The Mag: Planes, Bikinis, Accidents, MS-Word Shortcuts etc?

[alanmack]

I have had little feedback since a daily contributor to this forum suggested that the mag needed to be spiced up a tad with a model or three. Firstly, all the "models pictured" are legal as far as copyright is concerned as they have been acquired with publication rights. I have had one trike Flight School Owner and one Aircraft Importer and Reseller complain about the spicy pictures saying that the mag can now not be shown to their families. I have on record 25 pilots who have expressed appreciation for the new editorial policy saying that they now really look forward to receiving the mag. I have had two ladies suggest that there needed to be sexy lads as well for they felt that it was unfair that the mag catered for men only! I have had one member send me a motorbike mag with a suggestion that at least another 30 pages could be made less boring! I also got sent a FHM with a suggestion that I use it as a guideline.

All in, this represents about 2% of the membership, if that. A rule of thumb suggests that about ten times this would comment in the same way and that the rest (80%) will remain the silent majority. So, how about offering an opinion on the Editorial Policy which, as a guideline, calls for about 10% of the pages to offer content that is spiced up with what I call "fashion photography" for it has not and will not reveal less than a swimsuit ie no G-strings, stars etc!

That's it - do you want only > I went from A to B and this is my plane or do you want 10% of the mag to offer a bit of spice?

[Mogas]

As naked as possible please!

[Aerosan]

As naked as possible please!

[nicow]

I love the mag-with & without the girls(the girls is just a bonus).

[Duck Rogers]

I'd prefer it WITHOUT the girls.
It's an aircraft mag, not a girlie mag

[KFA]

Most of the pic's are tastefull but the question remains about the purpose of the mag. Is the mag about flying or about women?. My laaitie is 6 and likes to page through the aviation mags and learn the names of the different planes, and it's not the type of content I want him to see. I think a nice pic every now and then could serve it's purpose but for the most part I do not agree for every mag. Buy the FHM if you want to stare at half naked women.

On another note, the editorial content of the mag is great. Thanks Alan for your efforts.

[Hak]

Alanmack good morning love the mag.That flight school,and importer and reseller, was on the bord of senser ship in the 50th 60th (we are now in 2011)

[Madman]

More girls please..

I find myself reading the mag much longer now as I struggle to turn the pages with the gorgeous galz on

[Bundy]

There were aircraft in the last issue?...Sorry I'll have to go read it again!

I think it's great! Keep it up!

(no pun intended.. ha ha)

EDIT: I do agree with KFA as above though... gotta keep it spicy but tasteful due to all the young eagles out there!

[Tailspin]

I like the Ladies but not in this Mag.
I want to read about aviation and when my Daughter reads through Daddy's Mag i do not want to have to answer questions to the wife about all the Scantly clad woman and what they have to do with AVIATION.

[spacecowgirl]

Alanmack,
I for one, am against the idea ‘spicing up’ Microflight. I am a young woman and I don’t see the point, really. I’ve got no interest in reading an article related to aviation but looking at the picture of a scantily clad girl! (Agreed that you’ve also got shirtless men on sometimes but that still doesn’t work for women interested solely in aviation while subscribing to an AVIATION magazine.) Like for example in the previous issue, there was a picture of a girl in a bikini and the guy was shirtless and they both were tugging on 2 ends of a rope. I think I racked my brains for 30 minutes before I came to the conclusion that the picture and the corresponding article were in fact, not corresponding at all! Leave alone the ethical part of the argument, this is a question of stuff making sense!
If erotic visual stimulation is what the men are looking for, isn’t FHM or Playboy more worth spending money on? There are lots of kids out there getting hold of the magazine and their young minds want to learn about planes and flying. Finding photos of half naked women instead = a lot of questions for the parents to find answers to. Wouldn’t it be much better if the magazine was more clean and family oriented? Or have we reached an age where not even aviation magazines sell without some skin show?
I love your magazine and I don’t think leaving out the ‘spice’ would really affect the number of followers you’ve got.
Cheers and thanks for a fantastic mag!

[Dish]

I certainly don't think the lads are looking for erotic visuals and if they are then they cannot be that doff that they think the micro flight magazine is the place to find it. Most fellows I know are family men and I will bet the magazine gets circulated throughout the household..... So perhaps less ladies in swim wear is not a bad idea,

BUT

I sympathize with alanmack. Every single issue the lad begs for content and seldom gets it. So that being the case folk, WRITE about your experiences, your first scare, you going solo, the weather in your area???? Whatever but just give the man some content to work with. Just this past weekend was the all days fly in and the bantam world record being set!!!! Write your stories - remember not all magazine recipients are forum members so your story will reach far and wide...

Just give the guys content to work with

[Mogas]

Well it seems some dislike the idea of seeing images of beautiful people! To me there has been nothing erotic about any of the pics in the mag but that's just me I guess.
In all seriousness, the magazine is first and formost about flying and the content regarding that is excellent, if including a couple of pictures of beautiful people offends some then excluding the pictures must be considered.
We live in a democracy so how about a poll? voting options could be:
1. Keep it as it is, attractive pictures but nothing smutty.
2. Tone it down a bit!
3. Keep the picture content to aircraft related matters only.
Mogas

[D2O]

I'm kinda missing the articles & images which reflect the purpose of the mag, that's microlight aviation.
If I want to see scantily clad women, I just need to go to my nearest pool bar
I say put some bombs under everyone's a$$es (mine included ) to contribute pictures & articles and keep it about aviation.
The mag is fine, and always something I look forward to in the mail. Keep it up!

[alanmack]

Good idea - I have added a poll - please feel free to suggest more/other questions - you can change your mind about your answers as we get more/other questions.

Thank you for the comments. As I said, this all started in response to requests received but so as to help the debate along. I have attached a story from the next mag. Pic's are small so you will have to read it when it is published. It is a suggested protocol that will dictate the requirements of all that have to wear spectacles. You thus cannot afford to be disinterested. The story is dry as it is a set of factual requirements - so to help make it more pleasing on the eye for some? The story line offers the factual content but spins a line about a lass and her sister who look after their eyes! Is it necessary - absolutely not. Is it more interesting - well the author a very respected Doctor is as thrilled as punch with the makeover and he hopes that 80% more pilots will now read it and send in comments.

What I find funny is that in the first mag to try this out - remember the lass on the swing? - The story was about begging for content - everyone remembers the page - instantly! So, does it sell messages ?

In the next mag there is only one other page with a quarter page lass on a page of pictures of lads in flight suits - the winners of the Starters Masters competition.

PS - the next mag goes to the printers on 1 July - it takes about a month to get to be reviewed checked etc - plus I will be on the Wild Coast fly-away so it will be posted at the beginning of August. Thus far I have 6 pages of content sent in for the mag that is 52 pages - the rest has/is to be written/secured by the Editor - so far nemo has managed to get another 41 pages - so - nothing new!