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
FBOs
Jet Aviation Integrates Hawker Pacific Singapore
The Hawker Pacific operations at Singapore Seletar Airport have been successfully integrated into Jet Aviation.
Avionics
Nextant Throttles Up Production of 604XT AutoPower Kits
Nextant Aero is ramping up production of its Safe Flight AutoPower system kits to meet demand for this option on its 604XT Pro Line Fusion flight deck.
Avionics
Transport Canada, FAA OK Learjet 45 NextGen Upgrade
Skyservice Business Aviation has received STC approval from Transport Canada and the AA for its Learjet 45 ‘NextGen and Beyond’ avionics upgrade package.
Avionics
BendixKing Unveils AeroVue Touch Flight Deck
BendixKing has unveiled its new AeroVue Touch integrated flight deck for Part 23 airplanes, available for both forward-fit and retrofit applications.
Aircraft
Daher TBM 940 Makes World Debut at Aero Show
Daher’s latest iteration of its TBM turboprop single—the Model 940—made its public debut this week at the Aero Friedrichshafen show in Germany.
Aircraft
Transport Canada Gives Nod to HondaJet Elite
The HondaJet Elite has received type certification from Transport Canada, with deliveries of the twinjet expected in Canada expected to begin immediately.
Avionics
Daher's Updated TBM App Adds Flight Analysis, Aircraft Status
Daher's latest version of its Me & My TBM app for TBM owners/operators adds new system parameters and flight analysis feedback features.
U.S. Bizav Flying Falls for Second Consecutive Month
Business aviation activity in the U.S., Canada, and Caribbean fell for the second consecutive month after Part 135 flying declined for 10th month in a row.
Charter & Fractional
With Skyjet Now Integrated, PrivateFly Set for Takeoff
Business aircraft charter broker PrivateFly has completed its integration with Skyjet and are now operating as a single entity under the PrivateFly brand.
Aircraft
Epic Remains on Course for E1000 Certification
Sunday’s crash of an Epic LT that killed the wife of Epic Aircraft owner and board member, won’t have any effect on certification of the Epic E1000.
Airports
Aero Charting App Gets More Charts, Extended Coverage
Eagle Cap's Aero Charting iPad app now includes VFR sectionals and IFR en route charts, and extends coverage to include the Caribbean, Alaska, and Hawaii.
Training and Workforce
Lightspeed Donating Headsets to Ray Scholarship Winners
The Lightspeed Aviation Foundation is donating a Lightspeed Zulu 3 headset to each recipient of the EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship
Airports
SocialFlight App Adds Airport Restaurant Information
The latest version of SocialFlight app, which helps pilots find aviation events and interesting places to fly, now has an airport restaurant feature.
Aircraft
Piper Inks Its Largest-ever Training Aircraft Order
L3 Commercial Aviation placed an order for up to 240 new Piper aircraft at Sun ‘n‘ Fun 2019, representing Piper’s largest civilian fleet order ever.
Airports
Signature Flight Support Offers Crew Shuttles at SNF
This week at the Sun ‘n‘ Fly-In and Expo in Lakeland, Florida, Signature is providing a pilot shuttle service from the transient aircraft parking areas.
Aircraft
2019 TBM 910 Gets G1000Nxi Avionics, Automatic Deicing
Daher is adding a multitude of avionics, safety, and interior upgrades to its 2019-edition TBM 910, including G1000NXi avionics and automatic deicing.
Aircraft
Piper Unveils Affordable Pilot Trainers
Piper Aircraft launched the Piper Pilot 100 and 100i basic trainers this morning at Sun ‘n‘ Fun 2019.
AOPA App's Pilot Passport Gamifies Flying
The AOPA app's new Pilot Passport feature lets users search for new places to fly, check in at airports and aviation events, and earn points and badges.
Regulations and Government
U.S. Customs Border Patrol Displaying, Hiring at SNF
The U.S. Customs Border Patrol air and marine operations (AMO) will be showcasing aircraft and marine vessels at the 45th annual Sun ‘n’ Fun International.
Aircraft
Global 7500 Takes LA to New York City Speed Crown
A production Bombardier Global 7500 that serves as a demonstrator aircraft set a speed record from Los Angeles to New York City over the weekend.
Maintenance and Modifications
Jet MS Completes 7,800 Landings Inspection on CL604
Vilnius, Lithuania-based Jet Maintenance Solutions has become one of the first business aircraft MROs to complete the 7,800 landings ins
Maintenance and Modifications
Bombardier Tees Up Mobile Support for Masters Tourney
Bombardier Business Aircraft is bringing a contingent of support services to Georgia’s Augusta Regional Airport next month for the Masters Tournament.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
USAIG Incentivizes IS-BAO, BASC Accreditations
USAIG is adding financial incentives for operators with Performance Vector Plus policies to be IS-BAO registered or meet BASC requirements.
Aircraft
JetNet: Market for Supersonic Bizjets Sizable, Growing
There is a “sizable and growing market” for supersonic business jets (SSBJs), according to market research data from JetNet iQ.
Maintenance and Modifications
Blockchain Could Revolutionize Part Lifecycle Records
Blockchain—secure, tamper-resistant digital records—could revolutionize the way aircraft part histories are recorded and stored, said SITA's Dan daCosta.
Regulations and Government
DOT IG Finalizing FAA Aircraft Registry Audit Report
The U.S. DOT IG is expected to release a draft audit report of the FAA civil aircraft registry this week to the aviation agency.
Bizjet Market Outlook Cloudy, Says Industry Analyst
New bizjet deliveries are expected to climb this year, though sales are projected to be more sluggish as world economies slow and recessionary risk rises.
Maintenance and Modifications
Naples Jet Center Gets Brazil ANAC Nod for Mx
Florida-based Naples Jet Center received Brazil ANAC approval to provide airframe, engine, and avionics services for Brazil-registered business aircraft.
Accidents
NTSB Head: Part 135 Needs Same Safety Tools as Airlines
NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt said the May 2017 crash of a Learjet makes the case that Part 135 operators need the same safety tools as the airlines have.
Regulations and Government
FAA-EU Pacts Expand Aviation Market Access
Two agreements signed last week between FAA and European Union officials have further opened market access on both side of the Atlantic.
