Kerry Lynch stepped into the role of editor of the&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;monthly magazine in May 2022 after serving with&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;for eight years. She joined&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;in December 2014 as a senior editor covering Washington and business aviation news. She has also served on Convention News teams, including as editor of&nbsp;HAI Convention News. Lynch previously spent 25 years with Aviation Week. During her time there, she reported for and later steered&nbsp;The Weekly of Business Aviation, oversaw business aviation content on the&nbsp;Aviation Week Intelligence Network, served on the&nbsp;Show News&nbsp;staff, and held roles as the Washington columnist for&nbsp;Business &amp; Commercial Aviation&nbsp;and&nbsp;Overhaul &amp; Maintenance&nbsp;monthly magazines. In 2021 she was honored with the National Business Aviation Association Platinum Wing Award for lifetime achievement in journalism and was the 2004 recipient of the National Air Transportation Association’s Aviation Journalism Excellence Award. She also has been a recipient of an Aerospace Media Award for business aviation (2022) and NBAA Gold Wing Award (2003, 2024). Lynch graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor of arts in journalism.

Editor, AIN monthly magazine

Kerry Lynch

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 is celebrating the graduation of its inaugural class of its academy established in January as the MRO looks to build the pipeline of its next generation of workers. Formed in partnership with Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC), West Star Aviation Academy (WSSA) graduated an initial class of 23 and has welcomed the next 25 students who will complete their coursework and hands-on training in second-quarter 2025.
The graduating class marks a key milestone in West Star’s innovative approach to developing its workforce, the company said. Under the program, prospective apprentices are screened, interviewed, and hired into a full-time paid position. The participants must complete a customized Part 147 airframe maintenance curriculum in a dedicated West Star classroom and hangar over 7.5 months. Under this approach, West Star said apprentices can fully focus on developing the necessary skills rather than having to balance work and training.
By undergoing a tailored curriculum, graduates are prepared to join the MRO with hands-on experience with West Star’s aircraft, systems, manuals, and procedures. “We’ve learned a massive amount about how aircraft work, how to repair them, and how to perform maintenance. The knowledge we’re gaining is very applicable to our work,” said David Magg, the first student to test and pass his mechanic certificate and airframe rating through WSAA.
WSAA credited its strong partnerships with SWIC and community organizations for the program. “WSAA has set a new standard for aviation education, combining academic excellence with practical, hands-on experience,” said Brad Sparks, dean of the aviation program at SWIC.
As WSAA kicks off training for its second group of apprentices, the company is eyeing future expansions of the program as it continues to grow rapidly. West Star said such announcements will be forthcoming over time.
“We’re proud to offer unique opportunities for individuals to develop their skills and launch successful careers in aviation,” said Katie Johnson, chief people officer at West Star Aviation. “WSAA is a testament to our commitment to investing in our people and ensuring the continued excellence of our workforce.”

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