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
Heritage Aviation Achieves Benefit Corp. Status
Heritage Aviation has converted to a Vermont Benefit Corp., which requires it to consider social responsibility to employees, environment, and community.
Honda Aircraft Settles with DOJ over Hiring Error
Honda Aircraft will pay a civil penalty for requiring job applicants to have a specific citizenship status due to a “misunderstanding" of requirements.
Maintenance and Modifications
Whelen Engineering Acquires LoPresti Aviation
Chester, Connecticut-based Whelen Engineering acquired LoPresti Aviation and spun off its aviation division to combine the aviation lighting companies into
FBOs
American Aero Nets Everest Fuel Award for Excellence
American Aero FTW at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport is among the first FBOs to receive the inaugural Everest Fuel Preferred Award.
Avionics
As ADS-B Mandate Looms, ACSS Ships 10,000th NXT Unit
With U.S. and European ADS-B Out mandates nearing, ACSS announced yesterday that it has delivered the 10,000th production unit of its NXT Mode S transponde
FBOs
Air Culinaire Releases Bizav Catering Menu App
Air Culinaire Worldwide has launched a new mobile app that enables clients to access global menus, in-flight catering tools, and culinary resources.
Avionics
Garmin Now Shipping ADS-B GPS Source for Legacy 600/650
Garmin is now shipping its standalone GPS 3000 WAAS/SBAS position sensor that interfaces with existing avionics to help meet ADS-B Out requirements.
Aircraft
G500 Deliveries Put Gulfstream Over the Top in 2018
Gulfstream delivered 121 business jets last year, one more than in 2017, with the mix favoring large-cabin jets, at 92, up two from a year earlier.
Argus: Expect More Mild Growth for U.S. Bizav Flying
Business aircraft flight activity in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean increased by a moderate 0.9 percent last year, compared with 4.8 percent in 2017.
Aircraft
Qatar Executive Presses G500s into Charter Service
Qatar Executive has become the world’s first commercial service operator of the recently certified Gulfstream G500.
FBOs
Signature’s TechnicAir Adds Mobile Service in Midwest
Signature TechnicAir has stationed new mobile service units at Chicago Midway International (MDW) and Minnesota’s Saint Paul Downto
Maintenance and Modifications
Private Equity Firm Levine Leichtman Buys AeroSafety
Levine Leichtman Capital has acquired AeroSafety, which services aircraft life vests, fire extinguishers, oxygen masks and cylinders, and life rafts.
Aircraft
Global 7500 To Make Touchdown at PDK for Super Bowl
Bombardier Business Aircraft is using the Super Bowl in Atlanta to kick off a world tour of its flagship Global 7500.
Charter & Fractional
JetSuiteX Adds Flights To Coachella Music Festival
JetSuiteX is adding seasonal flights to Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport (TRM) in Thermal, California, this April for the Coachella Music Festival.
Maintenance and Modifications
West Star Opens New Hangar at East Alton Location
West Star Aviation opened a 60,000-sq-ft hangar at its East Alton, Illinois facility, allowing it to expand existing business aircraft maintenance programs
Maintenance and Modifications
Bombardier Adds Mobile Response Truck in New England
Bombardier Business Aircraft has positioned a mobile response team truck in New England, enhancing its aircraft maintenance reach and respose in the region
Maintenance and Modifications
Dassault Boosts Falcon Support in Davos for WEF
To serve Falcon crews flying into Davos for the WEF, Dassault has reinforced its support teams at Zurich International and St. Gallen–Altenrhein Airports.
On Air Dining's New Menu Features Locally Sourced Foods
London aircraft caterer On Air Dining has launched a “farm to flight” initiative with a new menu featuring locally sourced meats, seafood, and vegetables.
Charter & Fractional
NetJets, Pilot Union Sign 'Industry-leading' Contract
Fractional provider NetJets signed an interim bargaining agreement with pilot union NJASAP, increasing compensation and extending the contract to 2026.
Charter & Fractional
Pula Expands Bizav Portfolio with ASG Acquisition
The parent company of Bristol, UK-based business aircraft charter, management, MRO, and FBO Centreline has aquired Guernsey-based ASG.
Airports
London Biggin Hill Finishes 2018 on a High Note
London Biggin Hill Airport said it expects more growth this year after logging a 12 percent increase in business aviation traffic in 2018.
Charter & Fractional
Click Aviation Snaps Up CharterPad
Business aviation trip support services company Click Aviation Network has acquired CharterPad, an online platform for air charter professionals.
Aircraft
Industry Watcher: Bizjet Shipments To Climb 10% in 2019
Business jet deliveries this could see more than a 10 percent jump over 2018, primarily driven by several new models simultaneously coming to market.
ATC
NATCA Sues U.S. Government for Controllers' Pay
The union representing FAA air traffic controllers filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government for non-payment of wages due to the ongoing shutdown.
U.S. Bizav Flying Ends 2018 on Weaker Footing
Business aviation activity in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean fell slightly in December, ending the year on a down note.
Maintenance and Modifications
MRO Insider Launches Customer Rewards Program
MRO Insider has launched a customer loyalty program that incentivizes use of its web-based business aircraft maintenance request tool.
Aircraft
Hagerty Jet Expects 'Choppy' Used Bizjet Market in 2019
Hagerty Jet Group anticipates a “choppy” preowned business jet market this year due to political uncertainty and equity market volatility.
Training and Workforce
ASTM Starts Certification Program for Bizjet Cabin Crew
ASTM International's certification program for bizjet cabin crews will test knowledge of and skills in aircraft safety procedures and cabin-service safety.
Avionics
FAA Awards Next-gen WAAS Contract to NovAtel
Through a new FAA contract, NovAtel will deliver 40 next-gen ground uplink stations to upgrade the WAAS network.
Environment
LHT Offers Environmentally Friendly Disinsection Spray
Previously available disinsection sprays are considered hazardous materials that can be shipped solely by ground.
