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

Helibrás (Chalet 5104) has received the Brazilian “Blue Line” Internal Revenue Service qualification, making the company the only helicopter manufacturer authorized to use the system–which helps it to streamline customer support. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Airbus Helicopters.
Blue Line is a special procedure of customs facilitation, created by Brazil’s IRS to offer express customs clearance for import, export and transit operations with prior qualification. Without it, processing an item through customs would take on average of five days. With this system, the wait drops to 24 hours.
“The main benefit, undoubtedly, is greater flexibility in importing parts and spare parts to serve customers,” said Flávio Pires, v-p of support and services for Helibrás, which manufactures helicopters for Airbus Helicopters.
“With… Blue Line, Helibras will be able to meet 95 percent of requests before the deadline stipulated for the service. And we are working to create a bonded warehouse to various market segments, particularly customers of oil and gas,” said Flavio.
Currently, only 49 domestic companies in all segments of the economy have been enabled by the IRS to operate the Blue Line system.

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