The Air Facts, first published in 1938, has been revived as an online journal edited by Air Facts former editor Richard Collins and presented by Sporty’s Pilot Shop. As was the focus in 1938, Air Facts will continue to explore the techniques of safely using airplanes for transportation. Included is material about places to go and things to do – encouraging pilots to maximize the value and utility of general aviation.
The online version of Air Facts will rely on both aviation writers and dedicated readers for content. The content will continually evolve as new contributions are accepted. Air Facts is free and may be accessed at AirFactsJournal.com.
Readers can either visit the Air Facts site or subscribe to the journal which means the reader will be notified by email when new content is posted. Reader feedback is encouraged.
Collins’ father, Leighton, started Air Facts in 1938 with a tagline on the cover of “Facts-Knowledge-Safety.” The first issue was written entirely by Leighton and consisted of accident analyses.
“No aviation magazine had previously put the emphasis on safety and accidents and many thought this would cause consternation in the aviation industry,” says Collins. “When Air Facts ran a study about the safety record in Taylorcraft and Piper Cubs, everyone thought Mr. Piper would be quite unhappy. To the contrary, he ordered an Air Facts subscription for everyone who bought a new Cub.”
Despite a circulation which never exceeded 20,000, the original Air Facts was the magazine starting point for such authors as Wolfgang Langewiesche, Bob Buck, Bill Mauldin and Richard Bach.
“In fact, we have reprinted a Bob Buck article for this first issue, along with one from his son,” says Collins. Other contributors in the first revived issue include Bob Stangarone, Russell Munson, Les Abend, Phil Scott and Pete Bedell.
Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, Sporty’s has grown from a one-man operation launched by Hal Shevers to the world’s largest pilot shop and an iconic general aviation brand. Sporty’s operations extend to airport management, avionics installation and repair, aircraft maintenance, a residential airport community, new aircraft sales and flight training, including for the University of Cincinnati’s professional pilot program. Located at Clermont County/Sporty’s Airport (I69), Sporty’s is philanthropically dedicated to expanding the general aviation community with both pilots and skilled technicians.
Nice to see “Air Facts” again. I well remember it as I subscribed in the early forties. I used to look forward to the aircraft reviews that were the high lights to me.