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

Business aircraft charter and management firm ASL-JetNetherlands has obtained formal EASA approval to start training at its new Elite Pilot Training Center (EPTC) subsidiary in Antwerp-Deurne, Belgium. The company started EPTC last year “in response to an increasing demand for business-oriented and VIP flight training.” It began training activities in 2012 with its Elite Flying Club, offering FAA private pilot training that could later be converted to EASA licenses. But the company soon realized the value of training for EASA licenses directly.


The company's Approved Training Organisation (ATO) certificate was issued by the Belgian Civil Aviation Authorities. ASL-JetNetherlands will start by offering flight training in a Cirrus SR20 and an SR22, while also using two Redbird simulators, one based on the SR20 and the other on the Cessna Citation Mustang.


Philippe Bodson, CEO of ASL, said that initially EPTC would be used by ASL to train its own pilots, but soon this would be extended, depending on demand, to train “businessmen and -women who want to obtain a private pilot license and later add other qualifications [such as night and instrument ratings].”


He added, “This is a very innovative approach for a business jet operator. The instructors who fly for EPTC are also pilots for ASL. We want our clients to feel the connection between the two activities.”

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