Just a crazy idea!

[SkySketch]

A great idea...BUT there is a great mag for micrololighters edited and put together by Alan McKenzie and printed and circulated by MISASA
The mechanism is all there and Alan is always delighted to recieve contributions from any pilot on any microlight related topic
I do suggest we use this existing mag, and the forum for immediate sharing of any stuff....
My 5c worth anyway

Could I have Alan's email address please! Maybe Join the two together?

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Don't worry about the CC compnay etc.

I agree with Demon. maybe piggy back off the Misasa mag to start with and see where it goes...

[vernon11]

A great idea...BUT there is a great mag for micrololighters edited and put together by Alan McKenzie and printed and circulated by MISASA
The mechanism is all there and Alan is always delighted to recieve contributions from any pilot on any microlight related topic
I do suggest we use this existing mag, and the forum for immediate sharing of any stuff....
My 5c worth anyway

I could not agree more with Demon, Alan puts a hell of a lot into the mag. Why on earth start another with much the same news and info.
Dont shoot me down.
Vernon.

[Gyronaut]

Great idea SS but I think the major problem is continuous quality content. Everyone is enthusiastic at first and then the articles run out.

I support the view of Demon and Vernon etc that Alan should be supported by providing him with interesting and informative content whenever possible.

SS, why not start by writing a monthly column for Alan or committing to write at least one article a month for him, then take it from there. Why re-invent the wheel when we know he is always looking for good content.

[DarkHelmet]

Nothing crazy about your idea!

Sustainability is the issue, you can get everyone hyped with issue 1 and then issue 2 you suffer to get content, issue 3 does not surface...

Your enthusiasm is appreciated but the cycle has just proven otherwise. Speak to AlanMack, focus on content and getting that through rather than trying to start again.

I'd like to see the MISASA Mag on every shelf, that is not happening yet, we need folk with drive, ambition and CONTENT to get on the shelf in "CNA" (for lack of a better word)

The community has a story a day, we need a community manager, a community manager costs money - we are at a catch 22

[John Young]

Hi,

Met up with Donald (chairman) on Tuesday. Alan is battling to get content and Post Office staff are stealing mags.

Alan Mackenzie = alanmack [at] iafrica.com
Donald Hicks = Donald.Hicks [at] za.nampak.com

Regards
John ZU-sEXY

[RV4ker (RIP)]

What about something like this to avoid PO staff crap...

http://www.sportaviationonline.org/spor ... 201008#pg1

[alanmack]

Hi,

SkySketch I have responded to your private mail and am happy for you to copy and paste my response here as a public view of the support your efforts can expect from MISASA. Please understand that these are my personal views. I will put any request of yours to the MISASA committee for you should you wish to "test" my opinions.

If the mag is to be a commercial venture aimed at the public this is understood and would need to create a sustainable market to survive. Sustainability should be carefully thought through. African Pilot find the public very receptive to microlights but not too often. Trixie never got the public support she needed. About a month ago I went into a model aircraft shop and there for sale was Trixie's mag African Skies. So a commercial venture will need to be actively marketed to a broader market - Africa maybe - to secure viable sales volumes. If it is to be aimed at active / lapsed microlighters then the MISASA mag does just this and I urge you to get involved in the MISASA mag and use your energy to improve what we have. I have to tell you that I battle for content and it is a few loyal scribes that make the mags meet the content needs. Many microlighters are not PC literate - over 250 members of MISASA do not have eMail addresses. The paragliders for instance, are happy with electronic media but microlighters want - nope - they demand - print. The MISASA mag is available electronically but still the paper version is demanded! I use the word demanded not lightly - it is our clear learning that our pilot base want a printed coffee table mag that boasts good news and a high picture content. They are grumpy about not knowing exactly when to expect it in their post boxes - I understand this need, for meeting an established expectation, is what service delivery is about - so if you feel you have a secure pipeline to content then I will support you fully but otherwise I urge to to help make what we have better.

In the Winter edition the MISASA Chairman, Donald Hicks ( Hazzard) and I wrote about half the mag as it was late and we had no content then Eish the content arrived when the mag was at the printers so the Spring edition is now at the printers but on time. Trixie created an absolutely fabulous magazine - let's agree on this as it is important in the discussion. She got a head start as I closed down the MISASA mag to support her and we reduced the subs by the mag subscription. More support we could not give. She failed to attract advertisers and distribution volumes needed to make it financially viable and thus sustainable. Again, it became intermittent as, not for a lack of trying, she battled for content and advertisers. This is important - for you cannot expect more enthusiasm, dedication or passion from anyone and yet it did not make it so you need to address this in your business plan and be clear about what you will offer that she did not. Now I am possibly sounding negative and I do not want to be so:

- MISASA will host your electronic mag on our eCommerce website and I will load it and manage it for you or

- If you prefer, I will sponsor you a full eCommerce website ( complete with a eMarketing platform - bulk emailer to get your business growing) and I will load and manage the site for you at no charge at all.

It seems from the discussion that some may not know of the MISASA mag - so I am going to post a thread and offer the Spring edition to pilots that post a name and an address - even if they are not MISASA members.

Finally, I offer you the support detailed in my private mail to you and the support listed above however I urge you to rather join me and get involved in the MISASA mag. If you feel you want the title and editorial freedom of being the Editor then at the next AGM - it is likely to be in September ( next month) at the SA Champs in Heidelberg, please stand for the position - I offer to nominate and not oppose your election as Editor and I will offer continued support when needed.

Fly safe
Nemo

[SkySketch]

Good Day Alan

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond!

It seems many do not understand the reason behind my "idea"!

My intention behind this is to provide us as "micro-lighters" worthy material to read! I have no intention to make money out of this nor jeopardize any body else' business! There is a very evident gap in the market when it comes to "uncertified" aircraft!

I think Misasa's magazine is a fantastic thing, to be honest I have never even heard of it before, hence me suggesting this!

I would there for not start something new, but rather improve on what is there already! What do you guys think?

I think we can start of by making the magazine more "formal" to make it suitable for the public! We can then work on getting them in stores nation wide, there is a definet market for such a magazine!

I am open for any suggestions and I remind you that I do this with good intention's to provide the flying community with something nice!

Kind Regards JP

[Lieb Liebenberg]

I would love a MICROLIGHTERS magazine!

[RV4ker (RIP)]

JP
I admire your enthusiasm, but it all takes money. Baby steps Grashopper.... Piggyback off the exesting and see where it goes. Not saying don;t do it, simply that the MISASA mag has been down this road and it was also not to make money, but in life sadly IT ALL COSTS MONEY... (yip even time costs money)

With internet around what you want to do can be done by 1 guy online. Print I doubt it....

Good luck...

[alanmack]

As I have said I will support the membership by putting forward any ideas that they want motivated.

Personally if a commercial magazine is called for I will support it but not shut down Microflight Africa in favour of it until sustainability is achieved.

As to providing the public with a magazine well, the world over, the lesson has been that pilots want an informal mag with their stories. They also want a formal mag and that is why mags like African Pilot have a special place in the hearts of pilots. I believe we need both - we have a niche - we service members and not the public. It is not commercial and you cannot buy a copy. If you are a member you get one. If not read the commercial mags. Want a commercial microlight mag ? Be sure you learn the lessons of those that have gone before - if you get it right - it will be a dream come true for many.

Fly safe

[SkySketch]

After having actually read a microflight now, I have realized that there is no need for me to improve this, in fact it is a BRILLIANT magazine! It is a shame that I only here of this now! I would however like to know if there is anyway of getting this magazine to the Namibian members of Mican and LISAMA at a small fee?

[Hazzard]

I have been following this thread with MUCH interest. For as long as I can remember we have been trying to get support from the greater flying community for contributions to add value and variety to the magazine. Believe me; you do not want to start another magazine. As Alan has indicated in his comment, often the friends are initially willing, but soon they dry up and you end up doing most of the input yourself. There are many stories out there, but the chaps sometimes feel that either “they cannot tell a story” or worse, “my English is not good enough”. Believe me, this is not an impediment to writing something for the mag. Firstly, all you have to do is, do your best and ask Allan to correct your perceived errors. Alternatively, be brief adding simple details, ask us to leave it as it is and just flood the pages with pictures. Remember, the Mag is about what you have done, where you have been and what you have seen. Your English lessons stopped years ago when you were in school. Then of course, for the lads that speak Afrikaans, we can run the story in Afrikaans or in fact ask someone to “VERTAAL”.
Chaps, it is about interest, and content. For those of you that are not aware of the good work Alan has done over the years go to http://misasa.co.za/ look up “magazines” and then follow the instructions.
As to the folks from Namibia, (or elsewhere), we have article contributions and members from Australia to Croatia.
So, give me a call, my details are attached, alternatively mail me, or any Committee member and ask for assistance. All details on the website, http://misasa.co.za/.
Regards,
Donald Hicks.
(MISASA Chairman)

[John Boucher]

I am amazed to see the number of avid microlighters not knowing that Microflight Africa even exists.

I know of the effort that Sir Alan puts into the mag... begging for stories (yes, I am a Scribe for the Mag and proud to be associated with it) and in turn pester my friends for stories of anything worthy to contribute.
If you dont' believe me, ask Jet Ranger how much grief I gave him for his contributions (GYRO orientated)

Your idea is nothing short of being noble young man (Sky Sketch)... so why not become the SCRIBE for Namibia (awesome country to fly to...)

As for the gents criticising the present mag (eg. Chris B - Mossel Bay) and the predecessor mag.... what have YOU done to contribute to this magazine and make it an even bigger success than it already is?