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
Travel Air, Flight Options on merger final approach
The combination of fractional providers Flight Options and Raytheon Travel Air (RTA) into Cleveland-based Flight Options LLC is expected by the end of this
Adam Aircraft Auction Next Week
The next chapter for bankrupt Adam Aircraft will start Friday, April 4, when the start-up aircraft manufacturer’s bulk assets are set to be auctioned.
Aircraft
Diamond Looks To a Higher Power for D-Jet
Late last week, Diamond Aircraft selected a more powerful version of the Williams FJ33 turbofan–the FJ33-4A-19–for its single-engine D-Jet.
Regulations and Government
ATA Reasserts that Bizjets Don’t Pay ‘Fair Share’
The Air Transport Association (ATA) contends that the recently issued DOT Inspector General report on National Airspace System usage proves the airline tra
Charter & Fractional
IPO Is a No Go for Pogo
The credit crisis on Wall Street scuttled start-up very light jet air-taxi Pogo Jet’s plans to start selling shares this week on the Nasdaq stock exchange.
Charter & Fractional
NetJets Europe Ventures into India Frax Market
NetJets Europe yesterday announced it is partnering with Ashish Chordia–CEO of Mumbai-based Shreyans, an importer of luxury goods–to act as its strategic p
Falling Dollar Worries Dassault Aviation Chief
Dassault Aviation CEO and Gifas chairman Charles Edelstenne had a sobering message for the European community despite presenting news that the French aeros
Maintenance and Modifications
Sierra XR Mod Boosts Citation I/II Range
Cessna Citation modifier Sierra Industries is expanding its product line by offering extended-range upgrades for the Citation I, II and S-II.
FAA Forecast: Bizav To Continue Climbing
In its aerospace forecast released on Tuesday, the FAA predi
Regulations and Government
FAA Mandates Better Voice and Flight Data Recorders
The FAA is mandating updated aircraft cockpit voice and flight data recorders for airplanes with 10 or more seats and operating under Parts 121, 125 or 135
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
