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

Farnborough, UK-based Gama Aviation comes to EBACE with three fresh contract signings: a premium service provider agreement with Pratt &amp; Whitney to support its popular PT6A engines across Europe; an agreement with Textron Aviation unit Cessna for a new service center at Gama’s Glasgow facility; and the renewal of Gama’s Beechcraft authorized service facility status at Farnborough.


Gama said that the PT6 agreement comes “at a time of apparent growth in the engine’s use with 7,089 Pilatus PC-12 and 15,001 King Air 200/350 movements in the last quarter across Europe. In addition to the current departure volumes, changes in UK air operations regulations are predicted to see a further increase, as single-engine commercial operations begin.”


Paul Bristow, head of engineering for Europe, commented: “With single-engine operations a regulatory reality, we are ideally placed to assist operators of PC-12s, Cessna Caravans and the Daher TBM930s with engine-related AOGs across Europe. This will be particularly important to new operators who are establishing their reputations and business models in a new and dynamic sector.”


Gama also reports that the company’s Glasgow facility is to become a factory-recognized facility for the Cessna Caravan. “We are positioning Glasgow as a center of excellence for the Cessna Caravan, extending this in due course to other Cessna single-engine models,” said Bristow. “With Fairoaks and Farnborough in the south and Glasgow in the north, we are providing a breadth of capability and depth of experience to this sector that few others can provide at scale.”


Last but not least, Gama’s Farnborough facility has had its authorized service facility status renewed by Beechcraft, having recently completed the acceptance (through its delivery center in Wichita), delivery and extensive modifications to a King Air 350ER, including the installation of the Raisbeck Performance System.


“Our Beechcraft clients have for years benefitted from a highly skilled team,” said Bristow. “Our service center status only reconfirms this. When combined with our new Pratt &amp; Whitney agreement, our Rockwell Collins, Garmin and Raisbeck expertise, we provide a class-leading solution, whatever our clients’ needs.”


U.S. Boost


Gama Aviation (Booth V36) also says that its U.S. operations are going from strength-to-strength, flying 54,533 hours last year, the highest of any Part 135 charter operator in the U.S., according to Argus TRAQPak. This was over 5,000 hours more than the number-two ranked operator and represents an increase of 55 percent over 2015, which accompanied a fleet size that also increased more than any other operator. Earlier this year Gama Aviation Signature was created through the merger of Gama’s U.S. division with Landmark Aviation.


Thomas Connelly, president and CEO of Gama Aviation, said: “Last year we were the top U.S. Part 135 operator by number of hours. In 2017, we are likely to be the top U.S. operator by fleet size and hours flown. We believe [this growth rate] is down to ensuring our clients receive not only the economies of scale that our size can provide, but also the bespoke concierge service that they expect and deserve.”


Marwan Khalek, group chief executive of Gama Aviation, said, “The Argus figures evidence the success of our U.S. associate business to capture and convert the organic growth opportunities available in the world’s largest business aviation market.


“The Landmark Aviation merger adds further scale to this already strong position, delivering more choice, greater proximity to our fleet and ultimately higher levels of service to our Part 135 clients."


Gama in China


Meanwhile, Gama Aviation Hutchison (Hong Kong), the joint venture formed in early 2016 between the UK’s Gama Aviation and Hutchison Whampoa, announced at the ABACE show last month that it has firmed up its new maintenance offering in collaboration with Hong Kong International Airport-based CASL. The new maintenance check packages will be available starting this summer.


The packages have been designed “to provide a cost-effective, transparent pricing model for fleet and private owners.” Sergio Oliveira e Silva, general manager of the joint venture, said the company “identified that business aircraft owners and operators often face opaque pricing and final bills that can climb alarmingly from the initial quote. Through our collaboration with CASL, we are introducing a simplified pricing structure for standard maintenance inspections on Gulfstream and Bombardier aircraft.”


The offering gives aircraft owners local maintenance at a cost low enough that they no longer have to fly three to four hours to Singapore, or farther afield, for an annual check. This is “inconvenient for the operator, adds hours to the aircraft and, in our view, is completely unnecessary,” said Oliveira e Silva.

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