Available Positions Include Associate Editor, Volunteer Event Correspondents

As a journalist and a pilot, I have to tell you there is no better marriage of vocation and avocation than working as an aviation reporter and editor. Seriously. The late musician Harry Chapin once told me his biggest fear was that someday, someone would walk up to him and say, "Harry, the jig is up. It's time to get a real job." Now that I do what I love, I can understand. The truth is, if you love your work, it's like hardly working at all. That's what working at ANN is all about.

I started out here as a volunteer correspondent at Airventure in Oshkosh, WI, a few years back. For me, it was a great way to get to the big show and see all the sights. I got great access to events and people you generally don't get to see up close and personal as a mere spectator. ANN paid for my transportation, lodging and meals. And, heck, I was going to Airventure anyway!

There were other opportunities to "go to the show" on ANN's ticket, see the sights and write stories: ICAS, AOPA Expo... ANN covers all the big events and a lot of the smaller ones as well.

You might remember that we put out the call for volunteer reporters last year. We had a great response -- and we ended up hiring several of those who volunteered. So many, in fact, that we need to again put out the call. As you can see, there's plenty of room for advancement in this growing organization.

I then became the associate editor, writing and posting stories on the weekends and when needed to fill in during the week. That was a paying job and, like Harry Chapin, my worst fear was that someone would find me out. I worked just a few hours on the weekends, yet carried a byline and a slot on the masthead for one of the most prestigious online publications in all of aviation.

I've now become senior editor here, putting together everything that I've learned in almost three decades of reporting and in almost 20 years of flying general aviation. It's been a great ride and I'm glad I climbed on board.

If you're interested in either testing the water or jumping right in, let us know. Send me an email telling me what you'd like to do -- either act as a volunteer correspondent for major aviation events and other occasional assignments, or working as an associate editor primarily responsible for putting together our weekend edition. Let me know something about your experience and include a sample of your writing.

And that's all you have to do! We'll be in touch! -- Pete Combs, ANN Senior Editor

FMI: ANN Opportunities