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

Since Malta-based company Academy 147 started in 2014 as a post-MBA idea of managing director Andy Trinchero, it has grown into a company with 25 employees around the world delivering more than 40 maintenance type-rating courses to the business aviation sector every year. This year, Academy 147&nbsp;has delivered 42 courses so far.

 


Visiting MEBAA 2018, Trinchero told AIN that the company had just before the show delivered a course in Dubai, training engineers on the Gulfstream G150 at a&nbsp;global company that has a base in the UAE. “We have a few customers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi,” he noted, “And we did around ten courses in Dubai alone last year, including a Bombardier Global course.”

 


“It’s been a record year for us” as Academy 147 responds to a global MRO skills shortage, said Trinchero.&nbsp;“The Middle East is one of our core markets and we are seeing an increasing appetite for maintenance training throughout the region.&nbsp;We are able to provide training to fulfill a wide range of regulatory and personnel training requirements, from EASA, GCAA, FAA, and other bodies.”

 


Trinchero himself worked for a maintenance provider before founding Academy 147, and he said the experience of working in the industry showed him there was a real need.&nbsp;Now, he said, “We have training [instructors] throughout the region who can travel to client sites to provide on-location maintenance training across multiple aircraft platforms.”

 


The company has also added a location in Las Vegas, which joins Los Angeles, Orlando, Dubai, Hong Kong,&nbsp;and Malta. So now, said Trinchero, “We are able to provide a rapid response to training requirements around the globe.”

 


Trinchero said the past four years had been “extremely hard work” building the company from scratch, but growth continues and he is looking for more customers and clients with mechanics who need type-rating courses. “So we’ve gone pretty quickly, and the Middle East will remain a core market for us,” he concluded.

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Academy 147 Successfully Exploits Mx Training Niche

After Andy Trinchero saw a gap in the market for maintenance training focused on business jets, he has now filled that niche. 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

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.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Panel participants included Boeing, Gulfstream Aerospace, and West Star Aviation

Summit Highlights St. Louis Aero MRO and Manufacturing

Kerry Lynch

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

What began 22 years ago as a Caravan project is now a busy multimillion-dollar business

Building Interiors at Yingling Aviation

MRO services for E1000 turboprops available at company’s Denver location

Stevens Aerospace Joins Epic Aircraft Service Network

Executives share their experience with system

Duncan Adds Gogo 5G to Company Citation Excel

Charles Alcock

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

More In Maintenance and Modifications

Summit Highlights St. Louis Aero MRO and Manufacturing

Panel participants included Boeing, Gulfstream Aerospace, and West Star Aviation

Building Interiors at Yingling Aviation

What began 22 years ago as a Caravan project is now a busy multimillion-dollar business

Stevens Aerospace Joins Epic Aircraft Service Network

MRO services for E1000 turboprops available at company’s Denver location

Duncan Adds Gogo 5G to Company Citation Excel

Executives share their experience with system

Australian Regulator Approves Textron Service Centers

Textron operates service centers in Melbourne, Perth, and Gold Coast

C&L Aerospace Tapped for Challenger Flutter Damper Mx

The company was selected by OEM Héroux-Devtek

Avcon Delivers Aerial Weapon in Florida Mosquito Fight

The Kansas-based company specializes in modifying airframes

Duncan Aviation Authorized for Honeywell APU Repairs

MRO’s Lincoln facility expects to bring work online in early 2027

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