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
Charter & Fractional
NTSB Judge Reinstates Air Trek’s Certificate
NTSB Administrative Law Judge William Pope II on Friday reversed an FAA emergency order of revocation issued in June that grounded Punta Gorda, Fla.-based
Regulations and Government
First-delivered Hawker 4000 Seized by U.S. Government
The first customer Hawker 4000, which was delivered to cigarette wholesaler Gary Hall in June, was seized along with other assets on Friday by the U.S.
Regulations and Government
Sabatini, Leverenz To Retire from FAA Posts
After nearly 30 years with the FAA, associate administrator for aviation safety Nick Sabatini will retire effective January 3, the agency announced today.
Safety
FAA Doesn’t Want Historical Accidents To Be Repeated
Those who don’t learn from the mistakes of the past are destined to repeat them.
Are Recent Bizav Forecasts Already Outdated?
Brian Foley Associates president Brian Foley today sent a critical message to the various companies and consultants that recently released business aviatio
Aircraft
Cessna Still Shines Brightly at Textron
While Textron this morning said its finance unit dragged down income in the third quarter, dropping year-over-year from $225 million to $210 million, reven
Charter & Fractional
TAA/VLJ Air Taxis Optimistic Despite Failure of DayJet
Air-taxi operators employing technically advanced aircraft (TAA) and very light jets (VLJs) are upbeat about their futures, even in the face of DayJet’s de
Safety
Business Aviation Accidents Up This Year
According to aviation safety consulting firm Robert E.
Security
NBAA Members React Negatively to TSA NPRM
If the TSA was expecting the business aviation community to embrace its Large Aircraft Securit
Aircraft
Comp Air Gets Funding for Large Turboprop Single
Merritt Island, Fla.-based Comp Air this week announced that it received $150 million in funding from MercMed, a California-based investment company headed
Aircraft
AAI Forges Ahead on A700
AAI Acquisition, which bought the assets of bankrupt Adam Aircraft in April, now has about 200 employees and says that design, manufacture and test activit
‘Solid Turnout’ at NBAA 2008 Despite Woes
The NBAA Convention in Orlando, Fla., which concluded yesterday, attracted 30,811 attendees, just shy of the 30,963 people at the event last year in Atlant
Security
TSA Plan Would Sharply Complicate Operations for All GA Aircraft Weighing 12,500 Pounds or More
The TSA today released a notice of proposed rulemaking for its Large Aircraft Security Program
AAI Acquisition picks up where Adam left off
AAI Acquisition (Booth No.
Safety
Bizav safety slips in first nine months of ’08
According to data released by aviation safety consulting firm Robert E.
Aircraft
Diamond D-Jet Flies with Upgraded Williams Engine
On Sunday, Diamond Aircraft flew its D-Jet for the first time with the new Williams International FJ33-5A engine (formerly designated FJ33-19), the product
Aircraft
Hawker 450 Gives New Life To Old Design
Hawker Beechcraft today launched the Hawker 450XP, a derivative of the Hawker 400XP (née Beechjet 400A) with new cockpit avionics and engines.
Aircraft
Gulfstream Launches ‘Best in Class’ G250
Gulfstream Aerospace this morning unveiled the G250 to succeed the G200 (née Galaxy), which was the first super-midsize business jet to enter service–back
Maintenance and Modifications
Meggitt’s electronic brakes under test with Bombardier
Bombardier Aerospace installed Meggitt’s electrically actuated carbon brake system–dubbed EBrake–and electric braking controls on its technology demonstrat
Training and Workforce
Embry-Riddle Aviation Ph.D. Program Set for Takeoff
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will be highlighting its new aviation Ph.D.
Aircraft
Spectrum Skipping NBAA 2008 To Pursue Freedom
Carlsbad, Calif.-based Spectrum Aeronautical won’t be exhibiting at the NBAA Convention next week in Orlando, Fla., but that doesn’t mean the would-be airc
ATC
NextGen ATC test program takes shape at Embry-Riddle
In Daytona Beach, just 60 miles northeast of the Orange County Convention Center here in Orlando, the NextGen testbed facility at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
Maintenance and Modifications
Nextant Moves 400NXT Schedule to the Left
Nextant Aerospace said it is accelerating deliveries of the 400NXT–serialized remanufactured Beechjets and Hawker 400XPs with Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21
ATC
UBS Reports Slowing Bizav Flight Activity
According to UBS Investment Research’s business jet update issued on Friday, U.S.
Bizjet Market Healthy, but ‘Shallow’ Decline Expected
In its just-released 10-year market outlook for business jets, Forecast International expects annual production to reach nearly 1,400 aircraft this year an
Training and Workforce
Embry-Riddle’s Ph.D. Program To Take Off in May
Next May, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will begin classes for its new aviation Ph.D.
Charter & Fractional
DayJet runs out of time and money
Boca Raton, Fla.-based DayJet–the per-seat, on-demand charter operator of Eclipse 500 very light jets–ceased operations and let go of most of its employees
Market slowdown coming, says forecaster
Sparta, N.J.-based Brian Foley Associates, a consultant for investors entering into business aviation ventures, asserts that the outlooks of OEMs and other
