Ian Sheppard has acted as Editor International Show Editions for AIN since June 2013. Based in the Redhill, England, Ian reports for the various AIN publications as well as providing support to International Editor Charles Alcock in covering international air shows (such as Farnborough, Paris, Singapore and Dubai), and the EBACE and MEBA business aviation events. His central role is to cover Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
Prior to becoming more involved with AIN in mid-2011 (initially as deputy international editor), Ian worked for various aviation publications through his company, First Aerospace Media. This included being part of the AIN team covering daily news at international air shows.
Ian has worked for publications such as Flight International (technical reporter, 1997-8) and Aerospace International (editor, 1999-2000). He was publications manager at Airclaims (Ascend) between 2000 and 2004 before forming First Aerospace Media. Since mid-2009 Ian has also been managing editor of Regional International, the journal of the European Regions Airline Association (ERA).
Ian hasis working towards a European commercial pilot licence, having held an FAA private pilot license in 1991, and instructor rating. He also has a degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Bath, England, and a graduate diploma in law from Kingston University, and is a graduate of the legal practice course (College of Law, Guildford).

Editor

Ian Sheppard

HEMS Academy, the simulator training arm of German air ambulance specialist ADAC, has announced that it will add a new Eurocopter EC145T2 full-flight simulator in 2015. This follows ADAC’s order last September for 14 new EC145T2 helicopters to replace its aging BK117 B2 fleet. The new helicopters will be equipped with the EuroAvionics EuroNav7 navigation system upgrades, which will also be included in the simulator. Meanwhile an EC145T2 systems training device will be brought online in mid-2014, allowing for web-based training on the type.


“All EC145T2 customers are invited to participate in the development and customization of the EC145T2 full flight simulator and the system trainer,” said Thomas Gassman, HEMS Academy director of business development and sales.


The Academy (Booth No. C4508) has also launched a project to convert its EC135 analog-instrumented full flight simulator into an EC135 EFIS-equipped digital-cockpit simulator, which will be qualified by the end of this year. HEMS Academy is also at Heli-Expo’13 promoting its expanded capabilities which allow doctors, paramedics and pilots to train for real situations. It has recently added a second full-scale mock-up equipped as a regular intensive care helicopter, this time based on the BK117 model helicopter. Its first mock-up is based on the EC135, said Gassman.


The Academy highlights that its base at Airfield Bonn-Hangelar in Sankt Augustin, Germany, is centrally located, within an hour drive of three international airports in Frankfurt, Cologne and Düsseldorf. Launched in 2009, the Academy specializes in pilot training in EC135 and EC145 full-flight simulators, and customers include operators from all over the world. The simulators are built by QinetiQ subsidiary cueSim.


ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club) operates 50 helicopters, making it one of Europe’s largest HEMS operations. It has about 50 rescue stations throughout Germany and flies some 50,000 missions a year.


HEMS Academy is keen to stress International Helicopter Safety Team findings, which highlighted 10 ways to help prevent helicopter accidents, most of which could be practiced in a full flight simulator. These included improved autorotation training, advanced maneuvers and better emergency procedure training. The Academy added, “Participants in the Royal Aeronautical Society’s mission training rehearsal in London in 2012 stated unanimously that for psychomotor training, skill training and mission training, the full flight simulator is the best solution.”

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