Chad Trautvetter
Online Editor
Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group. He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion, the student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot magazine, he joined AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.
Latest from Chad Trautvetter
NBAA Award Winners Named
NBAA’s board of directors last month announced the 2009 recipients of the association’s annual Meritorious Service to Aviation and John P.
Charter & Fractional
Sunset Aviation Rebrands and Relaunches
Charter/management company Sunset Aviation LLC officially changed its name to Solairus Aviation early last month.
Embraer Breaks Ground on Portugal Factory
Embraer started construction of a factory in Portugal and is due to open it before the end of 2011.
Bizjet Orders Could Be Net Negative This Year
This year will be one of the most challenging on record for new business jet orders, according to business aviation industry consulting firm Brian Foley As
To Trim Costs Pilatus Shortens Workweek
Pilatus Aircraft is shortening working hours for 350 of its employees from September 1 in response to order cancellations for its PC-12 NG single-engine tu
SEC Charges BCM with Fraud
Robert Pinkas, Tab Keplinger and Brantley Capital Management (BCM) have been charged “with securities fraud for overvaluing assets in an investment portfol
Regulations and Government
Natca, FAA Reach Labor Agreement
The long-simmering feud between the FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (Natca) over wages and working conditions was apparently resol
Lawsuit Targets Textron Backlog
The City of Roseville Employees’ Retirement System has filed a class-action complaint alleging that investors in Textron shares were misled by statements a
Regulations and Government
FAA Proposes Rules for VLJ Certification
To streamline its approvals for very light jets (VLJs), the FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on August 17 to amend the applicable certific
Blue Sky Expands Epic Air Lawsuit
Blue Sky Avgroup, which filed a lawsuit
Execujet, Bombardier end sales deal
Bombardier has confirmed that ExecuJet Aviation no longer holds exclusive sales representation for its new business aircraft.
Eclipse Rises Again in Albuquerque
After no other bids emerged for the assets of Albuquerque, N.M.-based Eclipse Aviation, a federal bankruptcy judge on August 20
Charter & Fractional
Santulli resigns from NetJets; changes ahead at fractional
In a major management shake-up at fractional provider NetJets, company founder, chairman and CEO Richard Santulli on August 4 unexpectedly resigned, effect
Engines
GE To Certify Derivative of Walter M601 Turboprop
GE Aviation will soon start certification testing of its new 800-shp H80 turboprop engine, which is derived from the Walter M601.
More Layoffs Coming at Hawker Beechcraft
Just hours after taking part in a GAMA-organized “General Aviation Jobs For Arkansas Forum” yesterday in Little Rock, Hawker Beechcraft sent a memo to empl
Bizav Flight Activity Showing ‘Signs of Recovery’
Business aircraft activity showed “tentative signs of recovery” last month, according to data from aviation services company Aviation Research Group/U.S.
Charter & Fractional
Sokol Wastes No Time in Restructuring NetJets
NetJets’ new chairman and acting CEO, David Sokol, has barely been at the helm of the fractional provider a week, but he isn’t wasting any time in restruct
Accidents
Learjet 60 Crew Heard Clicks Just Before Crash
The NTSB on Friday released a cockpit voice recorder transcript, group factual reports and other documents from the agency’s investigation of the Sept.
Charter & Fractional
Losses Mount for NetJets in Second Quarter
Fractional aircraft provider NetJets’ second-quarter revenues fell 43 percent year-over-year to $550 million, and for the first half dropped $1.024 billion
Charter & Fractional
Birds Blamed in Citation I Crash
The NTSB said the probable cause of a crash in Oklahoma City of a Cessna Citation I was airplane wing-structure damage sustained during impact with one or
J.P. Morgan: Bizjet Market Stabilized, but Stagnant
Data from a J.P.
Charter & Fractional
Avjet Plays Key Role in Clinton’s Mission to N. Korea
Aircraft management and charter firm Avjet held a crucial role in the air transportation for former President Bill Clinton on his visit to North Korea on T
Charter & Fractional
Frax Industry Founder Steps Down from NetJets
In a seismic event for the business aviation industry, NetJets founder, chairman and CEO Richard Santulli yesterday resigned his position at the company, e
Foley: Bizjet Orders Could Be Net Negative for 2009
This year will be one of the most challenging on record for new business jet orders, according to business aviation industry consulting firm Brian Foley As
GAMA Airplane Shipments Off 46 Percent in 1H
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association’s second-quarter shipment and billings report, released this afternoon, shows that general aviation airplane
General Dynamics Boss Bullish on Bizjet Market
Jay Johnson, the new president and CEO of Gulfstream parent company General Dynamics, said yesterday during an investor conference that he is “encouraged r
Rotorcraft
Cessna, Bell Parent Textron Reports 2Q Loss
Textron, parent company of Cessna Aircraft and Bell Helicopter, today reported a net loss of $58 million in the second quarter, compared with a $258 millio
Aircraft
Honeywell Cools Legacy Line for Embraer
Honeywell has been selected by Embraer to provide the air conditioning and temperature control system for the new Legacy 450 and Legacy 500.
Aircraft
First Project Phoenix CRJ To Enter Service
The first Project Phoenix CRJ is about to enter service, having made its first flight on June 12 from the Flying Colours facility in Canada, where the form
Charter & Fractional
Smart Aviation Readying for Citations
Egyptian charter operator Smart Aviation is preparing to take delivery of the first two Cessna Citation Sovereigns to be certified for medical evacuation w
