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

Toulouse, France-based regional turboprop manufacturer ATR is pressing ahead with plans to increase its production rate progressively over the next three years while preparing to add a larger, 90-seat model to its product line, which now consists of the 50-seat ATR 42-600 and 74-seat ATR 72-600.


After rolling 54 aircraft off the production line last year, the company plans to manufacture 70 this year, 80 next year and 85 in 2014, while it projects its annual revenue will increase from $1.3 billion to $2 billion. It expects to propose the 90-seater model to its shareholders by year-end.


Last year saw ATR book firm orders for 157 aircraft (13 ATR 42s and 144 ATR 72s, plus a total of 79 options) from 13 clients worldwide, well ahead of its previous record year in 2007, when it collected orders for 80. Its backlog now stands at 236 aircraft, worth some $5 billion and representing approximately three years of production. The numbers take into consideration the removal from its books of 38 aircraft <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/?q=aviation-news/ain-air-transport-perspective/2011-12-05/kingfisher-airlines-takes-steps-reduce-losses#en">India’s Kingfisher</a> would have taken before it missed delivery pre-payments, triggering effective order cancellation.


In December it confirmed that it would <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/?q=aviation-news/dubai-air-show/2011-11-14/atr-cease-atr-72-500-production-2012#en">discontinue production of the older -500 models</a> toward the end of this year and produce only the new -600 models, which feature new Thales glass cockpit, enhanced Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada powerplants and a new Armonia cabin with more baggage space.


Speaking at a January 18 press conference in Paris, ATR CEO Filippo Bagnato said that ATR 72-600s had completed more than 3,000 flights since entering service with <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/?q=aviation-news/dubai-air-show/2011-11-14/atr-cease-atr-72-500-production-2012#en">Royal Air Maroc</a> last August, achieving 99.7-percent dispatch-rate reliability.


He noted that in the market for 50- to 90-seat aircraft, turboprops now account for some 85 percent of orders, of which ATR had achieved a 70-percent market share. “Turboprops, and particularly ATRs, appear more and more to be the right solution for regional aviation,” he said, while adding that introduction of its planned 90-seater would not spell an end to its smaller models, as they would account for two-thirds of a market ATR estimates at some 3,000 aircraft over the next 20 years.


Bagnato also noted that ATR’s order total includes deals from four unidentified customers, covering 41 aircraft. Three hail from the Asia-Pacific region, a company spokesman told AIN, while adding that ATR hopes to reveal details of two or three of the orders at this month’s Singapore Air Show. There is one large and significant order, said ATR, plus two smaller contracts in the region.


ATR plans to hold a ceremony in Toulouse on May 3 to mark the delivery of its 1,000th aircraft, while another milestone this year will come with the anticipated certification of the ATR 42-600, which Bagnato said should prove the ideal aircraft to replace the large number of aging smaller turboprops in the U.S. “I am reasonably confident that the ATR 42 can be a good answer, as there is a tendency toward larger aircraft,” said Bagnato, adding that some 1,400 small turboprops need replacement in the U.S. over the next few years. ATR expects to deliver the first ATR 42-600 in August.


Bagnato also revealed new list prices for its current models: $19.5 million for the ATR 42-600 and $23.4 million for the ATR 72-600.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

ATR Rides Wave of Turboprop Popularity as it Ponders Larger Model

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Chad Trautvetter

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.

Four-week strike will affect aircraft deliveries in the fourth quarter

Textron Aviation Ships 41 Bizjets in 3Q Despite Strike

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

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.

Flight testing on the first of three Bombardier jets is being conducted in Wichita

Global Starts Flight Tests for German Army Surveillance Role

Sarah Rose

Upgrade aims to enhance performance and reliability

Blackhawk's Upgrade To Increase Power of King Air 360

Jessica Reed

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.

The 850 Series SKYscapes Effect Finishes offer a high-performance polyurethane base coat 

Sherwin-Williams Paints the Sky with Coating Upgrades

Curt Epstein

Experts say the market is reaching equlibrium after Covid boost

Aircraft Brokers Enjoying Healthy, Stable Market

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 Aircraft

Textron Aviation Ships 41 Bizjets in 3Q Despite Strike

Four-week strike will affect aircraft deliveries in the fourth quarter

Global Starts Flight Tests for German Army Surveillance Role

Flight testing on the first of three Bombardier jets is being conducted in Wichita

Blackhawk's Upgrade To Increase Power of King Air 360

Upgrade aims to enhance performance and reliability

Sherwin-Williams Paints the Sky with Coating Upgrades

The 850 Series SKYscapes Effect Finishes offer a high-performance polyurethane base coat

Aircraft Brokers Enjoying Healthy, Stable Market

Experts say the market is reaching equlibrium after Covid boost

Industry Leaders Share Insights on Scaling AAM Operations

Executives from Lilium, Beta Technologies, Electra, Atlantic Aviation, and Signature Aviation participated in the discussion

Electra Aero's Nine-passenger eSTOL Set for Reveal

Hybrid-electric design works within existing infrastructure

Camp Systems Launches Pricing and Quoting Solutions

SalesEdge Quoting is a web-based module for Quantum and Corridor

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN