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

As Pilatus prepares to roll out the first prototype of its new PC-24 twinjet tomorrow at its factory in Stans, Switzerland–while also celebrating the company’s 75th anniversary on Swiss National Day and the 20th anniversary of the PC-12’s entry-into-service–it confirmed to AIN during a factory tour that it has stopped taking PC-24 orders for now, having announced 84 at EBACE in May.


“This accounts for our complete production capacity in 2017, 2018 and 2019. We elected to hold off taking any orders for 2020 and beyond,” a company spokesman said. “First flight of the aircraft you will see roll out of the factory tomorrow will be in early 2015. Certification and first deliveries will be in 2017.” Pilatus sales and marketing executive Fred Muggli suggested during the factory tour that first flight could be as early as January.


The company will use its 103,300-sq-ft single-span production building, completed in 2008, for PC-24 final assembly. For now the company is producing three PC-24 prototypes–the first, which will be rolled out tomorrow in front of more than 20,000 guests, is already painted and will be based in Stans. The second, once built, will be sent to Honeywell in Phoenix for avionics development, while the third will be a functional test aircraft based in Stans.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Pilatus Prepares for Big PC-24 Rollout Party

Pilatus revealed at EBACE 2014 that it had already sold 84 of its new PC-24 jet.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Jessica Reed

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.

Jo Damato and Andrew Broom assume additional responsibilities

NBAA Expands Roles for Two Senior Executives

Matt Thurber

Similarities between the piston- and jet-powered Cirruses make transition training easier

Transport Canada Certifies Cirrus SR G7 and Vision G2+

Kerry Lynch

Aircraft will be able to take off in 150 feet of runway

Electra Launches Hybrid-electric EL9 STOL Aircraft

Hanneke Weitering

First production-representative Alia CX300 takes flight

Beta Flies First Electric Airplane Produced in Vermont Factory

G700 next headed to the Bahrain International Airshow for display alongside the G500

Gulfstream’s G700 Surpasses 65 City-pair Records

Honda's secretive eVTOL program picks up steam

FAA Greenlights Honda eVTOL Flight Tests

Curt Epstein

Some models are seeing high demand, others not so much

Broker: Preowned Cessna Citation Market Remains Mixed

Charles Alcock

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

More In Aircraft