AOPA's Airport Directory 2007-2008

268,800,000 pages scurry through the press drums. If the paper tension is too tight it can rip and stop the press making a huge paper mess. Paper rolls weighing 3,500 pounds each need to be replaced regularly so the presses can continue to run uninterrupted. If the timing to switch the rolls is off, the run has to stop or slow down. But, the printer employs masters at the trade, skilled to do the right things just at the right time so production continues mostly uninterrupted.

So what does it take to print AOPA's Airport Directory? Take a look at these numbers, and check our slideshow and video of the book in production!

AOPA's Airport Directory Recipe:

Combine:

• 200 rolls of paper (equals 700,000 pounds and almost 4,000 miles stretched out)
• 4,000 pounds of glue
• 1,800 pounds of poly wrap to mail

Allow:

• 186 hours to print text and 35 hours to print covers and inserts for a grand total of 221 hours on the press
• 53 hours to bind the books

Result:

• 268,800,000 pages weighing 652,000 pounds ready to poly-bag and mail