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
Fueled by Growth in U.S., VistaJet Bookings Climb 137%
More than 65 percent of VistaJet U.S.’s new customers came from corporations and Fortune 500 companies.
Aircraft
Daher Delivers First 2017 TBM 930
Newest model now comes standard with ADS-B IN avonics, stick shaker, new interior features and wireless connectivity gateway.
Avionics
Volcanic Ash Detector for Jets Passes Ground Tests
At typical cruise speeds the system provides pilots with a seven to 10-minute warning, allowing sufficient time to safely evade ash clouds.
Aircraft
Gulfstream Jet Deliveries Find Bottom in 2016
This year is expected to be mostly flat, with moderate growth in 2018 and 2019 and a “significant” rise in 2020.
Airports
More Details Emerge on Presidential TFR at PBI
Lanata Airport “will be the most affected” under the TFR because it is within the more restrictive 10-nm ring.
NBAA Chief: 'Consequential' Change Coming for Bizav
Ed Bolen said the bizav industry must be "active and engaged" with changes to come under the new U.S. Congress and President.
Security
NBAA Kicks Off Inaugural Bizav Security Conference
Because security has always been a core priority for business aviation, additional federal regulations might not necessarily yield any better security.
FBOs
New FBO Chain Launches, Buys Illinois Facility
Stellar Aviation Group, a new FBO network started by three former Galaxy Aviation executives, has acquired the Horizon Aviation FBO in Springfield, Ill.
Rotorcraft
Flight Physiology Course To Be Held at Heli-Expo 2017
session will focus on the latest research and developments on topics that over the years have led to numerous helicopter accidents and pilot deaths.
Aircraft
Spike Aero To Fly Subsonic Prototype of SSBJ This Year
The scale prototype of its S-512 Quiet Supersonic Jet will demonstrate low-speed aerodynamic flight characteristics.
Avionics
Lufthansa Technik STCs Dual Ka-band Radome for BBJ1/2
The solution provides onboard high-speed internet, TV connections and a tail-view video feed.
JetNet Adding Live-aircraft Tracking to Aerodex
Users can see FAA-registered flights with activity from England, Ireland, Canada, the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean in real time.
Charter & Fractional
BACA To Hold Its Inaugural Air Charter Expo in London
ACE ’17 will include conference and learning sessions, a static display, exhibition space and networking opportunities.
FBOs
Jet Aviation Acquires Washington Dulles FBO from Ross Aviation
The Washington Dulles FBO complex ecompasses six hangars, 10 acres of ramp space and a newly renovated FBO terminal.
Regulations and Government
FAA To Hold Meetings on New SoCal Satnav Routes
Airspace improvements in Southern California that will replace dozens of existing conventional air routes with new satellite-based routes.
ATC
Honeywell Debunks Reports of Bogus CPDLC Messages
G550 crew received a “DESCEND AT MAXIMUM” message on CPDLC, and when they checked on voice with ATC it hadn’t come from them.
Regulations and Government
Puerto Rican FBO Opens Co-located U.S. Customs Facility
New general aviation facility was built in full compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) standards.
Aircraft
Embraer Bizjet Deliveries Fall Slightly, but Mix Better
Last year’s tally includes 73 Phenom light jets and 44 Legacy and Lineage large jets versus 82 Phenoms and 38 large jets in 2015.
Maintenance and Modifications
RCA Avionics Completes Acquisition of Scottsdale MRO
Deal included the Executive Aircraft Maintenance name and both the maintenance and avionics operations at the Arizona airport.
Aircraft
PlaneSense Tapped as Launch Customer for Pilatus PC-24
The fractional provider, which currently operates more than 50 PC-12 turboprop singles, will take delivery of the first customer PC-24 later this year.
Aircraft
Piper Wins 50-aircraft Order from China Air Shuttle
China Air Shuttle will begin to take deliveries in the second quarter and then distribute the Piper Archers to flight schools and genav outfits in China.
European Bizav Flying Fell Short in 2016, Says WingX
Business aircraft activity last year in Europe fell 0.3 percent from 2015, with 798,000 flights logged in the region.
Charter & Fractional
U.S. Supreme Court Declines To Hear Flytenow Case
The FAA had determined that pilots who solicit passengers using the website are “common carriers” and subject to commercial transportation requirements.
Aircraft
Gulfstream G650ER Logs More City-pair Speed Records
7,500-nm jet claims two more city-pair records—from Columbus, Ohio, to Shanghai and Taipei to Scottsdale, Arizona.
Bizjet Outlook, Interest at Post-crisis Highs, Says UBS
The latest UBS Business Jet Market Index is now at 51, 12 percent higher from the previous survey and the fourth consecutive monthly increase,
Bizav Flying Up in North America, but Part 91 Lags
Business aircraft activity inched up 1.4 percent year-over-year last month in North America, according to TraqPak from Argus International.
Aircraft
Dassault Falcon Sales, Deliveries Fall in 'Difficult Market'
Net orders for Dassault Falcons stood at 21 aircraft last year, down from 25 in 2015 and 67 in 2014.
Aircraft
Broker: Used G650 Inventory Declines, along with Prices
Over the past two quarters, G650/650ER supply has decreased to 12 aircraft for sale, representing just 5.4 percent of the fleet.
Maintenance and Modifications
Tamarack Wins FAA, EASA Nods for CJ Active Winglet
Winglet system includes a wingtip extension and winglet, as well as load-alleviation technology.
Analysts: Bizjet Deliveries Down in 2016, Flat in 2017
Estimates call for 661 new business jet deliveries last year, down from 718 actual shipments in 2015, with 2017 expected to be “flat relative to 2016.”
