Ed to Ed to Ed to Ed
The Four Major GA Mag's Editors reveal their true nature

Here at Left Hander we are constantly comparing ourselves with our peer magazines. If Pilot runs an article on flying a Spitfire then we won’t, if Flyer gets a free trip into space then we wouldn’t dream of asking and if Today’s Pilot suddenly did a write up of what it’s like to do a PPL/IR then naturally we would not want to be accused of being copy cats (well if it was free that might be a different matter – Ed).

To make sure that we are ahead of the game and not second guessing our peers all the time we decided to get inside the heads of the editors to see what really makes them tick in an attempt to continue being highly original (and completely fictional) in our quest to reach the No 1 spot in the GA world – well you’ve got to aim high eh?

We commissioned a highly thought of market research company to design a questionnaire that would reveal the innermost thoughts of the editors of the four GA mags worthy of mention in the UK (Sorry there’s GASCO and GASIL too which are pretty decent but we’re trying to create an atmosphere here, and anyway you have to subscribe to those) and then to conduct face to face interviews.

So click here and find out just what makes the editors, that’s Nick Wall from Flyer, Dave Unwin from Today’s Pilot, Dave Calderwood from Pilot and myself from Left Hander, tick.

Post script from Steve
Well I would have answered if you had asked me you cliquey git! Not that I care anyway about your stupid bloody questionnaire! Floooouuuunce!!!!!

Name
Dave Unwin Nick Wall Dave Calderwood Rob Sawyer
Magazine
Today's Pilot Flyer Pilot Left Hander
Position in magazine
Editor
Editor
Dave didn't want to take part in this (the spoilsport) so we
don't know much about him and legally can't make it up. However we do know that he likes to appear in crap TV programmes about
trying to win old battles and failing miserably.
Editor I think
Public school toff?
No
Of course Absolutely not - unfortunately
Level of education?
A level
Minimal (see above) Gave up PhD on welding at Cambridge in 1983
Licence
CAA PPL/FAA CPL/FAI Silver C
Licence – To thrill   PPL
Ratings
Single Engine Land, Single Engine Sea, Multiengine Land, BGA 'B' cat instructor
Ratings – I try to avoid seamen IMC and Night
Total hours
3,600-ish
Who's asking; you, the CAA or a CFI?
about 310
Ever been in a helicopter?
Yes Y-e-e-e-e-e-e-s Yes R44 and S61 (hideous)
Ever been in a microlite?
Sure Yes No thankfully
Ever been in a glider?
Once or twice
Are you kidding? Yes - tedious 4 flights 15 minutes total time
Ever been in a balloon?
Been what in a balloon?
Sadly, no No sadly not
Ever had a near death experience?
Plenty
Are we talking motorbikes or flying?
Yes and it really was close
All time favourite aeroplane
Buhl LA-1 Bull Pup
Extra (till next week) NA P51 Mustang
All time hero in anything
Eric Brown
John Farley David Gilmour
Favourite landing surface
Water
Whatever
Tarmac - long and wide
Favourite airfield to land at
Talgarth
The one I can find Guernsey possibly
Favourite airfield to take off from
Talgarth
The one with the aeroplane
Leeds after that incident glad to get away
Favourite toilets at an airfield
The Gents
The nearest Kemble
Favourite airfield to eat at
Santa Paula, CA
Are you paying? Lots - Old Buckenham Rochester and Turweston were good
Which airfield do you hate the most?
I don't hate anything
The one I can't see Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green - sorry
Favourite GA accessory
An aeroplane
GPS (see above) GPS
Favourite Airfix kit
Spitfire
Lancaster
1/32nd scale P51 Mustang
Favourite alcoholic drink
Jack Daniels
Any (apart from vodka) 
Stella
Favourite food
Mexican
Curry
Sausage beans and chips
Favourite band / artiste
Tom Waites
Michael Schenker Pink Floyd
Last CD you bought
REM-best of Blue Oyster Cult Live 2002
Katie Melua
Favourite book
Round The Bend - Neville Shute Piece of Cake Behind the scenes at the museum - Kate Atkinson
Last book you read
The Log From The Sea Of Cortez - John Steinbeck Bring Back My Stringbag (Lord Kilbracken's adventures in WW2) Wrecks and Relics the Album
What do you want for Xmas?
Amphibious flying boat Chipmunk I forgot I did this so long ago er a skiing holiday
What do you wear in bed?
Nothing is worn in bed, it's all in perfect working order. Goggles, helmet… My left hand!
What is your favourite GA mag?
!!!!!!! You need to ask That would be telling
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