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Paul Thum began his career in aviation as a pilot and flight instructor, accumulating over 5,000 hours of flying experience by the age of 26. After transitioning from flying to air traffic control due to the FAA's air traffic controller strike in 1981, Thum began as an air traffic assistant. Over the years, he worked his way up to become an Operation Supervisor at the New York Center by 1989, where he supervised operations in significant airport sectors, including airports in the New York area.