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

Aero engine nacelles have become an important focus for Northern Ireland, especially with the Irkut 21 package. Michael Thompson, general manager of the Nacelle Group's Nacelle Systems Consultancy (NSC), which has been involved in design work for the project, said NSC has for 15 years been conducting design stress and certification work for airframers and engine manufacturers.

 


“And we also do fire testing,” he added. To highlight this, NSC has an aircraft seat that looks like it is on fire, which the company exhibits at shows such as Farnborough. “It gets people to stop and talk,” explained Thompson.

 


Around three years ago, Thompson said, NSC realized it had developed a useful sideline in environmental testing and certification work, and saw that it had an opportunity. “So we built a new 6,000-sq-ft facility at Newry, with a series of test labs,” he said. This is now NSC’s Resonate Testing subsidiary.

 


The aim, said Thompson, is “to support the aviation sector but also others, such as rail.” Now, it is the only U.S. FAA-accredited lab on the “island of Ireland,” meaning Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

 


“People bring parts of aircraft or prototypes to check their temperature and [conduct] fire tests,"&nbsp;he said, noting that the company tested a thrust reverser. He said NSC does thermal cycling, aimed at, for example, ensuring that composites “don’t delaminate.”

 


“Everything we do [at the testing lab] is destructive. We are looking to test things before people go into production.” He noted, “We see composites being used in places we’d never expected.”

 


Interestingly, Thomson said “an old V8 Jag engine coupled to a Chieftain Tank supercharger is used to generate airflow…and a 1959 tractor coupled to a pump to create a pressure differential. This is pretty innovative!” All testing is recorded on video and “can be streamed to customers,” he added.

 


Invest NI was “very supportive” with setting the center up, said Thompson. “People used to have to go to Florida or California for this kind of testing.”

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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.

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