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
Training and Workforce
FlightSafety Expands Phased Recurrent Training Program
Program is compliant with EASA FCL (Part-ORO) and consists of two distinct training modules per year over a three-year period.
Aircraft
Pilatus Hands Over PC-24 to Former Nestlé Chief
Twinjet will be available in Europe to members of "Flying Club 24,” a new aircraft membership firm based in Sion, Switzerland.
Regulations and Government
Dart Emergency Floats for Bell 505 Get FAA Nod
This adds to Transport Canada certification it obtained in mid-February, as well as recent approval from Japan’s JCAB.
Inventory of Used Business Aircraft Continues To Shrink
Across all segments, including helicopters, there were 5,675 aircraft for sale in the quarter, down 10.7 percent, or 680 units, from a year ago.
Charter & Fractional
JetSuite Plans a Future with Hybrid Electric Aircraft
JetSuite plans to add up to 100 Zunum Aero 12-passenger hybrid-to-electric aircraft to its fleet.
Charter & Fractional
NBAA Releases Per-seat Charter Guidelines
Provides an overview of types of per-seat and “planeload” charter operations using aircraft operated under Part 135, as well as regulatory considerations.
Safety
App Can Help Crews Deal with In-flight Medical Issues
AirRx provides a real-time checklist and quick reference handbook to improve the way that emergent medical situations in the air are addressed.
AfBAA Announces Shows in Nairobi, South Africa
Nairobi show will feature focused sessions and workshops on the operational needs of rotary aircraft, remotely piloted aerial systems, and business jets.
Charter & Fractional
Flexjet Boosts Pay for Red Label Pilots
Company also intends to expand its fleet by 14 percent this year, which will require growth in pilot ranks by 25 percent.
Charter & Fractional
OJets' Growth, Elit’Avia Integration Progress On Plan
Acquisition is not only accelerating OJets’ growth but providing an anchor in the European aircraft management, charter, and aviaton services market.
Avionics
Satellite Data Unit STC'd for Gulfstream G450, G550
DL150 combines many capabilities, including datalink com for FANS 1/A+ installations, air traffic services notification, and ACARS and CPDLC messaging.
Airports
NBAA Asks Judicial Panel To Void FAA's SMO Agreement
The deal allows the city to shorten the runway and provides the option to close the Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) after 2028.
Rotorcraft
Offshore Oil Chiefs Recommit To Helo Safety Initiatives
Leaders agree to push for “comprehensive implementation of safety priorities that will have the most potential to save lives in helicopter operations."
Asset Insight Rolls Out Real-time Aircraft Valuation Tool
Valuation data and other information can be presented in graph and table formats for current, residual, orderly liquidation value, and maintenance events.
Aircraft
Gulfstream's New Twins Log Record Transpacific Flights
On April 20, the G500 and G600 flew from Shanghai to Honolulu at an average speed of Mach 0.90.
U.S. Bizav Flying Rises as Part 91 Reawakens
All aircraft categories saw increases last month, with large-cabin jets once again coming out ahead with a 4.7-percent year-over-year increase.
Avionics
Ventura Air Developing STC for SmartSky in Learjet 55
The SmartSky 4G LTE system received its first STC in January—for the Cessna Citation Excel.
Aircraft
Pilatus Logs Successful Year, Looks To Future with PC-24
Backlog at Pilatus surged to $2.16 billion, which the company pointed out is equivalent to more than two years of its sales revenue.
Charter & Fractional
Charter Firm Dangles $80K in Bonuses for New Pilots
“We're offering this retention plan to attract the best and brightest pilots to our operation that support our strong safety culture," the company said.
Maintenance and Modifications
FlightDocs Opens Tech Center in Southwest Florida
The facility houses nearly 40 developers and other technology experts.
JetNet To Demo New Features, Hold iQ Briefing at EBACE
JetNet Marketplace and Aerodex Elite programs both offer in-depth European historical flight activity and route analysis capability.
Charter & Fractional
VistaJet's Flight Hours Soar 22%, Led by U.S. Demand
In the last 12 months, VistaJet has flown more chief executives and chairmen to more destinations than ever before, the company says.
Maintenance and Modifications
West Star Aviation Strengthens Leadership Team
Company has taken a proactive approach in strengthening its leadership team to ensure its continued success in delivering industry-leading services.
Aircraft
Bombardier's Bizjet Unit Off To Good Start in 2018
Mix of business jets delivered in the first three months was more favorable compared with the same period last year.
Aircraft
Bombardier To Move Global Family Production to Pearson
38-acre site at Toronto Pearson International Airport will house a new center of excellence and final assembly plant for its Global business jet family.
FBOs
Jet Aviation Completes Hawker Pacific Acquisition
As part of this acquisition, Jet Aviation will add 19 locations across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East to its global network.
Charter & Fractional
JetSuiteX Codeshares with JetBlue
Unlike the airlines, JetSuiteX customers can arrive 20 minutes before departure and board in just minutes.
Charter & Fractional
U.S. Pilot Groups Urge Flexjet Pilots To Keep Union
The decertification vote begins for OneSky pilots on May 2 and ends May 30.
Aircraft
Quest Taps Clay Lacy as U.S. Northeast Kodiak Dealer
This move builds on the companies’ relationship in the Pacific Northwest, where Clay Lacy has been a Quest-authorized dealer since 2015.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Bizjet Interior Component Maker MSB Opens SAV Facility
The new 10,000-sq-ft U.S. production facility is expected to produce up to 30 percent of MSB’s North America output this year.
