Guest Publisher Statement

About AviNation

AviNation exists to attract, educate and empower youth in aviation. AviNation magazine strives to give readers insight into the future of aviation by focusing on aviation students, programs, events and innovative approaches to the promotion and continued growth of the aviation industry.

Staff & Contributors Publisher: Jacob Peed Copy Editors: Vicky Rink Administrative & Circulation Coordinator: Jessica Peed Design & Production: Barb Betts & Sam Tusha, Lime Valley Advertising, Inc. Mankato, MN

Correspondence Editorial submissions and other correspondence E-mail: jppeed@gmail.com Phone: (515) 408-3763 www.avinationusa.com

Advertising Phone: (515) 408-3763 E-mail: jppeed@gmail.com www.avinationusa.com

Contributing Writers

Airbus Douglas Adomatis Jill Meyers Kristopher Olson Lift Academy Matt Ferrari Mike Shelly Mike Thompson Mike Zidziunas Natalie Kelley Nicholas Poucher

Thank you to our Cornerstone Supporter

Guest Commentary

I remember in early 2017 having conversations with my friend Jacob who, was at a crossroads. He had been in publishing and aviation for some time. Those publications had been heavily involved in helping to tell the exciting stories coming out of the sport aviation industry for some time. I think he was beginning to feel a change in the wind and was looking for direction. In his role as a publisher, Jacob had always been willing to publish the stories coming out of Lakeland Aero Club and the cool things happening at the newly formed Aerospace Center for Excellence at SUN ‘n FUN. As we talked about what we were doing and what was a clear need for pilots, mechanics and aviation professionals growing in the aviation industry, an idea began to form…

AviNation was launched in July of 2017, more pamphlet than magazine, but it was a start. And it started people talking, and stories came in from everywhere. People in the industry started to take notice of some of the youth programs out there and bit by bit AviNation grew and took-on its own life. It was a good idea whose time has come, and its growth has paralleled the growth of the youth programs it promotes.

As the focal point of the “ Mentor Network”, AviNation is made possible by the people it supports and promotes, the students, mentors, their stories, their passion and the sponsors and advertisers putting their money where their mouths are by supporting youth aviation. These are key partners and industry stakeholders; whose financial support puts ink on paper and magazines out into the world. Jacob took a big chance on this idea, literally betting the house on it. So, I am glad to see this great idea blossom as a lot of heart and soul goes into it, and I’m excited for the future of AviNation and the young aviators it reaches. As we are fond of saying around here “The sky is…just the beginning”.

Mike Z.

President, Lakeland Aero Club

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