A new era for Sport Aviation?

Bob Axsom · #1 01-05-2011, 01:15 PM

I have become progressively more of a scanner than a reader of Sport Aviation since Jack Cox retired and I noted that J. MAC McClellan had come to the magazine from FLYING. I stopped my subscription to FLYING long ago so I didn't see this as anything to get excited about - more negative if anything. I read the thread in this forum about the Cessna 182 in a Sport Aviation article and added my unenthusiastic post. But a funny thing happened with this month's (January 2011) magazine - I started reading it! Things in it are actually interesting to me for the first time in years. "The Scratchbuilt Racord-Breaker" about "Arnold Ebnether's speedy design: 52 years in the making" broke the ice I think. I even read MAC's article about his move from New York back to Michigan and enjoyed it. I'm going to check out the Sheet Metal Bending Brake while I eat lunch I think.

I have grown tired of reading material that seems like it is written by dreamy sophomores for bewildered freshmen. I hope this move by the EAA works out - I would like to look forward to the magazine again.

Bob Axsom

Geico266 · #2 01-05-2011, 01:52 PM

I hope you are right Bob, and I will give my copy a second look. Lately, I have spent more time reading and being more satisified reading the Harbor Freight Sales ad.

Phil · #3 01-05-2011, 02:06 PM

Yeah. The content has really improved since the new format came out about a year ago. I hope you didn't throw away all of your old ones.

elippse · #4 01-05-2011, 04:26 PM

I get copies from a friend since I quit EAA years ago after being a member since '56 or '57, #4116. I wrote them on several occasions expressing my regret that since Tommy had taken over the magazine in 1984 it became more of a desire to make it a commercial piece rather than something concentrating on Experimental aviation as Paul had originally done; I felt they had lost their first love! Look at the back of your membership card and it no longer says Experimental Aviation Association but simply EAA, as Tommy didn't like the word "experimental" and its implied association. So I get fed by Jack Cox's Sportsman Pilot magazine and Pat Panzera's Contact! magazine. It was Pat and his on-line Experimenter who got EAA somewhat back on track.

L.Adamson · #5 01-05-2011, 06:08 PM

Happily for me..........I liked J. MAC McClellan's articles while at Flying magazine. And I still like Flying, as I previously said, in the last thread..... as I still dream of a Cessna Citation 10..

L.Adamson --- RV6A

Bob Axsom · #6 01-05-2011, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil

Yeah. The content has really improved since the new format came out about a year ago. I hope you didn't throw away all of your old ones.

I scanned them saw nothing of interest usually and threw them in the trash when the next issue arrived. I prefer the older version as far as size and finish is concerned but until this last issue I found them to be of almost no interest to me personally. I like to read about real builders and experimenters out there and what very special things they are doing today in depth and personal. There are real stories out there about great personal airplane development efforts that are not researched, reported and followed up.

- What is the current status of the homebuilt reduced scale P-38 today - not for all the fantasy reasons but personal, technical and performance.

- The glass RV-7 built by Myron Jenkins - how was it developed and were any performance data collected before the fatal crash?

- Russell Sherwood's Subaru powered Glasair with the unique cooling system that few 244.9 mph in a closed course cross country race. How did he develop it, what is the state of development, etc.?

Bob Axsom

plehrke · #7 01-05-2011, 09:17 PM

I have commented before on Sport Aviation but thought I would add a new thought to the discusion. Everybody likes the old SA due to all the articles on real people building in their garage. But remember the times way back then, no internet. A lot of the builder tips, how-tos, and building logs are covered in internet forums and builder web pages. It is all out there to read every day and not wait for the monthly magazine to arrive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Axsom

I like to read about real builders and experimenters out there and what very special things they are doing today in depth and personal. There are real stories out there about great personal airplane development efforts that are not researched, reported and followed up.

Bob, that is one thing that forums and builder websites do not provide is the interesting, well written, 3rd party perspective narrative that will tell a great story. Of coarse there are some people on this forum that write great stories and trip write ups. Instead of wondering why all the current magazine no longer have all this good stuff I now look forward to reading stuff on this forum (and builders links) every night. If I want to know something I can find it right away and no longer need to look though old magazines or wait/hope next months issue will have a useful article.
Times have changed and all magazines are stuggling with how to keep readership.

apkp777 · #8 01-06-2011, 07:45 AM

Well, whether you like it or not, time marches on! Things change, it's just inevitable. You can dig your heels in all you want but it's just futile.

EAA is diluted with non-builders, but populated with enthusiasts. I've been in Aviation a long time, I too "remember the good ol days". There never coming back. My suggestion is read what you like, support your local Chapter and write letters to the Editor. I preferred the old format, but no one asked me if it was okay to change it.

I still look forward to getting it. Since 99.9% of my mail is depressing, once a month there is a little ray of light.

Just my thoughts. Shoot me if you like!

Bob Axsom · #9 01-06-2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apkp777

Well, whether you like it or not, time marches on! Things change, it's just inevitable. You can dig your heels in all you want but it's just futile.

EAA is diluted with non-builders, but populated with enthusiasts. I've been in Aviation a long time, I too "remember the good ol days". There never coming back. My suggestion is read what you like, support your local Chapter and write letters to the Editor. I preferred the old format, but no one asked me if it was okay to change it.

I still look forward to getting it. Since 99.9% of my mail is depressing, once a month there is a little ray of light.

Just my thoughts. Shoot me if you like!

The point of this thread is I think somebody at the top IS trying to reenergize the Sport Aviation publication! I could be wrong, but the changes indicate to me a focused effort to fix the inept editing of the magazine! The very recent issue got my attention and I'm inspired about the possibilities. There is a place for the magazine I believe and with skillful editing they will get it there.

Bob Axsom

apkp777 · #10 01-06-2011, 11:22 AM

My point is, everything is in a status of change. You might see some good, some bad but in the end it'll all be different. The only hope if for folks to work to support EAA at the local level, voice their opinions (whether pro or con) and try to pass along our aviation heritage as much as we can.