By some gross, shortsighted error on the part of television executives across the nation, pilots are not yet among those with their own cable television network. Shoppers have a variety of choices, comedians have The Comedy Channel, and rockers can gyrate to music television's MTV. ABC Video Publishing, Incorporated, five years ago made up for the oversight, not with a cable network, but with a quarterly aviation video magazine called ABC Wide World of Flying. ABC sold the video magazine last year, but under new management the videotapes that arrive every three months in subscribers' mailboxes still provide a two-hour aviation fix for days or nights when weather or schedule won't permit flying. There, yours for the viewing at your convenience, are hours of reports on the subject we all like best: aviating.
The concentration on flying and airplanes is the key to the magazine's five-year success, according to the new publisher, Steve Kahn. "The key is, everything's got to be airplanes. I never forget who the audience is," he says.
Longtime subscribers may have noticed a name change, beginning with the edition out last summer. The new name is Wonderful World of Flying (WWOF). ABC chose the original title to draw on the name recognition established by its long-running ABC Wide World of Sports. But the broadcast giant elected to sell the aviation video magazine in early 1991 when its publisher, Phil Boyer, left to become president of AOPA.
Kahn says he feels a bit like Victor Kiam, in that he liked the company so much he bought it. A partner in a video production company, his original intent was to bid on some video work for the magazine, but when he learned it was for sale, he elected instead to bid on the whole production.
His goal over the past year has been to maintain the quality viewers had come to expect during ABC's ownership, and to expand the variety and scope of stories.
In each issue, Kahn tries to provide a mix of stories that appeals to all types of pilots, from safety and entertainment to airplane and equipment reports. Over the years, his contributors have developed expertise in individual areas. Contributor and technical editor Barry Schiff, an airline pilot and contributor to AOPA Pilot, for example, regularly hosts a segment called "How it Works." In the section, Schiff uses imaginative devices to explain often complex issues. A recent segment on weight and balance, for example, led him to a seesaw at the playground to demonstrate center of gravity. In the last issue, he used model airplanes, his car, a $20 bill, and a wind tunnel to demonstrate how wings generate lift.
Each issue contains at least one report on a new general aviation airplane, usually hosted by veteran aviation journalist Bill Cox. Such stories always contain extensive video of the airplane in flight, close-ups of details, and in-cockpit commentary about handling characteristics.
The warbird, antique, and classic aircraft contributor is Jeff Ethell. In recent issues, he's flown everything from a pristine Spartan Executive to a lumbering Bamboo Bomber and a challenging Stearman biplane.
In fact, it was during the Stearman shoot that we caught up with Ethell and Kahn at Winchester, Virginia. For the video cameras mounted in a Cessna 206, Ethell put the beautifully restored Stearman through an aerobatic routine over the Virginia countryside. As luck would have it, the crew spotted a train meandering along the Shenandoah River. Ethell formed up over the train, and the camera crew captured the scene from bygone days on video.
Kahn doesn't confine himself to the sidelines. He, too, regularly does a feature. On one issue, viewers were treated to a visit to a paint shop as Kahn's own Mooney 201 was undergoing a face-lift. In the edition out in midsummer, Kahn explained the virtues of using oxygen at altitudes even lower than those prescribed by the FAA. In another issue, viewers saw Kahn explain the workings and benefits of his new Northstar M2 loran/GPS.
It's in such avionics reviews that video really shines. Unlike in the print medium, video allows the viewer to actually see the equipment in use in flight. When a button is pushed, you see the result. Likewise, WWOF takes full advantage of video by mounting cameras on the struts and tails of aircraft to provide the viewer with an unusual perspective.
Those concerned that video will overtake the printed word should not fear, however. There's still no substitute for the read-it-anywhere convenience of a magazine. And while video can offer dramatic moving pictures, it doesn't do so well at covering subjects in great depth. Perhaps it stems from our television sound-bite conditioning, but any detailed segment over about four minutes gets to be trying for the viewer, no matter how good the editing or videography. That is territory best left to the printed periodicals.
In an effort to encourage others to join the flying fraternity, WWOF recently sponsored a video aviation education contest in cooperation with the FAA. High school students were asked to produce a two- to three-minute video on how aviation helps their community and country. In early September, Katy Jones, a 17-year-old from Farmington, Connecticut, was chosen as the winner. A portion of her video will be included in the next issue of WWOF. In addition, Kahn will present her with a check for $1,000 to be used for dual flight instruction.
Practically since its inception, WWOF has enjoyed a close working relationship with AOPA. Nearly each issue has had at least one safety segment endorsed by the AOPA Air Safety Foundation. In addition, former WWOF Publisher Boyer didn't completely give up his appearances on the magazine. Viewers now see him offering commentary on aviation issues from the perspective of the president's office at AOPA headquarters. Beginning with the issue due out in October, Frank J. Whyte, the ASF's vice president of advanced training, will offer detailed looks at safety subjects.
As it was when it was started, WWOF is unique among the aviation videos. Others specialize in training or one aspect of aviation, such as warbirds, and their products are purchased as a set. WWOF staked its claim five years ago as a video periodical with features on all aspects of aviation, a claim it retains today.
It is WWOF's diversity of personalities and fresh information each quarter that has made it a success, the same recipe that has kept viewers signing up for cable television month after month.
To subscribe to WWOF, contact Subscription Service, Department WWOF, Post Office Box 3000, Denville, New Jersey 07834; 800/456-4945. The annual price for new subscribers is $119.95.
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