| Aircraft Magazines Guide |
United States |
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'Aerophile' [Aerophile Inc., ISSN 0147-7668]
'Aerophile' was a historical aviation magazine which evolved from the scale modelling magazine 'Replica in Scale'. It provided detailed coverage of the technical development of postwar US aircraft types. Typical contents comprised: the history & internal details of a US military aircraft type, book reviews, kit & decal reviews, aviation personality, aircrew uniforms, a brief airline history, a US aviation museum, a photo feature. It was a A4 size magazine, of 56 pages each, with many b+w photos and some 1/72 scale plan drawings. The first issue was published in January 1977. Erratic publication led to a cessation of production in late 1981. The editor/author Jay Miller later founded the Aerofax Publishing Company which published books in a similar style. |
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'Agricultural Aviation' [National Agricultural Aviation Association, ISSN 0745-4864]
The NAAA represents the Agricultural Aviation Industry in the USA. Members receive a full-colour A4 size bi-monthly magazine. No further information. |
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'Air Beat' [Airborne Law Enforcement Association, ISSN ? ]
Subtitled 'The Official Journal of the Airborne Law Enforcement Association'. 'Air Beat' is a bi-monthly, full-color magazine dedicated to Airborne Law Enforcement. First issue dated Jan-Feb 2003. |
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'Aloft' [Museum of Flight Foundation, ISSN 1077-9647]
Initially called 'Museum of Flight News', the official newsletter of the Museum of Flight in Seattle has recently acquired the title 'Aloft'. It features articles on aviation history, aircraft restoration projects and news of activities at the museum. Volume 22 No.3 was dated May-June 2001. |
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'Approach' [Naval Safety Center, ISSN 1094-0405]
'Approach' is the official flight safety magazine of the US Navy. It contains salutary features on pilot's personal experiences, articles on good safety practice etc. Previously monthly, from the January-February 2004 issue it is published bi-monthly. First published in July 1955. |
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'Aviation Illustrated' [Vector Publishing Group, ISSN 1084-8525]
Popular publication covering aviation art, photographs, memorabilia and historic accounts. Illustrated in full colour. Continued until at least April 1997. No other information. |
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'Aviation USA' [? publisher, ISSN ?]
An issue of 'Aviation USA' was dated October/November 1983. It was not the annual AOPA publication of the same name detailing US airfields. No other information. |
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'AvPhoto' [W.J. Sciutti, ISSN ? ]
'AvPhoto' was a magazine featuring aircraft photographs in colour, with further colour details described in the captions. Each page consisted of an unusual colour photo, plus a complete description of the aircraft shown and a list of references. Only 4 issues were published, all featuring US Navy aircraft of World War II, except for the YP-59A. Date of publication not known. |
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'Citizen Airman' [AFRC, ISSN 0887-9680]
'Citizen Airman' is The Official Magazine of the Air Force Reserve. It features articles and photographs concerning Air Force Reserve activities and it's people. |
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'Echelon' [Bomber Books, ISSN ? ]
'Echelon' was a pictorial magazine focusing on aircraft markings. It specialised in new and previously unpublished historical b+w photos - mainly of US military aircraft. The only text appeared in the brief captions. Each issue was only A5 size, with 16 pages in each. The first issue was dated January-February 1979. The last issue was Volume 3 Number 1. |
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'Experimental Helo Magazine' [Stuart & Kathryn Fields, ISSN ?]
A magazine dedicated to all Experimental and Personal Helicopters. It features news and articles on designing, building and operating homebuilt helicopters. Articles are written from a technical and how-to focus, by and for the amateur builder, owner, pilot and enthusiast. The magazine is dedicated to covering all brands, personally developed ships as well as components and services. Each issue comprises about 24 pages of A4 size, and is illustrated with colour photos and diagrams. A 'trial' issue was dated August 2004 and is available as a pdf file. The official 'inaugural issue', Vol.1 No.1, appeared in November 2004. Vol.1 No.3 was dated March 2005. |
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'FAA Aviation News' [FAA Office of Public Affairs, ISSN ?]
Subtitled 'Aviation Safety from Cover to Cover'. The magazine covers news and topics related to all aspects of flight safety - not just for pilots. It was first published circa March 2001. It appears to be nominally a bi-monthly magazine, but managed 7 issues per year in the first two years. |
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'Flying Review' [? publisher, ISSN 0274-5798]
Alberquerque-based publication available between circa 1984 and the late 1990s, at least. No other information. |
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'Great Lakes Pilots News' [? publisher, ISSN ?]
Michigan-based 'Great Lakes Pilots News' covered general aviation news in the Great Lakes area. It included a calendar of events, historical articles and area news. It appeared between 1996 and 1998, at least. No other information. |
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'Journal of Military Aviation' [Withers Publishing, ISSN 1057-8307]
'Journal of Military Aviation' was a high quality magazine focusing on the modern military aviation scene. It provided profiles of aircraft, units, air forces and exercises. The emphasis was on US subjects, but it also included some European topics. It was an A4 size magazine illustrated with b+w and colour photos. It ran for only 10 issues, between January/February 1992 to July/August 1993. |
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'Midwest Aviation Journal' [ComTech Publishing, ISSN ? ]
'Midwest Aviation Journal' describes itself as the leading source for aviation happenings, news, supplies and aircraft sales in the MidWest. It was launched as a quarterly sometime before December 1994 as the 'St. Louis Flyer', but by July 1998 had adopted the current title. Sometime after Spring 2000 it increased publishing frequency to bi-monthly. No further information. |
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'Midwest Flyer Magazine' [Flyer Publications Inc, ISSN 0194-5068] A magazine aimed at aircraft owners, airport officials and fixed-base operators in the upper Midwest. The editorial content is largely aimed at promoting the protection and development of the regions airports. It features airport news and information, editorial topics include travel destinations, airport restaurant reviews, fly-in and airshow reports, legislative and legal issues, human interest stories, safety, awards and recognition, questions and answers from aviation experts, technology, insightful editorials, and coverage of major aviation events including AOPA Expo, EAA AirVenture, Sun 'n Fun, state aviation/airport conferences, and state aviation halls of fame induction programs.
The first issue was dated "1979 Sample Copy" and published in November 1978. Initially published monthly, it changed to bi-monthly in the mid 1980s. Volume 29 No.3 was dated April/May 2007 and comprised 60 pages, illustrated with numerous b+w and colour photos. |
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'Mountain Pilot' [Wiesner Publishing, ISSN ?]
'Mountain Pilot' presented news and information for mountain aircraft owners, pilots and their families. Topics covered include mountain flying experiences, pilot techniques, high altitude flight, exciting travel destinations and lodging information. Weather information and articles that deal with safety and education are also discussed regularly. The first issue appeared in 1985 under the title 'Wings West'. In 1994 it gained the title 'Mountain Pilot' and became quarterly in Spring 1999, ceasing publication after the Summer 1999 issue. It was then replaced by 'Northern Pilot' (see below). |
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'Northern Pilot' [Frostbite Publications, ISSN ?]
'Northern Pilot' was a magazine devoted to the pilots, aircraft owners and operators who live and fly in the Northwest, western Canada and Alaska. It was illustrated in full colour. The first issue was dated April/May 1999. The last issue published was June/July 2003, when it was taken over by 'Pilot Getaways' magazine. |
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'Pilot Journal' [Werner Publishing Corp., ISSN ?]
Subtitled 'Elite Planes and High Adventure'. 'Pilot Journal' is a magazine for pilots, but with a distinctive flavour. Each issue features articles on high-profile personalities who fly for business or pleasure, aviation road trips to dramatic destinations and flight test reports on the latest aircraft. An A4 size glossy magazine illustrated with many high quality colour photos. First published in Fall 2000. |
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'Popular Rotorcraft Flying' [Popular Rotorcraft Association, ISSN 0032-4620]
'Popular Rotorcraft Flying' was a magazine for enthusiasts of gyroplanes and light helicopters. It was the offical magazine of the Popular Rotorcraft Association. Vol.7 No.3 was dated May-June 1969. It was later replaced by 'Rotorcraft' magazine. |
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'Sport Flying' [Challenge Publications, ISSN n/a]
'Sport Flying' was a fun flying magazine. It covered homebuilts, classic aircraft, warbirds and antique machines. Features included flight test reports, personalities, restoration activities, air displays etc. It was first published in May 1967 as a monthly, but in 1972 it became bi-monthly and then in 1975 it moved to quarterly pubication under the title 'Sport Flying Quarterly'. Sometime after October 1979 it was absorbed by 'Air Progress'. |
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'SW Aviator' [SW Regional Publishing Inc, ISSN ?]
'SW Aviator' is a flying magazine for pilots and aviation enthusiats featuring destinations, reviews, up-to-date regional aviation events, and information about piloting in the Southwest US. It has been published since at least April/May 1999. |
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'The Military Journal' [Merriam Press, ISSN ? ]
'The Military Journal' was a general interest military history magazine. It covered 20th century military history, especially World War II. It was first published in January 1977. Only 11 issues were published, 1977-80. No further information. |
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'Warbird Digest' [Historic Aeroplane Works, ISSN 1551-0646] 'Warbird Digest' is journal designed to serve the needs of the warbird movement, from the enthusiast to the pilot. It is written by warbird people for warbird people - pilots, crewmen, restoration specialists, mechanics and enthusiasts. Although it includes some news items, it's main emphasis is on feature articles. The focus of the magazine is on the people and their machines and not on the in-depth history of particular aircraft types. All types of warbirds will be covered, from fighters and bombers to trainers and liaison aircraft. Safety and operations are an important element, as is coverage of the hard working men and women that keep the aircraft flying.
The first issue was dated Summer 2004. A4 size, 68 pages in each issue, with many colour photos. Initially a quarterly publication, from Issue 7 March/April 2006 the magazine became bi-monthly. |
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'Water Flying' [Seaplane Pilots Association, ISSN 0733-1754]
The Seaplane Pilots Association (formed in 1972) publishes a bi-monthly magazine called 'Water Flying' which is only availble to members. It contains feature articles covering a wide range of seaplane topics including pilot technique, seaplane models, industry news, new products, regulatory updates, maintenance issues, places to go, and personalities. The March/April 'Directory Special' issue also includes a directory of flight schools and certified floats in production. Issue 1 was dated Spring 1973. During the early years publishing frequency varied from year to year, but from 1995 onwards it has appeared bi-monthly. Issue 142 was dated March/April 2004. |
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'Western Flyer' [? publisher, ISSN 0274-9645]
'Western Flyer' is a widely distributed and respected newspaper aimed primarily at general aviation. It started life as the regional magazine 'Northwest Flyer', based in Tacoma, Washington. In 1970 it was brought by Dave Sclair and by 1972 had expanded its coverage to 11 western states and re-named it the 'Western Flyer'. Later, he added regional coverage for Alaskan pilots. No further information. |
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'World Airshow News' [Flyer Publications Inc, ISSN 0888-5265] 'World Airshow News' was published continuously from 1986 to 2004 as a trade magazine. In July, 2004, it was relaunched as a colourful, lively magazine of airshows, airshow performers, airshow acts, and related companies and activities. At that time the magazine underwent a dramatic redesign, in preparation for its debut at bookstores and speciality shops. March, 2005 marked the official national rollout of the magazine.
Now operating under the subtitle 'The Airshow Entertainment Magazine', the editorial coverage aims to serve both airshow fans and airshow people. The magazine offers the industry's only avenue of a "second opinion" in the small world of performers and planners, while the content primarly focuses on the excitement of the airshow world. |
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'World War Enthusiast 1939-1945' [Graphics House Ltd, ISSN ? ] 'World War Enthusiast 1939-1945' was a military history magazine focusing on World War 2. It included some aviation content. The first issue was published in January 1974. Only 7 issues were published under this title (Vol.1 No.1 to Vol.1 No.6 + Vol.2 No.1) before it was renamed 'WW2 Journal' (from Vol.2 No.2 onwards). In 1976 the publisher was renamed International Graphics Corporation. In 1977 'WW2 Journal' ceased publication after Vol.3 No.3 and was replaced by a more general military history magazine called 'The Military Journal'. This latter title ceased publication in 1981 after 12 issues had been published. The editor for all these titles was Ray Merriam. The page size of WWE/WW2J increased as publication continued. There were initially 24 pages (5.5 x 8.5 inches) in each issue, but this had increased to 48 pages by Vol.2 No.2. Vol.2 No.3 onwards used a larger 8.5 x 11 inch page size with usually 48 pages in reach issue. 'The Military Journal' featured the same page size and usually comprised 48-60 pages - although the last two issues had only 36 pages. Some of the material from these titles is now available on CD-ROM from the former editor.
In 1988 a new version of 'WW2 Journal' was re-launched by Merriam Press. A 36 page magazine mainly featuring personal recollections, some articles on military hardware, including AFVs and aircraft were also included. |
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| First Created: 11 June 1997 - Last Revised: 8 February 2009 | ||||
| Copyright © 1997 John Hayles. e-mail: john@aeroflight.co.uk | ||||