Pro Pilot magazine

[steve937]

I've noticed a good change over the last few years. I used to just throw my copy away with-out reading it, but now it seems your articles have more about aviation technologies than about a Gulfstream pilot blowing his horn about how good he is.

 

[Kingairrick]

How about:

Do you know of a flight department that is exemplary in some outstanding way that you think other Pro Pilot readers would like to know more about? If so, and you are not affiliated with that department, please provide contact information here:______

Feel free to correct spelling,syntax and grammar.

 

[On Your Six]

How about:

Do you know of a flight department that is exemplary in some outstanding way that you think other Pro Pilot readers would like to know more about? If so, and you are not affiliated with that department, please provide contact information here:______

Feel free to correct spelling,syntax and grammar.

Great idea. Send this out to your many survey participants to get some ideas and then filter from there...

 

[2000flyer]

I wasn't expecting such a quick response! Thanks guys!

I'd like to respond to several of the comments so far:

2000flyer mentioned the Larry Flynt cover, news and the Salary Study. We took some heat for the Larry Flynt cover, mainly because of Flynt's "Hustler" connection. However, not to defend him, but to provide some background info, Flynt runs a publishing empire with over 50 magazines that aren't tied to the "adult entertainment" world. The cover story that month was about Flynt's department, not his venture into the "adult entertainment" world. As for news, we are not a news magazine and don't pretend to be one. We'll cover the highlights of the industry, but little more. News isn't our focus. Our Salary Study is just that: A study. Are the results "comical"? Perhaps, but keep this in mind: It doesn't portray what you are currently paid. It projects what you SHOULD be getting paid. That's its purpose.

Thanks for your time, guys!

ProPilotGuy,

Thanks for your candor and honesty. As for Larry Flynt; I'm sure his "empire" is impressive. However, you must admit his fame and probably much of his fortune came from the "adult entertainment" industry and that is probably where most people associate his name.

As for your salary survey. I don't recall (correct me if I'm wrong please) seeing the cover stating "Salary 'Study' - What Pilot's Should Be Getting Paid." I do recall seeing Salary Survey. In my book that is two different topics all together. More, now than ever, I can guarantee no chief pilot or department manager worth his/her salt is going to present this "study" to his boss. It may be entertaining to read, make us all dream a little more but I see little value in seeing "what I should be getting paid" compared to what other flight departments similar to mine in size, geographic location, industry are getting paid today. That is much more useful in my book.

Again, we should all recognize your efforts to listen to our rants and raves from a forum like this. You'll be hard pressed to get a more diverse group of pilot's and opinions. Thanks!

2000Flyer

 

[SkyGirl]

GVFlyer remarked about journalistic integrity. B/CA and the other magazines employ staff journalists to write their articles. We don't. We go to the field for our writers. We ask department heads or industry personalities who are doing the "nuts-and-bolts" work to write articles for us. A professional journalist who hasn't flown an approach, managed a flight department, created an avionics suite, etc, shouldn't be writing about it as if they are an expert. Articles such as these are best coming from people in the field who are actually involved in such aspects of the industry. Yes, they may at times be very opinionated. This is a small price to pay. For credibility, it's better having an expert write about a subject.

I think you missed the point of GV's post. He said the publisher, Murray Smith, was the guy that kept your magazine from being objective, not your writers.

_SkyGirl_

 

[General Lee]

I like this magazine and have been reading it for a couple of years now. I would like to see more "day in the life" of flight department pilots, and maybe a return to regional airline profiles. As far as Clay Lacy and his reviews of corporate aircraft, I want to know if he is "paid" to endorse each aircraft he profiles? I haven't seen him be harsh on any particular airplane. Also, what happened to the personal "What's new with you" page? And, we have been having plenty of early retirements at DL lately, and many of those pilots are interested in the Fractionals. How about more profiles and comparisons on those? Other than that, it is a fine publication.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[AA717driver]

Because of the turmoil in the industry there are many people looking to switch directions and go from major to corporate, frac to airline, etc. Since Kit Darby has proven worthless, some profiling of different operations--regional, 135 (yes, I read that you try to stay away but it's a different business these days with so many 91 outfits on 135 certificates), management companies, etc.

There are a lot of people who come here trying to get a feel for the landscape in other areas of the business. It would help to get that perspective from a publication rather than hearing it on the street.

I'm not suggesting PP become a career advisor but changing jobs has become a way of life for many of us and you could certainly provide a good reference for people.

Thanks for asking.TC

 

[Gulfstream 200]

I agree, dont ignore 135 completly. I have worked on a few 135 managed aircraft that were 100X better than some of the "corporate" departments featured lately...

 

[FalconPilot69]

Aircraft Opinions.....

Here is a suggestion to HawkerFlyer's comment regarding Clay Lacy's take on aircraft. Why don't you do a survey that us pilots fill out regarding the aircraft that we operate. This would give you a true, unbiased opinion of the different aircraft being operated. You survey could be along the lines of what is you typical trip, fuel burn, what are your maintenance issues, avionics issues, likes, dislikes, etc. This way, ProPilot does not get in hot seat from the manufacturers and Mr. Lacy cannot be opinionated about it.

The BBQ comment was also a good one. It would be nice to have feed back from fellow pilots regarding great places to eat when overnighting in Timbucktoo.

On a side note, I just started receiving the magazine and enjoy most of what I read.

Thank you for asking us for input on how to make you magazine better.

Falconpilot69

 

[gear_guy]

Good posts everybody. And thank you ProPilotGuy for wanting to improve your magazine!

I want to start by saying that I enjoy reading ProPilot. I thinks its a good magazine that could be great.

I just wanted to mirror the comments on flight department selections. I recently read an issue from the 80's where Arnold Palmer's pilot was bragging about taking their SII coast to coast and landing with 300 lbs or something. One thing you should consider is that our bosses often read your magazine. What if my boss saw that, and wanted me to do it. Of course I would'nt, but I'd have to go thru the whole rigamarole. Some of the articles could cost us quality of life or even $. Please be careful which departments you choose to glorify. Since it is always on the cover, it is like saying it is the focus of your magazine. That is fine, but they need to be upstanding depts. I would like to be able to, someday, use it as a resource for better QOL rather than hide it from the boss.

Also, the salary survey has always (in my career span) been disregarded. I have never been able to use it as a resource for an increased wage. It is not the worst, but also not the best (which I think you are aiming). The general response I've gotten is "those things are never accurate." Maybe they are, but that's what I heard. So I stopped using it. It does, however give you a good ballpark figure.

Lastly, I really like the idea of a quiz page. But usually it never pertains to a major GA airport that I frequent. But I may be way off base here.

Thanks again

 

[semperfido]

I just wanted to mirror the comments on flight department selections. I recently read an issue from the 80's where Arnold Palmer's pilot was bragging about taking their SII coast to coast and landing with 300 lbs or something. One thing you should consider is that our bosses often read your magazine. What if my boss saw that, and wanted me to do it. Of course I would'nt, but I'd have to go thru the whole rigamarole. Some of the articles could cost us quality of life or even $. Please be careful which departments you choose to glorify. Since it is always on the cover, it is like saying it is the focus of your magazine. That is fine, but they need to be upstanding depts. I would like to be able to, someday, use it as a resource for better QOL rather than hide it from the boss.

very good and valid points. throw that in with what a acft salesman tells them and you have some major unf@*$%^&* to do

 

[gear_guy]

very good and valid points. throw that in with what a acft salesman tells them and you have some major unf@*$%^&* to do

Aircraft salesman???? That would mean I was flying something new. Never done that. Can I live vicariously thru you?

 

[CapnVegetto]

I got one for ya......how about an "on the road" type section? You can profile things like restaurants near FBO's where pilots can go eat when they have to sit for a few hours, entertainment in a certain area when pilots have overnights for a couple of days (and can take golf clubs, whatever), and perhaps a 'hotel review' type section in this too. Most FBO's will book hotel reservations at certain rates and there's usually a choice between them......and a section profiling these hotels, the amenities they have, restaurants & bars in them, gym, pool, etc. You could have pilots send in 'reviews' or something like that, or send a 'pro pilot' writer to the area to check out the places and write articles on them. Example.....fly into MDW (where I am now), there's a FANTASTIC italian place right up the road from Million Air called "Giordano's". Great place to stay is the Hilton Garden Inn, Million Air will book you with a special rate. Super nice rooms, indoor pool, gym, bar, the works. Either make it a restaurant, hotel, or whatever review section, or you could just make it an 'airport' section. Fly into here, (MDW or wherever) and there are 'these' places to eat close by, 'these' places to stay, 'these' things to do, and here's a price range and review.

 

[CapnVegetto]

Oh, and by the way, I'm going to echo what everyone is saying about the departments that you profile. Be careful!! If you put a big article on the cover about a company that treats it's employees like crap and pays them nothing, then the first thing that's going to happen is my boss come running straight to me and be saying stuff like, 'well why can't YOU sleep on the plane', or 'why am I paying you more than this guy to do the same job?' That sucks!!! Profile the good ones, and I can run to my boss and say, 'this company pays this guy this much, why am I making less?' and then HE has to answer me.

Just think about it from our point of view.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Lets not do the restaurant thing...

many really dont care what good restaurants are around the Holiday Inn in Akron Ohio.

ask here! - If you have a trip somewhere (anywhere in the world) I bet you get 10 responses in one day!

 

[sleepy]

As a personal note, I think that the selection process you use to choose flight departments to profile is absurd. Why not select departments like Bank of America which has a unique and effective organizational structure, a professional staff which includes dispatch, pilots, maintenance technicians and flight attendants, observes the Flight Safety Foundations crew scheduling guidance and does innovative things like web-site scheduling and having a chief pilot for technology integration rather than picking a flight department that does trans-oceanic flights in a Learjet then sleeps in the plane when they get to their foreign destination?
GV

So GV, you work for B of A?

Yes, I must agree, there are a lot of really professional flight departments out here that could be profiled. However, most of the really good ones don't want the publicity. I know that mine does not.

 

[viking737]

So what exactly was Clay Lacy's status during the 1985 UAL strike?

 

[Capthuff]

Get AVBUG to write for you
Be sure to pay him well.

 

[GVFlyer]

So GV, you work for B of A?

No, but I know Fred and Sam pretty well. B of A was just an example. Others would be Proctor and Gamble, GM, and 3M. I think many would find a profile of a major management / part 135 company like Avjet, TAG, Jet Aviation or The Air Group to be interesting.

GV

 

[ultrarunner]

To echo the rest, please stop profiling these absurd companies who have 2 pilots on call 24/7 even Christmas. The one that really set everyone off was the ski resort jackoff who operated Lear 35s to London and made them "berthable" for the crew to rest in...A small, tightly run, mediocre pay department that is a success story keeping pilots employed and benefiting/promoting corp aviation - SURE! - sleeping in a Learjet on the ramp at Luton after a 20 hr crossing.....no.

and please, a little less Clay Lacy.

Thanks for asking!

It's articles like this that make me proud that I haven't read that rag in years....

good grief....

Pro Pilot actually profiles companies like quoted above, AND plugs a scab.

They got some nerve asking for comments!