2016 media kit - Trade-A

2016 MEDIA KIT
1
Gulf Coast Avionics has been advertising with Trade-A-Plane since January 1985
with incredible results for more than 30 years! We have relied on Trade-A-Plane
to share the latest avionics technology all over the world not only in print, but
online as well.
–Rick Garcia, President
Gulf Coast Avionics Corp.
Lakeland, FL
Yes, I sold my 150 yesterday evening. This was my first
time using Trade-A-Plane. You have a very satisfied
customer here. The ad was easy to place online, and the
customer service I experienced yesterday when I added
the photos was most excellent!
—Doug Robertson
Welcome to the world of Trade-A-Plane!
There are many choices available to aviation marketing professionals, but we believe there is only one
obvious choice. Since 1937, Trade-A-Plane has been THE worldwide Aviation MarketPlace. We have been
bringing buyers and sellers together in a cost-effective way for nearly eight decades. For Piper Cubs to
Gulfstream Jets, Trade-A-Plane is the first place prospective buyers look for aircraft, aircraft parts, avionics,
services and aviation real estate. Our audience, both online and in print, is unequaled.
Our founder, Cosby Harrison, started out as a homebuilder in the 1920’s, building a glider in his living room.
He purchased his first powered plane, a 1929 Laird Swallow TP, from the Laird factory in Wichita. His early
flying exploits—and mishaps—led to the founding of Trade-A-Plane in 1937.
The Trade-A-Plane logo depicts our mission: to bring aviation
buyers and sellers together from around the world. The
print manifestation of our marketplace is supported by a
distribution of over 120,000 copies each month, circulated in
over 100 countries. Each and every year we also hand deliver
tens of thousands of additional copies at trade shows and
aviation events around the globe.
Trade-A-Plane.com:
653,000 visits and
6 million pageviews
per month
Source: Google Analytics, August 2015
Our online presence, via our website, mobile site, apps and social media, is second to none. Our latest Google
Analytics data (ask our competition for theirs!) validates that Trade-A-Plane.com averages 6 million pageviews
per month, comprised of 653,000 visits from aviation buyers in 233 countries and territories. And what are all
those pilots and aircraft buyers looking at? It’s not articles or pictures; they are searching the latest offerings
from our thousands of advertisers.
Our marketing professionals stand ready to help you leverage the power of Trade-A-Plane, across several
mediums, to achieve your marketing objectives. We will tailor an integrated program to help you generate
greater visibility and product awareness, greater direct response, more click-throughs, greater web traffic,
and ultimately, more revenue.
Finally, as a family business with deep roots in aviation, we strive to always live up to the golden rule in
how we treat you and how we do business with everyone. We work very hard to keep Trade-A-Plane free
from scams and false offerings. We observe that many of our competitors do not. They’d rather have false
inventory (i.e., aircraft that don’t exist or are not really for sale) on their sites than “no inventory.” We pledge
to always work for the best interests of both our advertisers and buyers and we look foward to serving you.
Sincerely,
Rachel C. Hill
Publisher
3
Spend some time with an old friend.
Trade-A-Plane print edition benefits for advertisers
Since 1937, hundreds of thousands of aircraft owners and
pilots all over the world have often (and affectionately)
referred to Trade-A-Plane’s print edition as “the bible of
aviation.” Little wonder, since it is, after all, the definitive
word on what is available in the General Aviation
marketplace.
Even other publishers consider Trade-A-Plane the “pulse”
of the market, an authoritative source from which they
occasionally quote airplane prices. For buyers and sellers
alike, Trade-A-Plane is like an old friend you can count
on, one that never lets you down or disappoints. One
you can dream with, one that works—and works hard—
to help you build your business.
Trade-A-Plane delivers your message to buyers three times a month.
Quick turnaround from closing dates to mailing ensures that pricesensitive inventory gets immediate exposure.
LISTING UPGRADES
SPECIAL SECTIONS
Upgrades are available for classified print listings,
including photos, logos, bold type, color highlights
and additional lines. Some upgrades expand
online benefits like home page rotation.
The print edition classified listings are organized by aircraft type,
including Jets and Turboprops. These special sections insure that
buyers easily find what they are looking for.
PRINT ADS ARE UPDATED WITH EACH NEW ISSUE.
4
Then take time to make a new one.
Trade-A-Plane online benefits for advertisers
If you haven’t seen the all-new Trade-A-Plane.com,
then you haven’t seen today’s Trade-A-Plane. It’s a
whole new way to buy and sell online! The site is
open for business in every sense of the word. Buyers
are free to search for anything, anywhere, all the
time, because no subscription is required!
With much more content that is continuously
updated, the site is well organized and easy to
navigate. Aircraft, Engines, Parts/Products, Real
Estate and Services/Misc. categories organize
detailed search results. Online exposure is included
with print advertising at no additional cost. Our
staff will work closely with you to synchronize your
online and print ads, helping you to put together a
professional, results-oriented plan.
Buyers can search aircraft and other categories quickly and easily from our home page. The new site allows you to manage your own inventory
at your convenience, with detailed reports.
COMPLETE LISTINGS
All aircraft listings appear online and are totally searchable. Each listing
has its own page with specs, multiple photos, and the ability for buyers to
contact sellers directly.
EXTRA BENEFITS
Advertiser banner ads appear on our homepage and also
rotate throughout our site (packages vary, ask rep for
details). Home page photo rotation as a Featured Listing for
aircraft is available as a classified upgrade.
AD PACKAGES INCLUDE PRINT, WEB, SOCIAL MEDIA & SHOWS!
5
Aircraft owners say...online and in print, Trade-A-Plane is
General Aviation’s most powerful marketing tool. Period.
Ninety-six percent (96%) of our survey respondents,* who are
aircraft owners, at least skim through a typical issue of TradeA-Plane, including 48% who read half or more. On average,
recipients pass their print copy of Trade-A-Plane to 1.3 people,
more than doubling our print readership.
PARTS, PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
When asked which one tool is their primary shopping tool for
aviation products, Trade-A-Plane won easily with a vote of 61%!
Second was Barnstormers with 11%, followed by AOPA Pilot with
10%, Sport Aviation with 7%, and Controller with 4%.
BUSINESS AVIATION SPENDING
Twelve percent (12%) of Trade-A-Plane readers have a business
involvement with aviation, either through corporate flight
departments or involvement in an aviation business.
Of those readers employed in an aviation-related job, two out
of three are involved with their organization’s aviation-related
expenditures.
Readers’ Average Business Aviation
Expenditures (past 12 months)
Aircraft
$1.26 million
Aviation Fuel
$1.09 million
On average, GA aircraft owners personally spent $7,160 in the
last 12 months on items (other than aircraft) related to GA, via
aviation publications and websites.
Engines/Engine parts
$959,000
Parts/Accessories
$836,000
On average, GA aircraft owners personally spent $3,100 in the
last 12 months on items (other than aircraft) related to GA, by
responding specifically to Trade-A-Plane or Trade-A-Plane.com.
Avionics/Instruments
$735,000
PERSONAL SPENDING
When the two are compared, Trade-A-Plane alone accounts for
43% of the personal spending for General Aviation products
and services.
Sixty-seven percent (67%) of aircraft owners with a corporate
or business connection to aviation said that Trade-A-Plane is
their primary shopping tool for aviation products, representing
a margin of over 3 to 1 over the second place finisher
(Trade-A-Plane 67%, Barnstormer 18%, and AOPA Pilot 10%).
Profile of a Trade-A-Plane reader:
90% own aircraft
$1 million net worth
6
$193,000 annual income
On average, recipients
pass their print copy
of Trade-A-Plane to 1.3
people, more than doubling
our print readership.
BUYING AND SELLING
BUSINESS AIRCRAFT BUYING
When asked to rate aviation media on their usefulness when
searching to buy aircraft or aviation equipment, Trade-A-Plane
was rated “useful” or “very useful” by 69% of the market.
Eighteen percent (18%) of Trade-A-Plane’s business readers plan to
acquire a used aircraft in the next 12 months. Four percent (4%) of
Trade-A-Plane’s business readers plan to acquire a new aircraft in the
next 12 months.
That’s a 2 to 1 margin over the second place choice (2nd place
Barnstormers 29%; 3rd place AOPA Pilot 23%; 4th place Sport
Aviation 16%; 5th place Controller 15%). Responders could
choose multiple mediums on this question.
When asked to rate aviation media on their usefulness when
seeking to sell aircraft or aviation equipment, Trade-A-Plane
was rated “useful” or “very useful” by 58% of the market.
That’s a margin of nearly 3 to 1 over second place (2nd place
Barnstormers 24%; 3rd place Controller 12%; 4th place AOPA
Pilot 6%; 5th place Aero Trader, 6%). Responders could choose
multiple mediums on this question.
GENERAL AIRCRAFT BUYING
Fourteen percent (14%) of Trade-A-Plane readers plan to acquire a
used aircraft in the next 12 months.
Two percent (2%) of Trade-A-Plane readers plan to acquire a new
aircraft in the next twelve months. (Note: While this percentage is
small, when extrapolated to the total market represented by TradeA-Plane readers, it accounts for essentially 100% of new aircraft
purchases).
Trade-A-Plane has been a very effective
advertising medium for us...in fact a good
percentage of our calls come from our ad
the customers see in Trade-A-Plane.
–Robert Jamieson
MH Oxygen Systems
Twenty-two percent (22%) of our business readers bought at least
one new or used aircraft in the last 12 months. Eight percent (8%) of
our business readers bought at least one new or used turboprop or
jet in the last 12 months.
Percentage of Readers Planning to Buy
(Next 12 months)
Business Readers Personal Readers
(12% of readers) (88% of readers)
Airframe Parts
49%
28%
Engines/Engine Parts
42%
25%
Aviation Hardware/Software 24%
23%
Aviation Medical Service
27%
22%
Books/Memorabilia
25%
21%
Headsets
20%
17%
New Panel – New Avionics
14%
14%
Used Aircraft – Factory
18%
12%
Used Aircraft – Experimental
--
3%
New Aircraft – Factory
4%
2%
New Aircraft – Experimental
--
3%
*Source: Survey conducted by Readex Research, Stillwater, MN, of U.S. aircraft owners, including
both subscribers and non-subscribers to Trade-A-Plane. However, all respondents are recipients
of Trade-A-Plane, since its controlled circulation reaches all U.S. aircraft owners at least once per
quarter. The survey sample of 2,600 was selected in systemic, stratified fashion by Trade-A-Plane
and Readex Research from Trade-A-Plane’s domestic, named, January 2013 circulation (paid and
controlled), representing 101,347 recipients at the time of sample selection. Data was collected
via mail survey from March 5 to April 1, 2013. The survey was closed for tabulation with 809
usable responses—a 31% response rate. The margin of error for percentages based on 809 usable
responses is ±3.4% at the 95% confidence level.
61% of survey respondents said that Trade-A-Plane is their
primary shopping tool for aviation products.
7
Trade-A-Plane has been a key publication in the advertising
program at Aircraft Spruce for over 30 years. Trade-A-Plane’s
“yellow pages” have proven to be a highly effective way to offer
our aircraft parts, avionics, and pilot supplies to customers
worldwide, and the website now provides even greater benefits.
—Jim Irwin,
Aircraft Spruce & Specialty
With well over a decade of experience as an advertiser in Trade-A-Plane, we want you to
know that the vast majority of our new customers find us in Trade-A-Plane. We have tried
others, but none bring results that even come close...the service and assistance we receive
is top notch. We expect to continue this relationship for many more years.
–Tom Heid
Aerospace Welding Minneapolis, Inc.
8
2016 Trade Show
Distribution
Trade-A-Plane has global reach with print
distribution in over 100 countries. About 1/4
of our monthly web traffic is international,
encompassing virtually every country in the
world!
Source: Google Analytics
EVENT
SHOW
U.S. Sport Aviation Expo
January 20-23
Sebring, FL
Singapore Air Show
February 16-21
Changi, Singapore
Northwest Aviation Conference & Trade Show
February 20-21
Puyallap, WA
Heli-Expo Helicopter Association International
March 1-3
Orlando, FL
Sun ‘n Fun
April 5-10
Lakeland, FL
Abace 2016
April 12-14
Shanghai, China
Aero Friedrichshafen
April 20-23
Friedrichshafen, Germany
The Great Alaska Aviation Gathering
April 30 - May 1
Anchorage, AK
Ebace 2016
May 24-26
Geneva, Switzerland
AeroExpo UK 2016
July 1-3
Northampton, UK
EAA Airventure
July 25-31
Oshkosh, WI
Copperstate Fly-In
TBA
Casa Grande, AZ
NBAA 2016
November 1-3
Orlando, FL
AOPA Fly-Ins
TBA
Locations throughout the U.S.
Additional trade show distribution is added throughout the year.
LOCATION
9
For the past four years, Trade-A-Plane has consistently generated an increasing number
of high quality leads from around the world for us. This holds true across the full range
of our business jet and turboprop brokerage listings, from a Beech King Air turboprop to
a Gulfstream, Falcon or Challenger large cabin long-range business jet, and all models in
between. Advertising in Trade-A-Plane has been a key to our company’s continued sales
success.
–Steve Fushelberger,Vice President - Marketing
Holstein Aviation, Inc.
Sarasota Avionics continues to see a large portion of our customer leads come as a
result of advertising with Trade-A-Plane, not only from the print magazine but also
referrals from Trade-A-Plane.com. From small beginnings, we relied almost exclusively
on Trade-A-Plane to help build our business, and we still look at Trade-A-Plane as a
staple of general aviation.
—Shawn McClintock
Vice President, Sarasota Avionics
After placing the ad in Trade-A-Plane for the sale of my two R44 helicopters, I started
receiving emails and calls almost immediately. The calls came from all over the U.S.
and South America. The first helicopter was sold in the first week. The second was
sold this week. Thank you for the excellent advertising coverage.
Jerry Kaplan, Echo Kilo, Inc.
10
Classified Advertising
CLASSIFIED
ADVERTISING
AD PACKAGES
LOGO PACKAGES
• Online listing 31 days
1” ad 2” ad 3” ad
• Detailed description
• Featured web logo
B/W
*
• Print ad with 3 lines
Standard $35/month
Expanded $49/month
• Online listing for 31 days
• Spec page with 20 photos
• Print ad with 3 lines*
• Reference number**
• Online listing for 31 days
• Spec page with 35 photos
• Print ad with 4 lines*
• Reference number**
Publisher’s Choice $119/month
• Online listing for 31 days
• Spec page with 40 photos
• Print ad with 5 lines*
• Reference number**
• Super photo***
All classified ad types require a three-line minimum charge and
appear in three consecutive issues–no less for one. For ads over
three lines, multiply the number of lines by the per line charge of
$9 per line.
If an ad misses an issue, please count as a new order (three-issue
minimum order still applies). All text ads can have bold type with
optional background color for a $4 per line up charge. Classified
advertising is not commissionable. No cash discounts.
Only ads listing specific, existing items of the appropriate manufacturer
can be listed under “Aircraft for Sale” classifications. Aircraft-related
parts, products and services will receive online visibility with a link
under the appropriate Make/Model results page. Ads appearing on
the Trade-A-Plane website can be cancelled at any time, but after
appearance on website the monthly minimum charge applies.
For Photo, Logo, or Classified Display Ads: All photo, logo, or
Classified Display ads are built onto a text ad. Each can be up to 3
inches in depth plus the text ad. All photos appear in process color
and up to 3 photos may be included with a Photo Ad. Searches and
links are pulled from the text of the ad, so we suggest that you include
web or email addresses and keywords in the text. We will crop photos/
logos to fit standard one-inch depth. Please identify aircraft type on
back of photo. For best reproduction send quality 35mm color prints
or high-res digital photos. Email photos to classified@trade-a-plane.
com. Only photos of appropriate aircraft may be run under aircraft
headings. Documents and graphics should be CMYK. Please do not
rely on the appearance of colors based on how they are represented
on a computer monitor.
$117$207 $297
Color
150273 396
CLASSIFIED/DISPLAY PACKAGES
• Online listing 31 days
1” ad 2” ad 3” ad
• Detailed description
• Featured web graphic
*
• Print ad with 3 lines
B/W
Color
$129$225 $327
171300 444
*Print ad appears in three consecutive issues of Trade-A-Plane.
**A quick reference number in your print ad helps prospective buyers quickly find your corresponding online listing.
***Super Photo appears in your print ad and rotates on the Trade-A-Plane.com aircraft home page.
No refunds available on packages, regardless of when advertised plane sells. However, ad can be cancelled at anytime.
Add-ons available. Ask rep for details.
Our online listings are like a website for your plane, product or service.
All print classified purchases include a corresponding online listing that
can include additional text, specs, photos, video links and PDFs. The
online listing reference number appears in the print edition, making it
easy for print readers to locate your more detailed online listing.
• Bold type with optional background color
• Referral ads
$4/line
$15 extra
• Blind ads
$18 extra
(name and address withheld, our box number used)
• Additional line charge
• Replies for foreign countries
(only bona fide replies forwarded)
• Blank line or short line
(used in separating items or aircraft)
$9
$33 extra
Standard line charge
• Email addresses
No extra charge
(Linked at no extra charge on our website.
No URL links to sites that we consider competitive.)
• Online listing
(Internet photo/spec sheets)
Included with all
print classifieds
• Additional print photos
(up to three)
ask rep for details
11
We are extremely pleased with the outstanding response we have received by consistently
placing ads in Trade-A-Plane. For 30 years, Trade-A-Plane has been a key advertising
vehicle for RAM, helping us to keep customers informed of our products and services. TradeA-Plane’s perfect balance of circulation and the online presence produces excellent results.
–Thomas Dunn
RAM Aircraft, LP
We run multiple ads in Trade-A-Plane. Great customer service helps us keep up to date
with our ads. Good exposure is critical to our business and Trade-A-Plane helps us achieve
that. Trade-A-Plane has become an intricate part of our business.
12
—Simon Brown
Platinum Fighter Sales
Redondo Beach, CA
DISPLAY ADVERTISING
PRINT, WEB, SOCIAL MEDIA & TRADE SHOWS—ALL FOR ONE LOW, MONTHLY PRICE!
• Bringing buyers and sellers together for 78 years
• Get TOTAL WORLDWIDE COVERAGE
• Our Google Analytics prove it
• All packages include unlimited listings in Online Part Catalog
• Frequency discounts available, ask your rep for details
DISPLAY ADVERTISING RATES – OTHER SIZES AND FREQUENCY DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
base rate
color rate
base rate
color rate
1/16 page
1/8 page
1/4 page
1/2 page
2.5” x 3.5”
2.5” x 7”
5.083” x 3.5”
2.5” x 14.25”
5.083” x 7”
10.167” x 3.5”
5.083” x 14.25“
10.167” x 7”
$951
$1,830
$3,495
$480
$1,320
$2,541
Junior page
$663
3/4 page
Full page
Double page
7.667” x 10.5”
7.667” x 14.25”
10.167” x 10.5”
10.167” x 14.25”
Two facing pages, 10.167” x 14.25” each
(non-bleeding)
$3,858
$5,190
$6,771
$12,819
$5,352
$7,194
$9,381
$17,772
Rates cover three consecutive issues; no less for one or two. Ads can
begin with any issue. Three-, Six- and 12-month discounts apply to
schedules contracted in advance. No rebates. Blind ads $18 extra per
month. Referral ads $15 extra. Bleeds not available.
Base rates are for black plus any one color, no less for black only. Rates
for black plus two or more colors same as process color rates. Single
colors will be simulated using process inks.
Copy and Reproduction Restrictions: high-resolution digital
photos or good quality 35mm prints required. No Polaroid photos.
Agencies must provide digital files complying with the Electronic
File Submission Guidelines at www.trade-a-plane.com/digital.
Include a color proof with digital files. We will reproduce “pleasing
color.” Please refer to guidelines online for additional information on
our reproduction standards. Copy changes can be made after each
three-issue run.
$4,842
The help and attention given by the
Trade-A-Plane staff have been very
much appreciated. I recommend to
anyone the service provided by TradeA-Plane. Keep up the good work!
—Francis Williams
Englewood, FL
13
MECHANICAL REQUIREMENTS
1. Web offset printing process. Saddle stitch binding method.
2. Column width: 2.5”; two columns: 5.083”; three columns: 7.667”;
four columns: 10.167”
3. Column depth: 14.25”; est. trim size: 10.75” wide by 14.875“ deep.
4. Minimum size space unit: One column by one inch (2.5”W by 1”D).
5. Ads must be as many inches deep as columns wide (excluding
horizontal 1/4 pages).
6. Send digital files that comply with the Electronic File Submission
Guidelines, or copy to be typeset. Mail proofs flat or in tube.
Complete info can be found at www.trade-a-plane.com/digital.
7. Any digital file repair or special artwork billed at cost.
8. Publisher will not be responsible for quality when clear, sharp
photos are not submitted.
9. Publisher recommends that type, lettering, rules and pictures
across gutter be avoided (except center spread) to allow tolerance
for some variation in folding and alignment of pages.
ISSUANCE & CLOSING DATES
Published 36 times a year (three issues per month). Issuance is
approximately six days after display closing dates or 36 hours after
classified closing times. Display and classified closing dates are,
respectively: First Issue, 26th* and 30th*; Second Issue, 6th and 10th;
Third Issue, 16th and 20th.
*Month preceding publication; all other dates month of publication. If
Saturday, one day earlier. If Sunday, one day later. Closing is noon Central
Time. For classified advertising, last-minute copy will not be accepted
unless accompanied by remittance to cover publication costs.
Send all correspondence and materials to addresses on the back of
this booklet. With certain strict guidelines you can also email ads or
provide them on a variety of media. For display ads, notify your sales
representative before electronically sending your ad. Important
specifications are at www.trade-a-plane.com/digital.
Last year we began to closely track the
source of our new customers. It came as
no surprise to us that our single largest
source of new customers was Trade-APlane.
14
14
–Brett C. Benton
Quality Aircraft Accessories
TERMS & COMMISSIONS
Cash with order. Major credit cards accepted. For classified ads,
absolutely no exceptions other than to local, state or federal institutions.
For wire transfers, please call sales representative for instructions.
1. Publisher will not be bound by any conditions appearing on order
blanks or copy instructions which conflict with any provision
contained in its rate card or with its policies.
2. Frequency rates are available when display space is contracted in
advance for three months (nine issues), six months (18 issues) or 12
consecutive months (36 issues).
3. Advertisers billed at contract rate who fail to fulfill such contract will
be short-rated.
4. Orders accepted are subject to change in rates upon one month’s
notice from the publisher. However, contracts may be cancelled at
the time the change in rates becomes effective without incurring a
short-rate adjustment, provided the contract rate has been earned
up to the date of cancellation.
5. Publisher reserves the right to hold advertiser and/or its advertising
agency jointly and severally liable for such monies as are due and
payable to the publisher. Late charges of 1½% per month (18%
annual percentage rate) will accrue on past due balances.
6. Publisher does not assume responsibility for the contents of
advertisements, and all representations or warrants made in such
advertising are those of the advertiser and not of the publisher.
Publisher is not liable to advertiser for any misprints in advertising
not the fault of the publisher. In such an event, the limit of the
publisher’s liability shall be only the amount of the publisher’s
charge for such advertising.
7. The publisher assumes no liability if for any reason it becomes
necessary to omit an advertisement.
8. Publisher is not liable for any delays in delivery and/or non delivery due
to any condition beyond the control of the publisher (i.e., act of God,
action by any government, insurrection, fire, explosion, strikes, etc.).
9. No cancellations/changes in orders accepted after closing dates.
10.Page number or position on page is not guaranteed.
11. The publisher assumes no liability for any errors in orders received by
telephone or after the first run on all other orders.
12.All advertising is subject to publisher’s approval. The publisher
reserves the right to reject advertising which is not in keeping with
the publication’s standards.
13.Contract advertisers are entitled to one complete change of copy
every three issues. When change of copy is not received by closing
date, copy run in previous issue will be inserted.
15% agency commission on display advertising to accredited
agencies. No cash discount. Agencies failing to pay their accounts on a
timely basis are subject to a late charge and forfeiture of commission.
Agency must submit digital files. Accurate proofs must accompany
all display advertisements. Ads that are submitted electronically
(disk, email, etc.) are commissionable providing they adhere to the
Electronic File Submission Guidelines. Refer to www.trade-a-plane.
com/digital. There is a charge for any digital file repair, composition,
or retouching done by the publisher.
The Trade-A-Plane Story
In 1932, when Cosby Harrison
crashed his airplane in stormy
weather, he could not have
realized the lasting impact of his
adventure. His slight misfortune
would give rise to a shoestring
operation that would become a
great entrepreneurial success—
and play a significant role in
aviation history.
Harrison was a private pilot from
Crossville, TN, who learned to
fly in the early thirties. Against
An original watercolor by Xavier Ironside, “How Trade-A-Plane
his father’s best advice, he had
Began,” memorializes Cosby Harrison’s 1932 crash near a
borrowed $995 from the local
railroad bridge in Harriman, TN.
bank to buy his airplane, a 1929
Swallow TP. The open cockpit
biplane had an overhauled, low–power, WWI OX5 engine. It was Crossville’s first flying machine.
Luckily, after the crash, only his ego was hurt but his airplane was in tatters. The determined aviator
encountered a great deal of frustration finding parts to repair it. Aviation magazine advertisements of the
day took months to generate a response. This became Harrison’s inspiration for starting Trade-A-Plane,
a buy/sell, non-editorial publication for aircraft and parts. At age 37, he and his wife, Margaret, began
publishing the tri-monthly paper on their kitchen table.
The first issue of Trade-A-Plane contained 76 ads and was mailed on October 5, 1937, to 9,000 transport
pilots registered in the United States. An original copy is housed in the Ramsey Room of the National
Air and Space Museum at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. During WWII, hundreds of
thousands of pilots were trained. When the war ended in 1945, these pilots helped General Aviation
thrive. Naturally, Trade-A-Plane grew with the industry.
A few years after the crash, Harrison sold his plane for $100. Although he died in 1984, his aviation
paper became the flagship publication of TAP Publishing, now a fourth-generation, family business
in Crossville. Besides Trade-A-Plane, TAP also produces similar papers for heavy construction (English
and Spanish), as well as oil and gas.
Even though already a worldwide business through its print circulation, TAP has expanded even more
internationally into online publishing. The company has websites for all of its magazines (Trade-A-Plane.com
was launched in 1997). The company also publishes NextTruckOnline.com for trucking, and created
weatherTAP.com, a subscription weather service. A commercial printing division serves other clients
throughout the United States.
15
174 4th Street, Crossville, Tennessee 38555 • PO Box 509, Crossville, Tennessee 38557
(phone) 800-337-5263 • 931-484-5137 | (fax) 800-423-9030 • 931-484-2532
www.trade-a-plane.com | [email protected] | [email protected]