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.
THE INITIAL REPORTS were hearsay. Supposedly some customs officials in France had impounded an American business jet for violating the arcane regulations of cabotage. An unbelievable story had it not been for all the work Contributing Editor David Esler had already accomplished on that very subject. Civilian aviation throughout Europe is undergoing fundamental and pervasive change in its organizational structure. Understanding how the evolving regulations impact operators is of keen importance.
IN THE COURSE OF MY working life -- and that goes back to shagging balls as a kid -- I've had bosses of every stripe, ranging from full-speed entrepreneurs, to go-slow rake leaners, to corporate chess masters; they've included bullies, beauties, brainstormers and beanballers, clock-watchers, clock cleaners, powers and cowards. There were lessons to be learned from them all. Recent events have caused two to stand out from that long parade of characters. One, a woman, was smart, able and courageous. And still is.
While the present presents challenges for those in business aviation, there are many eager to get into the market with aircraft they believe will help advance and expand the segment. Here are their stories. What a difference a year makes. In the past 12 months several new business aircraft have taken wing, other new designs have emerged, and still others have been purged altogether, victims of a bad economy, bad luck or a bad idea. Among the new, true flying machines is Adam Aircraft's push/pull piston twin, the A500, whose type certification is imminent.
