Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

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Matt Thurber

The Louisiana Rotor Pathway Program is joining similar programs in Utah and North Dakota and will help high school students learn about opportunities in vertical aviation maintenance and gain college credit. The Vertical Aviation International (VAI) Rotor Pathway Program was <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2019-08-19/utah-launches-rotor-career-pathway-program">launched in 2019</a> at Southern Utah University and Utah Valley University, with students at Cedar Valley High School in Eagle Mountain, Utah.
In Louisiana, students from the Bossier Parish and Caddo Parish school districts will participate in the Rotor Pathway at Southern University at Shreveport.
“The program comes as the vertical aviation industry faces a growing need for qualified maintenance professionals,” according to VAI. “By introducing students to aviation maintenance while they are still in high school, the Rotor Pathway Program creates a direct route from education to careers in an essential segment of the industry.”
“The launch of the Louisiana Rotor Pathway Program is a testament to the dedication, professionalism, and commitment to aviation demonstrated by leaders across Louisiana,” said VAI executive v-p Cade Clark. “There is a tremendous need in our industry to increase the number of qualified mechanics, and I am excited that Louisiana is leading an initiative that gives students the opportunity to discover rewarding careers in vertical aviation maintenance. I want to thank the government, education, and industry partners who have stepped up to make this program a reality and are investing in the next generation of aviation mechanics.”

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Vertical Aviation International (VAI)

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