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
ATC
Wx Offices at ATC Centers Could Close
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association is criticizing the Commerce Department’s proposal to close the National Weather Service center weather ser
Charter & Fractional
Coastal Announces Fixed-price N.Y.-L.A. Flights
New York-based Coastal Jet Service is launching per-seat, daily nonstop service on a Citation X between New York and Los Angeles.
Accidents
PC-12, CRJ200 in Near Ground Collision
According to the NTSB, a runway incursion that occurred on May 29 at Charlotte (N.C.) Douglas International Airport involving a PC-12 turboprop single and
Safety
Industry Still Confused about SMS
To clear up continuing confusion about safety management systems, FAA Flight Standards SMS office manager Don Arendt told attendees at last month’s NATA Ai
Regulations and Government
Montana Senators Appeal to DHS Secretary
Montana senators Max Baucus (D) and Jon Tester (D) have written to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano expressing the concerns of pi
Charter & Fractional
Rutan Is First Customer on JetSuite Phenom
JetSuite brokered its first Phenom 100 charter flight in late May for customer Burt Rutan, who flew to his home base in Mojave, Calif.
Request for BARR Data Ends Up in Court
Investigative journalism organization ProPublica filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request in December, asking the FAA to release the list of reque
FBOs
New Orleans FBO Starts Work on New Facility
Odyssey Aviation broke ground in May for its new FBO at New Orleans Lakefront Airport.
Aircraft
Aerion Formal Launch in Late 2010?
Aerion last month at the Paris Air Show said it is nearing a decision on an aerospace manufacturing partner to lead the development and production of its s
Aircraft
Spectrum Completes First S.40 Fuselage
Spectrum Aeronautical sister company Rocky Mountain Composites completed a test article version of the all-composite S.40 Freedom midsize jet fuselage at i
Environment
Honeywell Biofuel Tests Under Way
Honeywell last month said it completed initial testing of renewable jet fuel on its 131-9 APU and TFE731-5 turbofan engine.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Pre-owned Bizjet Inventories Hold Steady
“Available business jet inventories look finally to be stabilizing,” UBS Investment Research noted in its latest business jet update, although pre-owned in
Aircraft
First Gulfstream G250 Is Taking Shape
The first Gulfstream G250 super-midsize business jet had its Honeywell HTF7250G engines mounted on June 1 at Israel Aerospace Industries’ factory in Tel Av
ARG/US: Bizav Flying Activity Stabilizing
The gap between U.S.
Latin American Event Opens Next month
The annual Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (Labace) is scheduled to open August 13 and run for three days at Congonhas Airport
Aircraft
Cirrus Jet vision Resumes Flying
As Cirrus Aircraft’s prototype Vision jet single resumes flight testing with a new Garmin G1000 avionics suite, some buyers seeking refunds of deposits for
Platinum Jet Cofounder Pleads
Andre Budhan, cofounder of defunct charter operator Platinum Jet, pleaded guilty to defrauding charter customers and brokers, as well as impeding and obstr
Engines
Rolls-Royce BR725 Engine Gets EASA OK
Rolls-Royce on June 24 received EASA certification for its 16,000-pound-thrust BR725 engine.
Training and Workforce
FSI Trains Laid-off Pilots at no cost
FlightSafety International launched the Proficiency Protection Program, which is intended to help maintain the currency of business aircraft pilots and mai
Bombardier Upbeat in Bizjet Forecast
In its latest forecast, Bombardier expects total deliveries of 11,500 business jets worth $256 billion between this year and 2018.
Engines
Rolls-Royce BR725 Engine Approved by EASA
Rolls-Royce yesterday received EASA certification for its 16,000-pound-thrust BR725 engine.
ATC
New York Airspace Redesign Moving Forward
The New York/New Jersey/Philadelphia Metropolitan Area Airspace Redesign, which is intended to reduce delays in this heavy air traffic area, cleared a “key
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky S-76D Program Progressing on Schedule
According to Stratford, Conn.-based Sikorsky, two more S-76D prototypes will soon join the helicopter test program, which is expected to conclude next year
Avionics
Honeywell System Aims To Reduce Runway Excursions
Honeywell last week at the Paris Air Show launched SmartLanding, a product intended to reduce runway excursions by alerting pilots if the aircraft’s approa
Training and Workforce
Free Training for Laid-off Bizav Pilots, Techs at FSI
FlightSafety International today announced the Proficiency Protection Program, which is intended to help maintain the currency of business aircraft pilots
Aircraft
Aerion Formal Launch Set for Late Next Year
Aerion this week at the Paris Air Show said it is nearing a decision on an aerospace manufacturing partner to lead the development and production of its su
Pre-owned Bizjet Inventories Hold Steady, UBS Says
“Available business jet inventories look finally to be stabilizing,” UBS Investment Research noted in its recently released business jet update, though pre
ARG/US: Business Aircraft Flying Activity Stabilizing
The gap between U.S.
