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
Airports
Flexjet Opens Private Terminal in Naples, Florida
Opening is the first of several planned Flexjet-exclusive private terminals at airports where the fractional provider experiences the greatest demand.
Maintenance and Modifications
Gulfstream Logs 5,000th Airborne Support Flight
The airborne unit has accumulated more than 16,600 flight hours and 8 million nautical miles since its inception in May 2002.
Rotorcraft
Enstrom TH180 Prototype Damaged in Hard Landing
The test pilot walked away and was evaluated at a local hospital for minor injuries.
Aircraft
Flaris Preps To Fly Conforming LAR 1 Jet this Spring
Polish company expects to begin engine testing on the five-seat single-engine jet later this month in anticipation of first flight this spring.
Maintenance and Modifications
Bombardier Promotes Milligan to Bizjet Service Sales v-p
He now oversees sales for service centers, parts services, component repair/overhaul and smart services, as well as sales support and service planning.
U.S. Bizav Flying Off To a Roaring Start This Year
Traffic climbed 3 percent in January, and projections call for a 9.1-percent YOY increase this month and a 5-percent rise during the first quarter.
ATC
NBAA Chief: Don't Hand U.S. ATC Monopoly To Airlines
NBAA supports a “third way forward" that would implement targeted solutions to identified problems to ensure America’s aviation system remains on top.
Aircraft
Quest Aircraft Gears Up for More Growth
Quest Aircraft delivered 32 Kodiak 100 turboprop singles last year, two more than in 2014.
Aircraft
After Loss of Pino, XTI Taps Johnson as Interim CEO
Johnson, who formerly was the president and COO at Cessna, will thus oversee the continued development of XTI’s TriFan 600.
Bizav Flying in Europe Gets Off To Bad Start in 2016
Flights of business jets and pistons were each down 5 percent from a year ago, while turboprops declined 1.5 percent.
Aircraft
HondaJet Nominated for 2015 Collier Trophy
The recently FAA-certified HondaJet was likely chosen for its unique over-the-wing mounted engines.
Environment
ICAO Committee Finalizing Aircraft Emissions Standards
Full aircraft emissions scheme will then be considered by all 191 ICAO member states at the UN aviation agency’s 39th Assembly in late September.
Maintenance and Modifications
Jet Aviation St. Louis Upgrades Aircraft Paint Shop
New controls for climate, air quality and final finish help ensure customers get a flawless, high-gloss paint finish.
Safety
Fractional Jet Pilots Needed for Academic Research
Project is investigating why fractional jet pilots have achieved a great safety record despite the operational challenges they face.
Aircraft
Collins Fusion Avionics Upgrade STC'd for King Air 350
Upgrade immediately readies the aircraft for the future with simple airspace mandate compliance and essential capabilities for NextGen flying.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Global Jet Completes Buy of GE Capital Bizjet Portfolio
Outstanding part of the portfolio covered some 30 aircraft based in Mexico and Brazil.
Aircraft
Jackie Chan Takes Delivery of First Legacy 500 in China
Chan is also Embraer Executive Jet’s brand ambassador and has owned and operated a Chinese-registered Legacy 650 since 2012.
Aircraft
Comlux Orders Trio of New Airbus ACJ320neos
Bizleiners will be fitted with CFM Engines and are slated to be delivered green starting in 2019.
Regulations and Government
Bolen: Bizav Access to Airspace, Airports Under Threat
Bolen fears ATC privatization would cede control of airspace and airport access to the airlines, limiting business aviation's access.
Rotorcraft
Bell Helicopter in Hover This Year, Growth Mode in 2017
Bell 505 JetRangerX and 525 Relentless will boost Bell Helicopter next year, but shipments and revenues this year are expected to be flat.
Aircraft
Textron Aviation Poised for Growth in 2016
Citation deliveries could near 200 in 2016, while revenues are projected to climb to $5.1 billion.
Aircraft
G450/550 Production Cut as Gulfstream Moves to G500/600
Shipments of “green” Gulfstreams will decrease by about 6 percent this year, though revenues are expected to climb thanks to a better mix.
Maintenance and Modifications
Textron Aviation Launches 1Call for Immediate Support
Team oversees every step of a maintenance event using displays that tracks calls, air response aircraft and mobile service units through issue resolution.
Security
Digital Security Should Be on Bizav Operators' Radar
Public Wi-Fi, email and social media are the weakest links in the security chain
Rotorcraft
Helo Cockpit Research Study Uses Eye-tracking Tech
Twenty-six pilots participated in the first phase of observational study, which seeks to improve pilot performance in the cockpit.
Training and Workforce
Pair of FlightSafety Cessna Caravan Sims Get FAA Nod
The simulators, housed at comapny's Wichita East learning center, are equipped with Garmin G1000 and Garmin G600 avionics.
Safety
NIAR Opens Aircraft Lightning Test Lab
Direct effects of lightning testing is required for many aircraft components and parts, as well as in applications such as unmanned aerial systems.
Training and Workforce
Kerr Wins Top NBAA S&D Award, Others Get Scholarships
Dorette Kerr worked to expand training opportunities to NBAA Schedulers & Dispatcher members.
FBOs
Growing Paragon Network Eyes Latin America
Services offered by Paragon include marketing, brand awareness, sales and economies of scale.
FlightWorx Showcases New Travel Solutions Services
TravelWorx offers business aircraft crews and personnel with positioning flights via the airlines, hotel accommodations and concierge services
