CARL WHEELEY'S FOR OPENERS
Reader Survey Results
Periodically we conduct a reader survey to provide information useful to advertisers and for feedback on editorial policies. The most recent survey was mailed in July to 3,000 randomly selected subscribers. When tabulation was completed, survey forms had been returned by 1,158.
Projecting the results of the survey to the expected 103,116 average circulation for Model Aviation in 1987 results in subscribers estimating they will build 334,443 models, buy 69,294 radios, and buy 108,993 engines.
Collectively they expect to spend over $63 million on their hobby in the next year. The average reader will spend $612.33, divided among local hobby shops (42.5%), mail-order companies (46.7%), directly from manufacturers (8.5%), and other sources (2.3%).
As in previous surveys, most respondents reported that they had been involved with flying models for over 10 years (61%). However, the number who reported less than a year in the hobby doubled to 4% over the previous survey conducted in February 1985.
Only 3% of those who responded listed no interest in Radio Control, but many are interested in Control Line and/or Free Flight as well as some aspect of RC. Free Flight (all sub-categories combined) was of interest to 18% of our subscribers, tying for 6th place with RC Aerobatics. Control Line (all sub-categories combined) interest was shown by 13%, ranking it between RC Electrics and RC Helicopters for 9th place.
Respondents were asked to mark as many areas as applied, so total percentages exceed 100%. The complete breakdown of interests follows:
- RC Sport/Aerobatics ................................ 73%
- RC Scale .......................................... 44%
- RC Soaring ........................................ 30%
- RC Giant Scale .................................... 29%
- RC Old-Timers ..................................... 19%
- RC Aerobatics ..................................... 18%
- Free Flight (all types) ........................... 18%
- RC Electrics ..................................... 14%
- Control Line (all types) .......................... 13%
- RC Helicopters ................................... 12%
- RC Racing ......................................... 5%
Although Model Aviation does devote editorial space to model boats and cars, a large number of model fliers are also involved in these areas. RC boats were indicated as an area of interest by 16% and RC cars by 13%.
Other Magazines Read
For the first time in a Model Aviation survey, no other modeling magazine is regularly read by more than half of our subscribers. Of the other magazines, RC Modeler leads with 45.5% of respondents reporting that they subscribe to it or buy at least half the issues. This was followed by Model Airplane News (30.5%), Model Builder (15.4%), Scale RC Modeler (13.2%), and Flying Models (11.4%).
Building Preferences and Plans
Building models from kits continues to be the most popular choice of our readers; 56% prefer this method. Scratch-building is preferred by 42%, and 6% said their choice is to buy almost-ready-to-fly planes. Some readers marked more than one preference. The average RC flier stated he would build 2.57 models next year, while Control Line and Free Flight fliers plan an average of 2.84.
Purchase of a two- to three-channel radio is planned by 19.9% of our readers, up dramatically from the 4.5% who stated that in our previous survey. Radios with four or more channels will be bought by 47.3%, a virtually identical percentage as in the 1985 survey.
Engine Purchases
The survey differentiated between two- and four-cycle engine purchases for the first time:
- Two-cycle engines (.049–.39 cu. in.) ........................ 28.8%
- Four-cycle engines (.049–.39 cu. in.) ........................ 5.4%
- Two-cycle engines (.40–.99 cu. in.) ........................ 25.7%
- Four-cycle engines (.40–.99 cu. in.) ........................ 24.4%
- Engines larger than 1.0 cu. in. (two-cycle) .................. 9.2%
- Engines larger than 1.0 cu. in. (four-cycle) .................. 12.2%
Favorite Columns, Features, and Projects
Respondents were asked to name their favorite columns or features in the past year. Top mentions included:
- John Preston's "Safety Comes First" — 99 mentions
- Bill Winter's "Plane Talk" — 93 mentions
- George Myers' "Radio Technique" — 72 mentions
- Bob and Dolly Wischer's "RC Scale" — 54 mentions
Nearly every columnist was mentioned as a favorite in at least several returned survey forms. The construction project with the highest number of mentions was the HiTech 2002 (nine mentions).
A significant number named two general-interest features as their favorites. The article on MacCready's Quetzalcoatlus northropi was tops with 36 mentions, and Walt Good's series "History of RC" was named by 16.
Comments, Suggestions, and Criticisms
At the end of the survey form we asked for comments, suggestions, and criticisms. Respondents numbering 580 filled in the section. Of these, 195 were simple compliments such as "Great job. Keep up the good work." An additional 54 stated they liked the magazine's balanced coverage of all areas of the hobby.
Nearly every specialty had between five and 10 respondents who wanted an increase in the amount of coverage for his or her area of interest.
The most-mentioned specific topic concerned the District Report columns in the AMA News section. Sixty people commented that too much space was devoted to them or that there was too much "politics" included. From the way some commented, it would appear that many readers think these things are under the control of the editor/publisher — which is not so. Readers who wish to influence the amount of space and general content of the District Reports should contact their AMA district vice-presidents, preferably in writing (addresses are in the AMA News section). The AMA News section (including the District Reports) was complimented by 11 respondents.
Two other areas were frequently mentioned: more articles for beginners and more how-to/basic articles (66 requests), and more product reviews and hands-on product evaluations (37 requests).
Conclusion
The survey results give us much to think about and act upon. Our thanks to everyone who participated in the survey. The few minutes each of you took to complete the form will help us to better serve all readers.
Carl Wheeley Editor and Publisher
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
