Bill was Editor-in-Chief of Business & Commercial Aviation from 2000 to 2020. During his stewardship, the monthly magazine received scores of awards for editorial excellence.
He is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement in Journalism Award from the National Business Aviation Association; the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Aerospace Media Awards; the Aviation Journalism Award from the National Air Transportation Association; and an Aerospace Journalist of the Year Award for Business Aviation.
Previously, Bill served as Managing Editor of Aviation Week Television. He was the top editor for both Flying and Professional Pilot magazines, as well as a member of the senior editorial staff at Reader's Digest. He also managed communications for FlightSafety International.
Bill has authored or co-authored three aviation books, was an essayist for National Public Radio, wrote aviation documentaries for The Discovery Channel and has written for numerous publications including The New York Times, Smithsonian Air & Space, Popular Mechanics and The Associated Press, among others.
An active aviator, Bill holds a Commercial Pilot license, along with multiengine, instrument, seaplane and glider ratings.
An Army brat, Tilton graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1962, but took a commission in the U.S. Air Force because he wanted to fly. After piloting six-engine B-47s, C-141s and B-57 Canberras for seven years, he entered the University of New Mexico as an officer-student, earning a master's degree in biology and then an M.D. Completing his residency, he flew King Airs, T-38s and, finally, F-15s as a physician/pilot. Retiring as a colonel in 1988, he joined Boeing's medical department, ultimately becoming director.
"SO, WE'LL MAKE THEM think you just got back from St. Kitts or maybe Aspen," she said as she dusted my mug with a slightly powdery mix of flesh-toned something until my cheeks felt taut and sticky. "Oh, and are you going to wear glasses? Because if you are, I can just leave your eyes alone," she continued. "Otherwise," she paused, "I'll have to do some work on this area," indicating the small, fleshy pillows beneath my peepers. Hmmm. She had her work cut out for her.
CAPT. LUIS PALANCO HAD JUST returned from a two-day transatlantic trip to Nice and the experience had been a good one. It was a quick out and back with no time for sightseeing -- he'd been in Nice for less than a day -- but such was the life of a charter Challenger captain. His had been a busy schedule, crisscrossing the country six times plus a flight to Florida in the seven days prior to his transatlantic flights. Jet lag could take its toll, especially when the trip board got crowded, but he made a point of resting as much as possible and tried to adjust.
