ISTAT Remembers Gilbert Speed

It is with great sadness that we report that Gilbert Speed, 81, founder of SpeedNews, passed away on 27 Jan. 2014. Speed began his career in aviation as a student apprentice in 1952 at the Bristol Aeroplane Company, now part of BAE Systems. In 1957, he moved to Eastern Airlines where he was a development engineer. Then, after an engineering stint at Pan Am, he became the founder of Transequip, now part of Telair International. In 1979, he founded SpeedNews, which became a premier newsletter of the aviation industry. He launched the first annual SpeedNews Aviation Industry Suppliers Conference in 1987. Speed was a long-time supporting member of ISTAT from the start, and was the recipient of the 2010 ISTAT Award. During his more than 60-year tenure in the aviation industry, he become a well-respected industry partner and touched many lives. 

A memorial service for Gilbert W. Speed will be held at the Westwood United Methodist Church, 10497 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90024 (not to be confused with the Wilshire Methodist Church), on Thursday, 13 March 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Immediately following the service, the Speed family would like to invite you for refreshments.

The ISTAT Foundation has created the Gilbert W. Speed Memorial Scholarship fund in an effort to recognize the many industry contributions and friendships Speed has made during his career. The fund will provide an annual scholarship, or multiple scholarships of $5,000 - $10,000 each, to students interested in aviation careers. By request of the family, memorials can be sent to the Gilbert W. Speed Memorial Scholarship fund in care of the ISTAT Foundation at 330 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60611 or ISTAT members can contribute online at www.ISTAT.org .  All contributions to this fund shall be marked for the "Gilbert W. Speed Memorial Scholarship."

Click here read an interview with Speed that was published in the March/April 2010 issue of Jetrader, which recognized him as the ISTAT Award Winner of that year.