The Inside Loop - 2012/02

6 MODEL AVIATION
Editor Jay Smith
[email protected]
Y NOW most readers should
be aware that we have been
working on a redesign of the
magazine, especially if you read my
editorial in the November 2011 MA. It
is not an easy task and we enlisted the
help of an outside design firm to assist
with the process. It has been seven years
since we gave the flagship publication a
makeover and that was done completely
in-house.
Everyone in the publications group
has been involved and provided
valuable input. I have spent time in
several meetings and discussions that
are reminiscent of an eye exam. Instead
of the doctor flipping a glass sphere in
front of my eye saying, “Is this better,
or this better?” I am looking at
treatments of the Model Aviation logo
or different design philosophies for the
contents of the magazine.
I’ve spent time at the local bookstore
pouring over all manner of magazines
trying to figure out ways to make the
magazine even better. We have asked for
reader input and engaged some of our
advertisers for feedback as well.
We have instituted a few changes in
the past year and have received
generally positive comments. So if you
are currently enjoying the magazine,
you may wonder, “Why a redesign?”
Ultimately, our goal is to continue to
improve your magazine. We want our
members to consider it a benefit, not
just something that comes with
membership.
We want to improve the readability
of the magazine as well as the look. We
will be making changes to the font to
make it easier to read. We will freshen
up the columns and make it easier to get
the information you are looking for. In
the end, we want to streamline MA and
add a little polish.
The biggest challenge with the
magazine, however, won’t be solved
with a redesign. Our greatest challenge
is providing the appropriate content to
satisfy 142,000 readers.
In a recent conversation with a
professional in magazine design, I was
told that ours has far too many columns
and the trend was either to cut them
back to only a few or to get rid of them
completely. Those outside of our hobby
neither understand, nor can fully
appreciate, all the different disciplines
we cover.
The Inside Loop
B
We will continue to provide you
coverage across the spectrum of
modeling with a little more focus on Free
Flight and Control Line in 2012. I
already have plans to bring you an
excellent FF construction article as well
as coverage of the 2012 Brodak Fly-In.
If you don’t see the amount of
coverage you would like on the
disciplines in which you participate, I
challenge you to let me know and to
provide topics you would like to see
covered. Point me in the direction of
more people who are willing to write and
submit articles on the topics.
I’m happy to share with you that the
publications department has many
exciting things planned for 2012.
Relaunching the Model Aviation
website was phase one of our digital
strategy. The website is designed to be a
supplement to the magazine with
additional content, not a replacement for
the magazine.
The next phase involves launching a
digital magazine, which will be an exact
replica of the print magazine in
electronic form. By mid-2012, we will
also begin offering a magazine app of
MA for viewing on tablet devices such as
the iPad.
I hope you enjoy this month’s issue
and look forward to next month’s
redesign and the electronic content we
will have available for you. Thanks for
being a loyal reader of the magazine and
a supporter of the AMA! MA
Published by The Academy of Model Aeronautics
Rob Kurek
Director of Publications
Editorial offices: (765) 287-1256, extension
231 (8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays); Fax: (765)
281-7907
Contributing Editors
Staff
(765) 287-1256 | www.modelaircraft.org
Fax: (765) 289-4248
Advertising Representative
Mark Lanterman, Airborne Media, 7414
Burton Dr., Liberty Township OH 45044
(513) 755-7494
Model Aviation is an official publication of The Academy
of Model Aeronautics, Inc., an associate member of the
National Aeronautic Association (NAA). NAA is the
official U.S. representative of the Fédération
Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the world governing
body for sport aviation, and represents the U.S. at FAI
meetings. NAA delegated to the AMA supervision of FAIrelated
aeromodeling activities such as record attempts,
competition sanctions, and selection of U.S. teams for
World Championships. (ISSN 0744-5059, USPS 087-930
Publications Agreement No. 40688541) is owned
exclusively by The Academy of Model Aeronautics, Inc.,
a nonprofit organization, and published monthly at 5161
E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302. Periodical rate
postage paid at Muncie IN and at additional mailing
offices. Canadian return address: Station A, P.O. Box 54,
Windsor ON N9A 615
Account Executive Yolanda Jones
Administrative Assistant Lisa Johnson
Assistant Editor Jennifer Orebaugh
Communications Specialist Ashley Rauen
Copy Editor Rachelle Haughn
Director of Design/Production Carla Kunz
Editor Jay Smith
Multimedia Editor Chad Budreau
Production Associate Vickie Wilson
Senior Editor Elizabeth Helms
Senior Graphic Designer Sarah Shaw
Stan Alexander
Bob Angel
Bill Boss
Paul Bradley
Sal Calvagna
Lee Estingoy
Mark Fadely
Dave Garwood
Dave Gee
Greg Gimlick
John Glezellis
Jim T. Graham
Donald Grissom
Jim Hiller
Louis Joyner
John Kagan
Rich Lopez
Joe Malinchak
Dennis Norman
Richard L. Perry
Mike Riggs
Aaron “AJ” Seaholm
Red Scholefield
Gene Smith
Keith Sparks
Joe Wagner
Editors Emeritus Bob Hunt
Michael Ramsey
Technical Editor Bob Aberle
Executive Director Dave Mathewson
Bob Brown
President
Gary Fitch
Executive Vice President
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