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
Flexjet Europe Gears Up for More Growth
Flexjet Europe is growing quickly, with plans to double its fleet and add new access programs next year.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Broker: Aircraft Insurance Rates To Climb 5% to 30%
A recent spate of accidents has turned the aircraft insurance market from soft to hard in just a few months. Expect rate increases, said one broker.
Charter & Fractional
RFDS Takes Delivery of First Medevac-equipped PC-24
The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia's medevac-outfitted Pilatus PC-24 will allow it to transport patients longer distances.
Avionics
FCC Allows Galileo To Augment GPS in U.S.
The FCC order allows Galileo's 30 global navigation system satellites to be used in the U.S. to augment the 31 satellites in the U.S. GPS network.
Aircraft
First Airbus ACJ320neo Takes Flight
“The ACJ320neo first flight heralds a new Airbus corporate jet era, delivering a range that enables nonstop travel between even more cities," said Airbus.
Charter & Fractional
Aircraft Management Industry Ripe for Consolidation
The challenge of finding good people, higher pilot salaries, and regulatory requirements will drive consolidation of aircraft management companies.
Avionics
Half of U.S. Aircraft Fleet Will Miss ADS-B Deadline
Just 46.2 percent of the U.S. aircraft fleet is projected to meet the ADS-B equipment mandate by the Jan. 1, 2020 deadline.
Aircraft
Gulfstream Won't 'Relinquish' Top-of-market Position
Mark Burns, president and CEO of Gulfstream Aerospace, said his company won't allow the new Global 7500 bizjet to overtake its top-of-the-market position.
Regulations and Government
Changes Coming for U.S. Aircraft Registry
The recently passed FAA bill will will cause more immediate changes, while results of ongoing DOT IG and GAO audits will lead to more later on.
Aircraft
Will Automation Eventually Replace Pilots?
Technology in development could lead to fully automated aircraft over the next decade.
Mente Chief: Bizav Market Montentum To Continue in 2019
According to Mente Group president and CEO Brian Proctor, bizav market momentum will continue into 2019 despite “more headwinds than tailwinds."
Mente To Present Next Week at CJI Miami Event
Other sessions at the two-day conference include business jet financing, alternative fuels, U.S. aircraft registration, aircraft management, and taxes.
TAG Farnborough Extends Aircraft Detailing Hours
Its detailing teams are fully mobile with dedicated vans and log more than 9,000 hours of aircraft interior and exterior detailing services annually.
Bombardier Bizjet Division Sees Modest Growth in 3Q18
In the first nine months, Bombardier Business Aircraft has shipped 96 aircraft—one more than it did in the same period last year.
Training and Workforce
CAE To Buy Bombardier's Bizav Training Biz for $645M
Acquisition is “highly complementary “ to CAE and will expand its position in the largest and fastest-growing segment of the bizav training market.
Aircraft
Global 7500 Crosses FAA Certification Finish Line
Certification comes some eight years after Bombardier unveiled its longest range and largest business jet to date.
Avionics
Airshare Opts for Gogo Avance L3 on Phenom 100s
Avance L3 allows anyone onboard the aircraft to use email; send text messages and make voice calls with Gogo Text & Talk; and access flight apps.
Maintenance and Modifications
eABS Supplement Boosts King Air 300 Runway Performance
Flight manual revision offers distance reductions of up to 7 percent on takeoff and 4 percent on landing under hotter, higher, and/or heavier conditions.
Regulations and Government
NASA Spools Up Low-boom Supersonic Research
The X-59, which will be built by Lockheed Martin, could pave the way for supersonic flight over land in the U.S.
JSSI: Average Bizcraft Flight Activity Still Soaring
“This positive trend in aircraft utilization demonstrates a high level of confidence in current economic conditions," said JSSI CEO Neil Book.
Aircraft
Eviation Selects Hartzell Props for All-electric Alice
Under the partnership, Hartzell will provide customized and optimized propellers and support systems.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
BBD's Global Outfit Center Renamed To Honor Beaudoin
Facility is where Global family business jet interiors are designed, manufactured, and installed.
Aircraft
Embraer’s 2018 Bizjet Deliveries To Meet Lower Estimate
To date, Embraer Executive Jets has handed over 55 aircraft, meaning it will have to deliver 50 aircraft in the fourth quarter.
Maintenance and Modifications
Western Aircraft Logs 100th Falcon C-inspection
Since 2001, Western Aircraft has completed C-inspections on an array of Falcons, including variants of the Model 50, 2000, 900, and 7X.
Maintenance and Modifications
Baker's Dozen of Spey Engines Donated To A&P Program
These engines will provide real-world experience for students enrolled in Hallmark University's A&P degree program.
Avionics
Duncan Satellite Shops Get Mexico DGAC Nod
Denver, and Austin and Dallas, Texas, shops join those in Scottsdale, Arizona; Van Nuys, California; Las Vegas; and Houston with DGAC certification.
Safety
2018 Bombardier Safety Standdown Takes Off
In-person event is at capacity, but interested aviation professionals can still virtually attend the event via webcast.
Airports
AMP To Move Headquarters MRO Facility to Dallas Exec
New 43,000-sq-ft service center is expected to open in the first quarter of 2020.
Regulations and Government
Runway Safety, Fatigue Land on Canada TSB Watchlist
Runway overruns and risk of collisions on runways, as well as fatigue, was cited by TSB as a concern for aviation safety.
Charter & Fractional
FAA Asks Operators To Examine W&B Procedures
A number of accident and incident investigations have revealed several instances where inaccurate basic operating weight was used.
