Aircraft,the 'new' classic aviation magazine

AI was my favourite aviation topical magazine.
I stopped buying it because it was getting more expensive. I did buy Todays Pilot once because that is another good magazine (especially if you fly) but they are all relatively expensive I think.

Ah when you put it like that Ren I guess its understandable. Its odd how all these years I never saw AI in the shops. In fact for years Flypast was the ONLY aviation magazine I ever saw on sale! Apart from the modeller’s mags. But even so this issue of Aircraft has some good stuff in it! The Heinkel He 162 in there is one odd plane!

All these negative comments seem strange to one who never read AI. Aircraft has me interested just like Flypast used to. That latter magazine is still good but at 4.10 is a bit expensive. Aircraft seems meatier too and at 2.95 I had to try it. Just how long ago did it become Aircraft? An article I read last night mentioned a reference to the November 08 issue,or would they have been referring to AI?

If you never read Aircraft Illustrated and are interested in a Flypast/historical style magazine then ‘Aircraft’ would certainly be of interest to you. The point of the negativity is probably because Aircraft Illustrated was arguably the best magazine available covering all aspects of aviation; commercial, military, retro, airshows, historical etc etc… Most people who bought it, liked the multiple format and the fact you didn’t need to buy seperate magazines to get a monthly insight into all things aviation related.

Aircraft Illustrated recently celebrated it’s 40th anniversary with a bumper special edition in March, sadly there were no clues as to it’s demise, with the July 2009 edition in fact being the last Aircraft Illustrated as we knew it. Don’t get me wrong, ‘Aircraft’ is a very good read for retro fans, but for those of us who liked a mix of aviation genres, up to date articles and news as well as excellent photography, we’re going to have to look elsewhere.

If you read that thread on their website, you’ll probably see that most people are against the change and it looks as if Ian Allan publications are going to be losing a lot of subscribers. Aircraft Illustrated wasn’t broken, so why did they ‘fix’ it ?

All these negative comments seem strange to one who never read AI. Aircraft has me interested just like Flypast used to. That latter magazine is still good but at 4.10 is a bit expensive. Aircraft seems meatier too and at 2.95 I had to try it. Just how long ago did it become Aircraft? An article I read last night mentioned a reference to the November 08 issue,or would they have been referring to AI?

It’s an excellent magazine with some extremely interesting articles. But it’s no longer the same magazine that I’d been buying ever since I was a schoolboy – I used to get it for its coverage of modern aviation news as well as historic subjects. So I’m one of those who will switch to Air International when my current subscription has expired. Or maybe sooner.

I started a thread on ‘commercial’ about this too… I don’t get it ? Why ditch a format that has been established for over 40 years (Aircraft Illustrated) to become a ‘retro’ only format ? As interesting as some of those articles were, it seems a very odd business decision indeed. I’ve been buying AI since the early 80’s for it’s fullsome coverage of all aspects of aviation, both old and current. I won’t however be buying ‘Aircraft’ whilst it continues in this marginalised format.

If I’d taken a subscription I’d be asking for a refund, it’s like taking money under false pretences.

Read a John Farley interview in it last night. Even tho I’d never heard of him I found it interesting. And I learned what makes a Sea Harrier distinctive,the raised cockpit so the pilot can see behind him. Also he described how he flew a Spitfire for the first time and snarled the prop on landing when the tail came up too high. Good stuff!

It’s an excellent magazine with some extremely interesting articles. But it’s no longer the same magazine that I’d been buying ever since I was a schoolboy – I used to get it for its coverage of modern aviation news as well as historic subjects. So I’m one of those who will switch to Air International when my current subscription has expired. Or maybe sooner.

They had a stand at legends and next time i passed smiths i was going to get it. So you says its a good read?

Well, I know very little about planes and aviation but it certainly looks good to me!

They had a stand at legends and next time i passed smiths i was going to get it. So you says its a good read?