AOPA Pilot Magazine - August 2012 - 12

LETTERS

FROM OUR JUNE 2012 ISSUE

Meeting readers where they are
After more than 10 years, AOPA Pilot has been redesigned. Editor in Chief Tom Haines asked readers what they thought in his “Waypoints” column.
As a military veteran with 26 years active duty service, I have often followed the military principle of “don’t ask the question if you can’t stand the answer.” You asked for feedback to the redesign of the magazine. Normally I would not judge it based on one issue and will keep an open mind with future issues, but you asked. I cannot put my finger on exactly why, but to me it looks somehow less professional. Please do not misunderstand, I am not against change, but I see no reason to fix something that is not broken. The only change I would have made to the “old” version of the magazine would have been to put the “Pilot Briefing” section after the “AOPA Action” section. The Action and Briefing sections contain good information and need to be read, but are like vegetables on a plate; need to be eaten but not the tastiest part of the meal. Once I have gotten through these parts, I can get to the main course (the meat) of the magazine—and then, for me, culminating with the “Never Again” article for dessert. I always read the magazine cover to cover and prefer the flow of the “old” version. This is just one person’s opinion, but remember, you asked.
Paul A. Cannizzo, AOPA 741399 Las Vegas, Nevada

I can see well enough to fly. But I am not sure I can get through your whole new issue with the smaller print. I hope that will be reconsidered. Thanks for reading and considering my comment. I do enjoy your magazine and think you guys do a great job.
Ricky Davidson, AOPA 1248428 Colorado Springs, Colorado

“Just a quick note of great appreciation that you recognize that the current size is easier to handle and more comfortable to hold. It may seem a small thing, but each month I Confident in have to find a flat chaos to Thomas A. Horne: surface to place an Amen back the spin requireBring oversized [maga- ment. In 1950 I was learning to fly in a J–3 on floats at a seazine] on to read it. plane base. After the first hour and At 172 pounds, I and 20 minutes of straight and level, turns, climbs, glides, guess my lap just following a creek, my instructor started me on stalls. Up and isn’t big enough!” over we went and the world
David Grebe, AOPA 132162 Souderton, Pennsylvania

TOM HAINES REPLIES: Thank you for sharing your thoughts. For the record, the print is not smaller. Previously, we used 9-point Utopia on 11 points of leading. Now we are using 9-point Mercury on 12 points of leading. The additional leading is meant to improve readability. We will consider your comments along with others as we continue to evolve the magazine.

stopped. “Now, ease the stick back.” The nose rose, we were no longer dropping like a rock, and—wow—again, we were straight and level and I was breathing normally. I had spun an airplane! And I knew how fast a spin could happen. And I knew that if I had enough air below me I could get out of a spin. It was a great lesson to know how disoriented you suddenly can become if you’ve never experienced an unusual situation, and how helpful it will be if you are

prepared to handle it. Besides, spins are wonderful confidence boosters.
Frank W. Gibson, AOPA 78286 Cummaquid, Massachusetts

I applaud many of your new developments, but the new smaller print in the June issue is not one of them. I just passed my FAA medical last week and
12 | AOPA PILOT August 2012

whirled. The river below was spinning around like a whirlpool. “Stick forward,” we were headed down. The spinning continued, the river a blur. “Opposite rudder,” the spinning

The FAA should require spin training for the private certificate. I ran a flight school and we had a Cessna 150 Aerobat for that purpose. Every student was shown, then demonstrated, entry then recovery from a skidding stall/spin as if they were turning base to final. Many instructors were afraid. In that case I flew with the students myself. Then I went up with each instructor and did five- or six-turn spins to build

AOPA Pilot Magazine - August 2012

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