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

The Kansas Department of Commerce has officially recognized Textron Aviation’s maintenance and paint apprenticeship programs. The two-year programs, which are now state-registered apprenticeships,&nbsp;support the company’s long-term workforce plan and offer prospective and current employees opportunities to try new fields, learn new skills, and boost their competencies, the company said.
“Textron Aviation has long been committed to building educational and community collaborations that benefit our employees, company, region, and the state of Kansas, particularly in developing a skilled workforce that maintains our advantage in a competitive, global market,” said Textron Aviation senior v-p of HR and communications Maggie Topping. “These apprenticeships are another way we provide employees a solid foundation for success and ongoing support throughout their careers.”
Program participants receive benefits and pay during on-the-job and classroom training. In a typical week, employees divide their time attending training at Wichita State University (WSU) Tech and working with assigned mentors at Textron Aviation production facilities. The company also pays for program-related tuition and fees.
Textron Aviation, the state of Kansas, WSU Tech, and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers collaborated on the program to help address long-term production and workforce needs and reinforce Wichita’s <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2023-09-26/wichita-aviation-take-center-stage-nbaa-bace-2023">status as a global aerospace hub</a>.
The company continues to expand its earn-and-learn opportunities, including airframe and powerplant, avionics, and computer numerical control machining and tooling programs.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

Textron’s Apprenticeship Program Registered with Kansas Commerce Department

The OEM fully pays for program tuition and fees 

The Kansas Commerce Department has officially recognized Textron Aviation’s maintenance and paint apprenticeship programs as state-registered apprenticeships.

Kansas Recognizes Textron’s Apprenticeship Programs

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Jessica Reed

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Robert Seidel is chairman of Alerion Aviation , Wes Romaine president of ACI Aviation Consulting 

People in Aviation April 2025

Amy Wilder

Advocacy training focuses on workforce, safety, and regulatory issues

NBAA YoPro Fly-In To Address Key Aviation Issues in June

Curt Epstein

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Reiser will deliver an H135/H145 full-flight sim to European Heli Center’s new HQ

Simulator Maker To Supply New European Training Center

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

The six-week program will lead to a 19-week paid internship

Ab Initio Aircraft Painting Course to Start in UK

Charles Alcock

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Private equity group TJC has bought L3Harris’ avionics, data, and training unit

L3Harris Avionics/Training Unit Renamed Acron Aviation

Sarah Rose

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Hybrid aviation training aims to connect students, instructors

Skyfarer Academy Expands with In-person Flight Training

Avianis integration simplifies staffing for operators

New Integration Links Avianis to Staffing Marketplace

News and information about crew, passenger, aircraft and airport security issues.

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Textron Aviation

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