What started 50 years ago as something that seemed like little more than an experiment in publishing news at domestic aviation conventions has become one of the longest-established aviation media groups in the world, and arguably the only one still under the same independent ownership. AIN’s rich history includes countless tales of accomplishment, a maverick spirit, and a willingness to take risks.
Since 1972, the company has managed to overcome virtually every challenge it has faced and to this day maintains an ethos of integrity not many others in the aviation publishing industry can claim. A privately-held business since its inception, the company has had one constant: owner and co-founder Wilson Leach, who doesn’t particularly like accolades, but even he can’t deny his influence on the company’s longevity and freedom from the inevitable constraints of large corporate publishing businesses.
