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

To great fanfare, Pilatus rolled out its new PC-24 “Super Versatile” jet on Friday at its home airfield of Buochs, near the town of Stans in central Switzerland. The prototype of the twin-engine business/utility jet was pulled across the runway by 24 horses before coming to rest on a giant Swiss flag painted on the apron, in front of a grandstand with 1,000 VIPs and another 24,000 people.


The Williams FJ44-4A-powered aircraft is sold out for its first three years of production. <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ebace-convention-news/2014-05-20/pilatus-welcomes-flood-pc-24-orders-first-day-ebace">All orders were announced (84 aircraft) at EBACE</a> in May. During a factory tour, and again at the rollout, Pilatus made it clear that the order book for the $8.9 million twinjet is closed, at least until after first flight, which is expected early next year.


A second prototype will be ready in the February time frame, with the third expected to come online about this time next year. Certification is scheduled for 2017.


The jet is symbolized by a crystal logo, representing “crystal class” and the fact that every single crystal found in the Swiss mountains is unique. “It’s a plane that simply doesn’t fit into any of the existing business jet categories,” Pilatus said. “Its outstanding short-field performance–even on unpaved runways–opens up an incredible level of mobility.”

Pilatus Rolls Out the PC-24, Its First Jet Airplane

The prototype of the twin-engine business/utility jet was pulled across the runway by 24 horses.

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