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

Now participating in its sixth consecutive LABACE, Helicidade (Outside Exhibit 5102) has previously shown off what it offers in its heliport, just across the Pinheiros River from São Paulo’s newest, shiniest skyscrapers. The facility consists of a landing pad, space for 11 helicopters to park outside, 4,500 sq m (48,439 sq ft) of hangarage with capacity for nearly 80 aircraft, a maintenance hangar, a weather station and a soundproofed FBO. The fully-insured heliport has spotless safety record in 13 years of existence and more than 270,00 operations.

 


This year’s expanded show presence, with a chalet in the static area and four helicopters for sale, is not a sign of a business boom, though. Helicidade director Edson Pedroso painted a picture of hard times. He told AIN he’s seen a 30 percent drop in operations in 2015, and his competitors have experienced similar reductions. An economic recovery, he feels, will only come “in the medium term, in two, two-and-a-half years at the earliest.”

 


One big problem is that aviation fuel has gotten more expensive in Brazil, even though crude oil prices have dropped internationally. This has protected the balance sheet of oil giant Petrobras, but has raised the cost of flying. At the same time, the semi-public company, which is engulfed in a scandal over alleged bribery of Brazilian politicians, has delayed payments to suppliers to protect its cash flow.

 


While Helicidade is not a direct Petrobras supplier, some of its customers were. “They don’t get paid, and they close down and put their aircraft up for sale. The four aircraft we’re exhibiting are all for sale,” said Pedroso.

 


He predicts that 2015 will end with a smaller helicopter fleet in Brazil, or at least in São Paulo, as owners take advantage of a strong dollar to sell aircraft overseas, converting a dollar-valued asset into local currency. His long-range view, beyond the current economic storms, is simply: “We’ll be here tomorrow!”

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