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
HondaJet, Phenom 300 Spar for Top Light Jet Sales Title
If it pulls off the feat, the HondaJet would assume the title from the Embraer Phenom 300, which has been the best seller in this category for four years.
TNA Aviation Intros Heavy-duty Remote-controlled Tug
The tug is rated for a towing power of up to 165,000 pounds mtow.
UBS: Bizjet Market Still Stuck in Neutral
The overall index was driven lower by weaker customer interest, softer pricing and muted 12-month outlook.
Aircraft
HondaJet Gets Brazlian Nod
In 2015, Honda Aircraft appointed Lider Aviacão as its exclusive dealer to provide sales, service and support for customers in Brazil.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Waypoint Inks Deal with Helicol, Its First in Colombia
Since its inception in 2013, Waypoint has been active in supporting oil and gas, utility, firefighting and other industrial-focused helicopter operators.
U.S. Bizav Flying Up in July, but Part 91 Still a Drag
Flight activity missed the company’s forecast for 4.3 percent growth in July, but Argus predicts a 3.3 percent rise this month.
Aircraft
Bombardier Ships First CL350 for Argentinian Customer
The 350 is an upgraded Challenger 300 with a new wing, more powerful Honeywell HTF7350 engines, larger windows and redesigned interior.
Maintenance and Modifications
Skyservice Toronto Tapped for Falcon-authorized Mx
Deal will allow Skyservice Toronto to perform line maintenance, AOG support and other services on Falcon 900EX EASy and 2000EX EASy families.
Aircraft
Bombardier Lands First Learjet 75 Customer in Brazil
The Bombardier business jet fleet in Latin America currently includes more than 510 Learjets and some 175 Challengers and Globals.
World Fuel Opens Trip Support Office in Mexico
Office can now provide flight planning and trip support to Mexican operators flying internationally and all operators flying into Mexico and Latin America.
Safety
Honeywell Launches Proximity Sensors for Aircraft
Its integral health monitoring (IHM) proximity sensors can detect when a sensor has been damaged or otherwise affected.
ATC
GA Leaders: 'Redouble' Opposition to Privatized ATC
Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Indiana) said the true intent of H.R.2997 is “not privatization; this is a corporate takeover.”
Airports
NBAA: Solar Eclipse Could Affect Some Bizav Ops
NBAA uggests that pilots check Notams for possible TFRs and other events that could affect planned flights around August 21.
Foley: Bizav Market Has Bottomed Out in Latin America
Data from Amstat indicates that fleet of private aircraft in the region grew by 1 percent over the 12 months ending June 30.
European Bizav Flying Continues Upward Trajectory
Following the trend so far this summer in Europe, the strongest expansion in flight activity last month was in the Mediterranean.
Airports
Court Nullifies HTO Curfews and Noise Restrictions
Plaintiffs had argued that the federal Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 applies to all public-use U.S. airports.
Rotorcraft
Chicago Vertiport To Host Helicopter Show This Thursday
The show, which is free and open to the public, will include some 20 helicopters on static display.
Aircraft
FAA: No More Issues Putting PC-12s on Part 135 Tickets
The issue arose when FSDOs had differing interpretations of FAR 135.163(f), which outlines electrical power requirements for single-engine aircraft.
ATC
NBAA Seeks Routes To Ease Impact of Presidential TFR
While most TFRs affect airports, “This one is primarily an airspace problem because it shuts down many of the route options in and out of New York City."
Engines
Williams FJ44 for Pilatus Jet Gets FAA, EASA Nods
PC-24 will also be the first FJ44 application to provide “quiet, efficient ground power,” eliminating the need for a traditional APU.
Argus: North American Bizav Flying Rises 3.9% in 1H17
Flight activity continues to be “very strong” in the Part 135 segment, rising 10.1 percent during the first six versus the same period a year ago.
Maintenance and Modifications
U.S. GIV Owners Have 36 Months To Retrofit Gust Locks
Action stems from NTSB safety recommendation outlined in its final report of the GIV that crashed on takeoff from Massachusett’s Bedford-Hanscom Field.
Universal: Plan Now for Bizav Ops to 2018 Winter Games
Operators should expect delays in processing times or find lack of slot availability as the event nears.
NBAA-CAN Fundraiser Gets New Look
The Fund an Angel Cocktail Reception, formerly the NBAA/CAN Soiree, will feature live and silent auctions, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and networking.
Rotorcraft
Midwest Helicopter Charter Firms Form One Sweet Company
Sweet Helicopters provides private helicopter charters and aerial production services.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
GIV Flight Proves Global Xpress Worldwide Coverage
During the flight, Global Xpress supported voice, data and streaming applications
Avionics
HAI Asks FAA To Include Helos in ADS-B Rebate Program
ADS-B OUT avionics will be required for all aircraft, including helicopters, flying in controlled U.S. airspace on Jan. 1, 2020.
Rotorcraft
CHC Inks Deal with Milestone for Super-medium Helos
The new helicopters will be configured for energy transport missions and will serve CHC customers in the North Sea and Australia.
Aircraft
Daher Offering Garmin G1000NXi Upgrade as TBM Retrofit
The upgrade will provide faster system boot-up and software loading, in addition to the ability to manage more data and display visual charts.
Aircraft
Bombardier Bizjet Shipments Down, but Globals Rise
The company reaffirmed its full-year guidance of 135 business jet deliveries, which would put overall shipments on par with 2016.
