New Assoc. Editors Don't Know What They've Gotten Themselves
Into... Hehe
As Aero-News gears up
for more exciting changes to come -- including more capabilities,
more features, and a MAJOR site upgrade -- it became clear we were
going to need A LOT more bodies around here (otherwise known as
"fresh meat") to help us out. Fortunately, we had the opportunity
to work with several individuals as stringers at this year's
AirVenture celebration in Oshkosh... and in that time, two
individuals, in particular, rose to the top.
Despite warnings to the contrary and against better judgment
(grin) -- and much like last year's newbie, Rob Finfrock, did
after Oshkosh -- both of them agreed to sign on for the ANN
Experience. And so it is our privilege to welcome our
latest staffers -- James Aronovsky, and Mark Sletten.
As Associate Editors, both Mark and James will be responsible
for gathering breaking news and bringing it to our readers daily.
Each will also play an important role in areas they bring their
particular (peculiar?) talents and enthusiasm to -- Mark in
military and sport aviation, and James in photography.
Mark Sletten
Mark Sletten is a 20-year USAF veteran. He retired as a Senior
Master Sergeant (E-8) after a flying backwards for 5000 hours -- as
a KC-135 In-flight Refueling Specialist (Boom Operator)! He had the
opportunity to refuel every air refueling (AR)-capable receiver in
the USAF inventory including the SR-71 Blackbird, the F-117
Nighthawk and the B-2 Spirit. He successfully completed over 50
combat AR missions in and around Iraq and Bosnia during Operations
Desert Storm and Allied Force. His military decorations include the
Meritorious Service Medal and three Air Medals.
Since retirement from the USAF, Mark has worked for FlightSafety
Services Corporation at Scott AFB, IL developing and maintaining
classroom and simulator courseware in support of KC-135E pilot
training for the Air National Guard. He has a Bachelor's Degree
from Southern Illinois University -- Carbondale, and is a 1000-hour
pilot. Along with his wife, Lisa, Mark owns an AA-5 Traveler -- and
he spends the majority of his free time cleaning epoxy off his
hands and scratching his head trying to interpret the well-written
construction manual for a Lancair Legacy FG kitplane.
James Aronovsky
James has been an aviation fanatic ever since as a six-year old,
he was allowed to sit in his Air Force father's B-47 jet bomber and
lower the flaps. (This was before there were such rules prohibiting
toddlers from operating Strategic Air Command nuclear bombers.)
James has spent over half of his time in the field of aviation. The
rest of the time, he fritters away making his living as a magazine
photojournalist and writer.
His most memorable experience was flying with the Canadian
Snowbirds while on assignment for Newsweek Magazine, though most
assignments are for slightly less glamorous publications such as
Industrial Distribution Monthly, and Legal Assistant Today. James
currently lives in San Diego, CA. He has been a pilot since 1979
with over 800 hours logged. He is very close to completing his
instrument rating and will take his checkride once he can neatly
remove the ADF from the panel, since he only uses it for sports
scores.
Please join us in welcoming James and Mark to the ANN staff!
(Editor's Note -- It's important to mention
that many more people also helped us out during Oshkosh... and we
haven't forgotten about them. You'll be seeing more from Annette,
Lisa, Scott, and others down the road, too.)
Unfortunate... ANN/SportPlane Resource Guide Adds To Cautionary Advisories
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