I get AOPA Pilot, like everyone, but some months it's just too boring
to even begin reading. It seems like the kind of flying magazine that
would have been published in the old USSR. Painfully official.

On the other hand, P&P and Private Pilot seem terribly lightweight and
disorganized. Sometimes I'll buy them on the newstand if they are
covering something of particular interest, but I'd probably never
subscribe.

I really like Flying...and I don't even read Lane Wallace most months
(although I do think she's great, and my wife has several of her
pieces posted in her office). Flying seems to hit the right balance a
lot of the time, and I don't think I could live without Garrison
(checkout www.melmoth2.com if you're a fan). Probably too much
business jet coverage, but I imagine a lot of their ad revenue comes
from bizjet builders. I'm willing to let Collins be Collins, although
I certainly understand why many may be absolutely sick of him by now.

But if I could read only one flying magazine, it would have to be the
Aviation Consumer. Absolutely authoritative, totally free of
advertising pressure and willing to kick up a storm of controversy if
need be. On top of that, I KNOW reading it has saved me a small
fortune as an aircraft owner. It's worth the subcription price just to
get access to their awesome web site, which is unequalled by anybody.
No, I don't work for them. Try it and see.