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
Rotorcraft
700th R66 Rolls Off Production Line
The 700th model is equipped with pop-out floats, an option approved by EASA in October.
Charter & Fractional
NetJets Pilots Approve New Contract
The ratification culminated more than two years of often contentious contract negotiations.
Aircraft
Zetta Jet Signs Deal for Five Bombardier Global 6000s
The agreement, worth a potential $318 million, is a firm order for one Global 6000 and options for four more of the ultra-long-range jets.
Aircraft
Flexjet Outlines How Supersonic AS2s Will Be Integrated
AS2s will be part of Flexjet's Global Access program and fly international city pairs.
Aircraft
Embraer Exec Jets Delivers First Phenom 100E in China
Light jet will be operated by Wanfeng Aviation, a subsidiary of the Wanfeng Auto Holding Group, for business passenger travel.
Aircraft
Daher Delivers 100th TBM 900 Turboprop Single
Milestone TBM 900 was handed over to Dale Schneider, a North Carolina businessman and 3,000-hour-TT airplane and helicopter pilot.
Accidents
Actor Morgan Freeman Unhurt in SJ30 Incident
Reports indicate that one of the SJ30’s tires blew shortly after takeoff from Fletcher Field in Clarksdale, Mississippi, at 3:04 p.m.
Aircraft
Three Years On, Gulfstream G650 Fleet Nears 150
Some 145 of the ultra-long-range business jets—105 G650s and 40 G650ERs—are currently flying.
Safety
Groups Stress Importance of Pilot Mental Health Fitness
Organizations said safe pilot performance during an entire career should be the “common aim” of professional pilots, aeromedical examiners and authorities.
Maintenance and Modifications
GlobalParts.aero Now Parts Source for Legacy Learjets
Approximately 2,000 of these Learjet models were produced from the 1960s into the early 2000s, with the majority still in service.
Avionics
Cobham Aviator 200S Reaches First Call Milestone
The 200S is designed as the first Inmarsat Class 4 terminal and allows for simultaneous transmission of safety and non-safety services on the same channel.
Charter & Fractional
Mac Air Plans Regional Frax Program with Hawker 1000s
Maine Aviation Aircraft Maintenance will maintain the fleet, while Maine Aviation Aircraft Charter will manage and operate the aircraft.
Safety
Study Cites 'Significant Threat' of Toy Drones to Manned Aircraft
New study from Aero Kinetics examines what could happen when a collision occurs between a toy drone and manned aircraft.
Charity Event Raises $505,000 To Support CAN
CAN fundraiser surpasses half million dollars for the first time.
Avionics
Sandel Donates $175K Avilon King Air Panel to CAN
The donation is the largest-to-date for the charity that uses available seats on business aircraft flights to transport cancer victims to treatment.
Aircraft
Aerion Eyes U.S. Coasts for AS2 Manufacturing
Company expects to announce the location of the assembly site for its supersonic business jet in the first half of 2016.
Aircraft
Gulfstream G500 Arrives in Vegas for World Debut
With test pilots Scott Martin and Scott Evans at the controls, new twinjet flew the 1,630-nm trip from Savannah, Ga., in 4 hours 36 minutes.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Honeywell Offers Phased Analog-to-Digital Cabin Management System Upgrade
Upgrade path applies to the more than 1,600 operators with C Series-equipped aircraft and integrates new, digital Ovation Select components.
Aircraft
Embraer Executive Jets Celebrates 10 Years
When the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer established the executive jets division, its goal was to “be a major player” in the business jet OEM market.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Embraer Engineering Center Rapid Prototypes New Aircraft Interiors
Company facility in Melbourne, Fla., houses a laboratory for the development and testing of materials and interior components.
Engines
Marenco, Honeywell Sign Engine Agreement for SKYe Helo
This marks the first production agreement for the new Honeywell HTS900 turboshaft.
Still Stuck in Rut, Euro Bizav Flying Falls 3.4%
Business jet flights, which accounted for 59 percent of all business aviation activity last month in Europe, retreated by 5 percent year-over-year.
TRU ProFlight Opens Florida Training Center
New facility now has full-motion Citation CJ3 and King Air 350i/250 Fusion devices, but could house up to 12 simulators by 2019.
FBOs
NATA, FBO Partners Team on Industry Training
First course offered by NATA and FBO Partners—“The Essentials of Hangar Subleasing: From Risk to Revenue”—is scheduled to be out in May.
Maintenance and Modifications
Meridian Jet Center Gets FAA OK for G200/Galaxy Repairs
Meridian Jet Center is an FAA-approved Part 145 certified repair station and has similar certification from the EASA.
Aircraft
Gulfstream Opens Parts Distribution Center in Dubai
Dubai South facility will have approximately $10 million in Gulfstream parts and materials inventory by year-end.
Report: Bizav Poised for 'Significant' Growth in Africa
The African business jet fleet is the oldest in the world, with an average age of more than 19 years.
JSSI Index: Bizav Flying Up 4.3 Percent in 3Q
Flying soared in Africa and Central America—up 12.5 percent and 12.9 percent, respectively—while North America saw a 1.7-percent gain.
Aircraft
Transport Canada Gives Nod to Challenger 650
Customer deliveries are expected to start by year-end.
Charter & Fractional
Rectrix Now Sole FBO at KBAF after Buying Five Star Jet
Latest acquisition builds on Rectrix's current presence in Westfield and will allow for the expansion of its maintenance and GA handling services there.
