the other end of the phone that I would not be renewing as I found the magazine had become rather boring. He thanked me very much, apologised for disturbing me and rang off.
I got the impression that this was far from the first time that he had heard the "boring" comment.
I got the impression that this was far from the first time that he had heard the "boring" comment.
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Strangely enough, I was called yesterday afternoon by Pilot magazine to remind me that my subscription is due for renewal after the March issue.
D.O.
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'Bloom'ing cheek!
You are lucky. I had decided not to renew but did not get a call. £37.99 straight out of the bank account. They have promised they will refund £34 in 28 days as the March issue is "in the system."
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You can get LOOP and its fellow magazines downloadable through a free app for the iPad. It's a bit gadgety to read but there are usually some interesting articles in there, and nothing to complain about cos it's free!
I liked the AOPA magazine a long time ago when I had a subscription, but the problem is that it costs so much to be a member / subscribe; along with all the other organisations that could be considered it just got too much.
I do read the LAA magazine which is usually reasonable value for money, imo.
I liked the AOPA magazine a long time ago when I had a subscription, but the problem is that it costs so much to be a member / subscribe; along with all the other organisations that could be considered it just got too much.
I do read the LAA magazine which is usually reasonable value for money, imo.