Digital

First look: AOPA unveils digital magazine editions

Attendees at AOPA Aviation Summit in Long Beach, Calif., were the first to get a sneak peek at the latest offering from the AOPA Media staff: digital editions of AOPA Pilot and Flight Training magazines. The digital editions, to be available in early 2011, provide, page for page, everything AOPA members have come to expect from the print editions, and so much more.

“Over the past several years, our editors have been adding more and more online extras—videos, additional interviews, slide shows, and the like—that readers have been able to access by going to a computer and visiting AOPA Online,” said Tom Haines, AOPA senior vice president of media and editor in chief of both magazines. “With the digital edition, readers can access all of that extra material directly from the magazine—something that we think will appeal to a large number of our members.

“But for those who prefer to sit down in an easy chair and flip leisurely through the magazine, they will still be able to,” continued Haines. “We will continue to print the magazines and members will have the option to choose the print or electronic edition—or both.”

When readers who chose the electronic edition open it, they will see the same magazine as their fellow members who choose the print edition—the same layout, the same photos, the same articles. And they’ll be able to “flip” through the pages. But embedded within those pages will be all sorts of extras, such as videos and additional photos that would not fit in the print edition. Other features will include polls, surveys, extended content, links to social networking sites, and more. Members will be able to comment on articles and share articles with others. All Internet links included in articles will be “live,” so readers can highlight the link and go directly to the website. And if readers see an ad for a product they’re interested in, in many cases they will be able to simply tap the ad and go directly to the advertiser’s website.

“While we frequently get requests for digital editions from members, we recognize that an electronic magazine is not going to be for everybody,” concluded Haines. “But for those who make the leap, we think it opens up an amazing realm of possibilities.

“We’re excited about adding the digital edition, and think our readers will be, too, when it comes out early next year.” —AOPA Communications staff