Well, 5+ years into the online-magazine form of the website (the only version many of you have known) and we have compiled a decent number of stories, guides, interviews, and trip reports. I appreciate greatly those who have stepped forward to pen their knowledge or adventures and contributed to the value of this site. Without you all, we'd simply have a few whiny stories about me going to Alaska and being enamored with everything.
I see a lot of you out doing some pretty cool stuff, sharing a single photo here and there, but definitely getting after it (and sometimes I reach out to you.) I would ask: Why not share that with a much larger audience? You'd be amazed the positive response to some of our content I share on social media. It's pretty cool. And I'd really like to see the variety of content we publish here grow.
Additionally, we have slowly but surely built the Knowledge Base. We've compiled an index of recommended STCs for backcountry birds, field approval copies for follow-ons, and some how-to's. See the list of latest articles here.
What are some content examples?
Let's continue! Here are some examples of the types of content you can contribute:
- More trip reports. These are the easiest. Tell the story and share what a particular adventure meant to you.
- Ever had a profound revelation about how things are done in aviation, particularly in this corner of GA?
- Used your airplane to go on an epic hunt?
- Have tales from the old days that would get you thrown in the slammer today? Statute of limitations!
- Have a live-to-tell tale that you think would help other pilots? No one wants to expose themselves to ridicule or the FAA; we can protect your anonymity.
- Have an aviation product or business related to backcountry flying with a history that would interest us? This is a very valuable way to promote, but the cost is writing a very content-rich article.
- Working on or have completed a bush plane project that would inspire backcountry pilots?
- Are you knowledgable in a technique, whether flying or mechanical, that would fit into our knowledge base? Rebuild a tailwheel or troubleshoot a problem in detail.
- Have a modification you'd like to write a how-to article for?
- Interested in testing some product or technology from this industry to write a review? I can use our name to try to secure some demo stuff.
- Are you good at making videos? Propose a video idea to me that we could publish via the modestly-subscribed BCP Youtube channel.
What's qualifying content?
The writing and photography will have to meet a certain minimum standard, and the topic must be related to backcountry flying in some way. I have intentionally kept the content we publish very focused. Expertise or competence on the knowledge stuff must be clear.
Or, find an incomplete entry in the knowledge base and expand it out. There are several that need help...mountain flying, for example.
The more and better content we can publish, the more advertising accounts I can secure. A chunk of that money can pay contributors. How much is appropriate? I'm not sure just yet, but it would certainly pay for at least a tank of two of avgas. The standard has been steadily rising with quality content from the likes of Hammer, Bigrenna, MTV, etc. If I need to sweeten the pot a little to provide some gas money, I will.
PM me, or write to me at [email protected], and let me know if you'd like to put something together. We can work together to develop it, and no coding or any skills beyond taking photos and writing are required. In fact, I've just set up a system that will make it extremely easy for you to write, add photos, and organize.
Don't be intimated. If you have even an inkling of an idea, share it with me. Perhaps talking about it will help it materialize from the ether.
Thank you!
Zane
