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
Avionics
Satcom Direct Lands First Latin American Dealer
Latin America is a growing market for aircraft connectivity, and as the range of products and services expand there is a need for local partners.
Aircraft
Nearing FAA Nod, G600 Starts Field-performance Tests
To date, five flight-test G600s have accumulated some 2,290 flight hours over more than 600 flights.
Aircraft
ExecuJet To Welcome First Africa-based PC-24 in October
Pilatus jet will be based at South Africa's Cape Town International Airport and managed and operated day-to-day by the Luxaviation Group subsidiary.
Training and Workforce
FlightSafety Adds PT6 Familiarization Course for Pilots
The course includes basic theory, engine to airframe interface, and best practices while operating the engine.
Aircraft
Airbus Rolls Out First ACJ320neo
Bizliner is now being prepped for first flight “in the coming weeks.”
Avionics
Avionics Sales Soar 15.5% in First-half 2018
Of the more than $1.3 billion total, 57.5 percent came from the retrofit market.
Argus Reports Weak Growth in July for U.S. Bizav Flying
Part 135 has been the stalwart of increases in flight activity over the past few years, but that run ended last month.
Aircraft
Gulfstream G600 Makes LABACE Debut
The fly-by-wire Gulfstream G600 took time off from its certification testing to fly to Brazil for its first LABACE appearance.
Aircraft
Aerion Ramps Up Hiring as SSBJ Program Progresses
Company’s roster is growing as it heads into detailed design, systems test, production, and, eventually, first flight of the AS2 supersonic business jet.
Maintenance and Modifications
Gulfstream Wins $594M Support Contract from U.S. Govt.
Contract covers C-20 (GIII) and C-37 (GV/G550) fleets operated by the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Coast Guard.
Aircraft
Gulfstream G600 To Make Latin American Debut at LABACE
Gulfstream’s G600 on display next week in Brazil has an interior that won top honors for jet cabin design.
Aircraft
First HondaJet Elite Delivered
Upgraded model expands light jet’s performance envelope while adding interior improvements and more features to the Garmin G3000-based flight deck.
Barclays Bizjet Report Bullish on Bizjet Market
“After nearly a decade at trough levels, key business jet market indicators now all signal improvement," said Barclays aerospace analyst David Strauss.
Regulations and Government
NASA To Start Quiet Boom Flights over Galveston in Fall
NASA’s F/A-18 testbed will be flown using a “quiet supersonic dive maneuver” to “aim quiet sonic thumps at a specific area.”
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
West Coast Firm Now Solely Focused On Bizjet Taxes
Now known as BizjetCPA, the firm has since eliminated the maritime practice in favor its expanding business aviation work.
Aircraft
Bombardier Now Flying Two Flight-test Global 5500/6500s
Aircraft are currently based at the Bombardier Flight Test Center in Wichita.
Aircraft
Bombardier Completes Global 7500 Flight Testing
Bombardier is now ramping up Global 7500 final assembly in Toronto, with 20 aircraft now in various build stages on the line.
Bombardier Bizjet Shipments Flat, Services Up in 1H
Business jet division revenues climbed $6 million year-over-year in the first half to $2.417 billion, buoyed by a $76 million rise in services income.
New Features Added To 2018 MEBAA Show
New features include the incorporation of the MEBAA Conference on the show floor, a club lounge, and a product demonstration theater.
Duncan Aviation Opens Aircraft Sales Office in Phoenix
The Phoenix location will be staffed by Doug Kvassay, a longtime aircraft sales and acquisitions representative with the company.
ATC
Harris To Host CPDLC Briefing Tomorrow at Van Nuys
Event will brief pilots on steps needed to participate with departure clearance via CPDLC and give info on upcoming domestic en route CPDLC services.
Avionics
EBAA: New PBN Rule Improves Airport Capacity in Europe
New precision approaches in Europe are underpinned by the EGNOS satellite-based augmentation system.
Aircraft
Swiss Air-Rescue Rega Accepts Second Challenger 650
Rega carries out air-rescue operations in Switzerland with a fleet of 17 helicopters and repatriates patients from abroad with its three Challengers.
JSSI: Bizav Utilization Rates Taking Off
During the second quarter, average per-aircraft utilization reached 30.35 hours; year-to-date average flight hours are up 4.6 percent.
Deliveries Down, but Sales Climb at Gulfstream
Revenues at General Dynamics’ aerospace division, which includes Gulfstream and Jet Aviation, fell $432 million year-over-year, to $3.72 billion in 1H18.
Aviaâ Adds hullo Aircrew to Growing Supplier List
Under the agreement, Aviaâ members have around-the-clock access to a dedicated hullo Aircrew client manager to assist with crewing issues.
Engines
Nordam's U.S. Divisions File for Ch. 11 Reorganization
Nordam says move is result of contractual dispute with Pratt & Whitney Canada; P&WC says it offered Nordam assistance to prevent bankruptcy filing.
Aircraft
New Cessna Denali Mockup Makes AirVenture Debut
Textron Aviation is quickly moving toward first wing mate and completion of the Denali prototype airframes as the program nears first flight in early 2019.
Aircraft
SyberJet To Fly SJ30i with New Avionics in Coming Weeks
The SJ30i, which will also have new interior designs, is expected to enter service in mid- to late-2019, SyberJet said.
European Bizav Flying Flirts with 2008 Peak
Year-to-date growth stands at 2.7 percent versus a year ago, while the rolling 12-month average is up 3.3 percent.
