Digital Version of MA to Take off in 2010

     Have you ever wished you could remember in what issue you saw that "recent" article in MA or the author's name? Or have you wished you could have the Academy's flagship magazine delivered to you electronically each month instead of in print? Maybe you want both capabilities, with all of the advantages that come with receiving a print and a digital version of the publication.
     The AMA is planning to launch a digital version of MA in 2010. The staff is currently evaluating several vendors that work with magazine publishers to provide this popular resource. Based on an MA readership survey conducted within the last two years, a significant percentage of respondents expressed an interest in receiving a digital version of the magazine.
     What is a digital version of a publication? It's the printed material delivered to your desktop computer, and it is typically enhanced with features commonly found in an online environment.
     Those features include a keyword search, archiving, and hyperlinks to author e-mail addresses and advertiser Web sites. You can search for a specific article and send it to a friend, save that article or issue to your desktop, or browse an issue by virtually flipping the pages and selecting what to read or bookmark for later.
     Particular attention will be given to what tools are available to connect MA to mobile devices and several popular social media outlets, such as Facebook, MySpace, Linkedin, and Twitter.
     The AMA's Publications Department staff plans to have a live sample available for viewing sometime this fall, with a full launch expected in early 2010. By moving in this direction, the Academy hopes to provide its membership with an additional resource—one presented in a format that is becoming more popular with our members and readers in general.
     A digital version of MA will also offer the Academy an opportunity to reduce two of the largest expenses it incurs: printing and mailing a magazine to the membership every month.
     We realize that print magazines aren't going away anytime soon and that they provide their own unique values, but there is a movement within the publishing industry to offer readers more choices when it comes to how they receive content. It makes sense to pursue this initiative for our members at this time.
     On a related note, the Academy will continue to investigate ways to update the existing online resource: the MA digital archives (currently found at www.modelaircraft.org/MembersOnly/archive/). This virtual library contains complete issues of MA from 1975 to 2000, in a searchable database. You must be a member to access this resource.
     What do you think? Provide your input by e-mailing me at rkurek@modelaircraft.org. MA

—Rob Kurek
Director of Publication

Help Preserve Aeromodeling's Past

     The preservation of model aviation history is a priority of the National Model Aviation Museum, and that heritage includes model aircraft plans.
     Do you have a collection of plans from kits or magazines? We are looking to expand the Academy's collection of 18,000 and fill in what we are missing.
     If you are interested in making a donation, please contact the AMA Plans Service, at (765) 287-1256, extension 507, or plansservice@modelaircraft.org. If you want to keep your original plans, we will be happy to copy and return them to you.
     Please verify our needs with the Plans Service before mailing any plans. Thank you for your help in making our archives complete. MA

—National Model Aviation Museum Staff

AMA Thanks Its Lifetime Supporters!

     The Academy recently welcomed Life Members Garry Wallen (Rio Rancho NM), David James (Fairfield TX), William Nichols (Twin Falls ID), Gerald Bell (Ardmore OK), Stephen D'Eufemia (Pewee Valley KY), Stacy Wiese (Magnolia TX), Antonio Baldassarre (Staten Island NY), and Jeff Duncan (Bryan TX).
     For information about becoming a Life Member, contact AMA Headquarters at (800) 435-9262. MA

—Membership Department

Also in this month's In the Air section in Model Aviation:

• Time Is Running out for AMA's Membership Drive!

• Educational Facility Groundbreaking at AMA Headquarters

• 25 Years Ago in MA: September 1984

• World Tour Tiger Moth on Display

• Greater Southwest Aero Modelers TAG Day Report