Amy Wilder is a private pilot with more than two decades of experience as a writer and editor in a career spanning journalism, marketing, and communications. 
She has worked in aviation journalism since 2023, combining a lifelong passion for flight and a love of the aviation community with a penchant for storytelling. As a licensed pilot, she brings firsthand insight to the stories she covers, lending an authentic, on-the-ground perspective to industry coverage.
She holds a Master of Arts in Eastern Classics and a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts, both from St. John&#039;s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, along with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Culture.

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Amy Wilder

Northwest Missouri Aero Group recently acquired a controlling interest in ATD Flight Systems, a Kansas City air charter and flight-training company. Managing partner Lute Atieh leads the buyer group; founder Bill Hays has retired after nearly three decades running ATD, and his daughter, Keara Neifach, who has led the company for the past five years, remains part of the ownership group. Financial terms were not disclosed.
ATD operates ATD Air Charter; Part 141 flight school ATD Pilot Training; and ATD Aircraft Management. The combined organization, including the FlyTech flight school in St. Joseph, Missouri, operates 25 aircraft and employs roughly 75 people across five sites in Missouri and Iowa.
ATD’s charter fleet centers on Cessna Citation XLS+ and CJ-series jets, flown by full-time, two-pilot crews under the company’s own Part 135 certificate. ATD said the Pilatus PC-12 will be the next addition to its platform, with future plans to evaluate a large-cabin jet for international missions. ATD handles pilot training and maintenance in-house.
“Our operational model is intentional,” Atieh said. “Our charter pilots are full-time ATD employees, every charter flight is operated by two pilots, and our training and maintenance teams work alongside the people managing the aircraft and serving the customer.”

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Northwest Missouri Aero Group Buys Kansas City Charter, Training Operator

Founder’s daughter remains part of ownership group

Northwest Missouri Aero Group has acquired a controlling interest in ATD Flight Systems, a Kansas City charter and flight-training organization.

NW Missouri Aero Group Acquires ATD Flight Systems

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

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.

Complaint centered on raising issues in briefs to preserve them

Court Denies Review Petition for Nicholas Air Pilot Case

Previous limits made it difficult to book flights across the Tasman Sea, which lies between Australia and New Zealand

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Charlotte Bailey

Social media helping drive demand for new experiences as Middle East market still weak

Luxaviation Meets Charter Demand for New Destinations

Charles Alcock

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.

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.

Northern Ireland-based 247 Aviation is set to take over air ambulance work

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New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

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Europe-based group is adding a pair of Bombardier Global 8000 jets, plus a 6500

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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.

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