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
Accidents
First Major-damage VLJ Returns to Service
The first very light jet to suffer major damage, Cessna Citation Mustang S/N 049, returned to service on February 29 after enduring the collapse of its lef
Regulations and Government
Senate Urged To Pass FAA Reauthorization Bill Now
A coalition of 36 aviation organizations–including NBAA, GAMA and NATA, though not AOPA or ATA–sent a letter to the full U.S.
Accidents
Birdstrike/Ingestion Eyed in Citation Crash
A 1975 Cessna Citation I (N113SH) that crashed Tuesday afternoon while taking off from Oklahoma City Wiley Post Airport is reported to have encountere
Charter & Fractional
Virgin Charter Launches Online Charter Marketplace
Virgin Charter today officially opened its online marketplace, which it bills as “the first-ever end-to-end solution for private air travel.” According to
Avionics
‘Low-cost’ Airborne Satellite TV System STC’d
Flight Display Systems and The Maintenance Group last week won an FAA STC for Ellipse TV, their new low-cost ($99,650 uninstalled) airborne satellite TV sy
Charter & Fractional
FlightSafety, NetJets Continue To Fly High
In his annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders released Friday, investment mogul Warren Buffett said the company’s flight-services division–which
Aircraft
There’s Still a Glimmer of Hope for ATG Javelin
Since suspending the development of the Javelin very light jet program in late December, the board of directors at Aviation Technology Group has continued
Charter & Fractional
Cultural attitudes yield distinct air-taxi models
As more very light jets are delivered, a clearer picture emerges of how VLJ air-taxi firms throughout the world will operate these new small jets.
Charter & Fractional
Flight Options pilots keep contract pressure on
This month marks the two-year anniversary of a pilot union on the property at Cleveland-based fractional provider Flight Options, but there won’t be any ce
Accidents
CitationJet crashed in wintry conditions
The Cessna 525 CitationJet (N102PT) that crashed in a wooded area in West Gardiner, Maine, on February 1 was owned and flown by Silicon Valley entrepreneur
Industry Perspective: Bell Helicopter
At Heli-Expo last year, Richard Millman had been president and CEO of Textron subsidiary Bell Helicopter for barely a month.
Cloak comes off Sikorsky’s sleek X2 test aircraft
Sikorsky Aircraft yesterday unveiled its X2 technology demonstrator here at Heli-Expo, with hordes of attendees surrounding the black-shrouded helicopter b
Eurocopter recommends EC 135 gearbox oil switch
During a technical briefing held yesterday at Heli-Expo, Eurocopter encouraged EC 135 operators to keep a close eye on their helicopters’ main transmission
Bell explains reasons behind decision to drop four models
At a press conference yesterday here at Heli-Expo, Bell Helicopter executive vice president of customer solutions Mike Blake further explained the Fort Wor
N.Y. to L.A. in 15 hours aboard A109S Grand
Northern Virginia businessman and helicopter owner-pilot Scott Kasprowicz, along with copilot Steve Sheik, broke the international New York-to-Los Angeles
Piasecki passes on, but his pioneering work lives
Helicopter pioneer Frank Piasecki, who died two weeks ago at age 88, leaves behind a lasting legacy in the rotorcraft world.
ATC
FAA Cuts Red Tape for Air Traffic Controller Hiring
To streamline the application process for air traffic controllers, the FAA has created consolidated screening and testing centers to provide “one-stop shop
Dassault Logs Record Falcon Sales
Dassault Aviation chairman and CEO Charles Edelstenne today released last year’s sales and financial results for the French aircraft manufacturer.
Aircraft
Eclipse, Etirc Scout Russian VLJ Plant Location
Eclipse Aviation and its investor/European distributor, Etirc Aviation, yesterday said the team is making progress toward establishing an Eclipse 500 manuf
Aircraft
Canada Lends $20M to Diamond for D-Jet Program
Diamond Aircraft on Saturday received a $19.6 million “repayable investment” from the Canadian government for research and development of its $1.4 million
Adam Aircraft Files Bankruptcy
On Friday, Adam Aircraft voluntarily filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the U.S.
ABACE Returns to Hong Kong
More than 700 attendees and 23 exhibitors were expected at the one-day Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (ABACE) forum held today in Hong K
Regulations and Government
House Aviation Subcommittee Probes Runway Safety
During a House aviation subcommittee hearing on runway safety yesterday, DOT Inspector General Calvin Scovel noted that aviation stakeholders are expressin
Accidents
CitationJet Crashed in Wintry Weather
The Cessna 525 CitationJet (N102PT) that crashed in a wooded area in West Gardiner, Maine, on February 1 was owned and flown by Silicon Valley entrepreneur
Adam Aircraft Freezes Operations
Last night Adam Aircraft announced it is suspending operations at its facilities in Englewood and Pueblo, Colo., because of funding issues at the start-up
Business Aircraft Deliveries Soar to New Heights
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) today announced 2007 year-end shipment figures for the general aviation industry.
Safety
UK safety board spotlights electronics corrosion
The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) last month issued a sweeping recommendation that the EASA, FAA, Transport Canada and other aviation agenci
Bizav Deliveries Climb at Hawker Beechcraft
Hawker Beechcraft delivered 120 business airplanes in the fourth quarter, up from 94 aircraft shipped in the last quarter of 2006.
Adam Aircraft ‘Moving Forward’ on Funding Options
Englewood, Colo.-based Adam Aircraft isn’t yet saying whether it met a “self imposed” deadline of January 31 to raise $30.5 million in short-term funding.
Aircraft
Cessna launches large-cabin Citation
Cessna Aircraft received the go-ahead from parent company Textron for development of a large-cabin, intercontinental aircraft that would expand the upper e
