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
Aircraft
'Battle of Bigs' Heats Up as Global 7500 Nears Entry
Citi says there’s an expectation that Gulfstream will soon announce a new product to maintain its position at the high end of the market.
Avionics
Honeywell GoDirect Adds Flight Plan Upload Feature
New feature allows pilots to upload their ForeFlight and RocketRoute flight plans directly to their aircraft via Honeywell’s datalink network.
CAN Continues Shorter-format Fundraiser at NBAA 2018
Last year, the event raised $435,000 for CAN’s mission to transport cancer patients to treatment centers.
Aircraft
Brokers’ Dilemma Is Finding Good Used Jets, Not Buyers
Brokers told Citi that the key determinant to sale is aircraft attractiveness, including age and cockpit/interior configuration.
Elit’Avia Executive Writes Thriller Novel
Houseman tapped into his personal experience of leaving his home country of Scotland for Canada as a young adult to write the book.
Aircraft
Gulfstream G650 Conducts Steep Approach Trials at LCY
London City is one of a handful of airports around the world that employ steep approaches—in this case 5.5 degrees.
Charter & Fractional
VistaJet's New Parent Company To Acquire XOJet
Acquisition is a “major strategic step forward” that builds on its existing global offering and reinforces its established position in North America.
Aircraft
Pilatus PC-24 Lands at Jetfly
The new twinjet joins Jetfly’s previously existing fleet of 22 Pilatus PC-12 turboprop singles and three Cessna Citation CJ3s.
U.S. Bizav Flight Activity Continues Climb, Says Argus
Part 91 activity logged another solid month, climbing 3.8 percent from last August, followed by a 0.4 percent increase in Part 135 operations.
Charter & Fractional
Argus Accepts Experience To Meet TripCheq SIC Minimums
TripCheq provides a “comprehensive analysis” of a commercial operator’s credentials, according to the company.
Charter & Fractional
VistaJet's New Parent Aims To Defragment Bizav Market
The launch of Dubai-based Vista Global is backed by Rhône Group, is investing an additional $200M in Vista Global for acquisitions.
Charter & Fractional
Flexjet's Sales Soar 17 Percent in First-half 2018
New business was even more robust, soaring by 76 percent from a year ago.
Once a Savior for Bizav, Emerging Markets Fade
Without them, the rout in worldwide business jet unit deliveries from 2008 to 2012 would have been far worse, says bizav analyst Brian Foley.
Aircraft
Bombardier: 'Mission Accomplished' for Global 7500 FTV1
The first Global 7500 has been retired from flight-test duties, but has been painted and will be used as a company demonstrator.
Aircraft
Learjet 70/75's Garmin G5000 Avionics Get an Upgrade
Upgrade will be available on new Learjet 70s and 75s, with a retrofit for in-service models made available concurrently.
Charter & Fractional
Directional Aviation's OneSky Acquires PrivateFly
Combination of PrivateFly and OneSky's Skyjet will create one of the world’s largest online booking platforms for private jet charter.
Aircraft
Spike Aims for Stage 5-compliant Supersonic Bizjet
Promises to minimize emissions, maximize fuel efficiency, and economy of its S-512 design.
Safety
New Dassault Falcons Now Come with Aircare Med Services
Falcon operators taking delivery of new aircraft will receive a standard first aid kit, training, and access to a 24/7/365 telemedicine call center.
Safety
APS Adds High-altitude Recurrent Upset Training
Program for pilots is a concentrated day of on-aircraft UPRT that “reinvigorates initial training competencies and updates skills."
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Constant Exceeds 20 MicroShield Applications in Bizjets
Product kills 99.99 percent of pathogens on treated surfaces for one year.
Maintenance and Modifications
Sierra Nevada Expands Huntsville Mx Facility
this will be its second modifications facility in the area, adding 60,794 sq ft of hangar space—enough to house up to seven Beechcraft King Airs.
Aircraft
VREF Signs as Partner for air.one Aircraft Marketplace
Aircraft brokers, buyer’s agents, and private buyers can now purchase a VREF Verified Report for an aircraft directly from its air.one listing.
Charter & Fractional
Charter Firm Boutique Air Begins DEN-Telluride Flights
The operator received FAA/DOT commuter authority in 2012 to conduct scheduled flights and is code-sharing with United Airlines on the route.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Aircraft Insurance Rates Climbing, Says Broker
After years of decreases, aircraft inurance rates are now headed upward, notes Aviation Specialty Insurance president Matt Drummelsmith.
Avionics
Garmin Acquires Trip Support Firm FltPlan
More than 6.3 million flight plans are created annually by FltPlan’s 165,000 registered users via its website or FltPlan Go app.
Regulations and Government
FIS-B Notams Not a Complete List, FAA Warns
FIS-B Notams are limited to those issued in the past 30 days, even though older ones might still be active.
Aircraft
UBS: Bombardier To Reclaim Large Bizjet Market Share
Share could potentially exceed 40 percent in both units and value by 2020 as Bombardier delivers its new Globals to customers.
Safety
Bombardier Safety Standdown Registration Now Open
This year’s theme is “Normalization of Excellence,” and the goal is for Safety Standdown attendees to elevate their professionalism.
Bombardier Hires On Di Perna as Aerospace COO
He will lead the aerospace engineering, procurement, and transformation functions, as well as oversee the Aerostructures and Engineering Services unit.
Air.one Marketplace Looks To Ease Aircraft Transactions
But air.one founder Andrew Leece stressed that the marketplace will complement, not replace, aircraft brokers.
