We’re always looking for knowledgeable, passionate writers and builders who can share insights, stories, and technical know-how from the world of experimental aviation. Whether you’ve learned a hard lesson, discovered a clever trick, or simply want to pay your experience forward, we’d love to hear from you.
The Experimental Aviator
1. Query First
Before you begin writing, please send us a query describing your idea. We’ll let you know if it fits our editorial needs and help you tailor your approach, focus, and word count.
- Typical length:
- Short posts: ~200 words
- Feature articles: ~2,000 words
- Narrow technical topics: somewhere in between
We do not accept AI-generated content. We can tell the difference—and so can our readers.
We also do not accept broad, generic topics like “Why airplanes are cool.” Focus on insight, process, or lessons learned.
2. What We’re Looking For
One of the best things an aircraft builder can do is help the next one. Ask yourself:
- What challenges did you overcome—and how?
- What would you do differently if you started again?
- What tips or techniques could save another builder time or frustration?
- What worked brilliantly, and what didn’t?
We especially value hands-on, experience-based articles that reveal process and perspective.
3. Flight Reviews and Kit Reviews
Our readers are builders and pilots who want real-world information about aircraft performance and the companies behind the kits. A strong review usually includes three parts:
- The Flight Review
Cover handling, performance, systems, and special features—everything a pilot would expect in a detailed flight report. - The Kit Itself
Describe materials, component quality, construction difficulty, required tools, quick-build or owner-assist options—details buyers can’t find in brochures. - The Company
Include a brief history, facilities overview, and impressions of customer support and build documentation. Builders invest not just in a kit, but in a long-term relationship with the manufacturer.
4. Photography & Illustrations
Strong visuals make great stories even better. You don’t need professional equipment—just a steady hand, good light, and attention to detail.
General Tips:
- Use a camera or smartphone capable of 5MP or higher (most modern phones qualify).
- Always provide original, full-resolution images.
- Avoid cluttered backgrounds and keep the subject centered.
- Capture both horizontal and vertical versions of key shots for layout flexibility.
Types of Shots to Include:
- Establishing shots – overall scenes that introduce the project or aircraft.
- Process shots – close-ups showing a task step-by-step.
- Action shots – builders at work, tools in use, or aircraft in flight.
Early morning or late afternoon lighting works best for aircraft photography. Don’t be afraid to experiment with low angles or dramatic perspectives.
5. Show the Process
The Experimental Aviator thrives on how things are done. When documenting a process, photograph it as a sequence:
For example:
Start with the raw part → show the tool → show the tool in action → show the finished result.
Whenever possible, include both wide (context) and close-up (detail) shots, taken from multiple angles and orientations. This makes it easier to design a clear, step-by-step presentation for readers.
Take many photos per article and pick the best ones to send us; we’ll further select what best supports the story.
6. Submitting Your Work
Text:
- Submit drafts via email in MS Word or Apple Pages format.
- Do not embed photos in the document. You can submit a second document with embedded images to show your preferred order.
- Include captions and filenames where each image should appear.
Images:
- For large batches or high-res files, we will set up a Google Drive or DropBox folder.
We’ll review your submission, provide feedback or revision notes, and let you know the expected publication timeline.
7. Questions?
We’re happy to guide you through any part of the process—from shaping an idea to preparing images for upload.
Email: experimental@avbrief.com
