Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

West Star Aviation specializes in airframe repair and maintenance, engine repair and maintenance, major modifications, avionics installation and repair, interior refurbishment, paint, parts, surplus avionics sales, window repair and accessory services.

West Star Aviation has selected the the next group of 25 maintenance technician apprentices for its West Star Aviation Academy (WSAA) at the company’s facility in East Alton, Illinois.&nbsp;
WSAA opened earlier this year in collaboration with Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) as part of an initiative to address the shortage of aircraft mechanics. Located onsite, the WSAA consists of a dedicated classroom and a learning hangar. Apprentices get hands-on training with standard tools and other components including a Falcon aircraft while using WSAA-branded versions of Corridor aviation software and other forms and procedures to simulate on-the-job experiences.&nbsp;
“Since its inception, WSAA has received a tremendous amount of recognition, reaffirming West Star’s position as a leader in the industry by offering this program and aiding in the industry’s work shortage,” said West Star Aviation COO Allen McReynolds.
WSAA expects the first cohort of 25 apprentices to graduate in August. After completing four weeks of specific job training, the graduates will begin working at West Star on the Falcon, Bombardier, and Gulfstream programs in mid-September.
The second cohort will begin training immediately after the graduation of the first cohort. Recruiting for apprentices will continue for each upcoming session.&nbsp;

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West Star Aviation Academy Recruits More Maintenance Technician Apprentices 

The aviation maintenance school is collaborating with Southwestern Illinois College

The West Star Aviation Academy has selected 25 more maintenance technician apprentices and they will start training after the first cohort graduates in August.

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