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.
Bell Helicopter is finalizing the design of its new Bell 525, a medium-lift helicopter that is due for first flight in 2014. The U.S. helicopter maker has completed much of the detailed design, says Bell Helicopter's chief engineer on the 525 program, David King. The helicopter's flight control computer and avionics system have already been released and are now undergoing integrated systems testing, he adds. Bell Helicopter is synonymous with smaller helicopters and until now has lacked an aircraft large enough to compete in market segments requiring larger helicopters.
Long known for its high-performance single-engine civil and military turboprops, Pilatus Aircraft is entering an entirely new segment with the PC-24, its largest civil aircraft yet and powered by twin Williams FJ44-4A turbofans. Unveiled at the European Business Aircraft Convention and Exposition in Geneva in May, the pressurized aircraft has a cabin larger than the PC-12, but like that single will be able to operate from unimproved strips. With a 3435 lbst takeoff rating, the FJ44 engines are expected to deliver a cruise speed in excess of 400 kt.
Keystone Aviation was named a dealer for Quest Aircraft's Kodiak single-turboprop aircraft for Colorado, Utah, Nevada and Northern California. The addition marks the fourth manufacturer that Keystone represents. Others include Piper, EADS Socata and HondaJet. Quest, meanwhile, continues to expand its reach as it remains on pace to deliver its 100th aircraft by early fall. Originally designed for mission and humanitarian work, the Kodiak has been delivered for a range of uses, including personal use, FAR Part 135 and government operations.
