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.)

FMI: www.aero-news.net