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
SkyVector Adds FAA Flight Plan Filing Capability
Preferred and recently-filed routes will also be available and suggested to users before filing.
Aircraft
Electric Reversible Propeller STC'd for Aviat Husky
Available for retrofit or as a factory option, the $30,000 system is being demonstrated by the company on a float-equipped Husky this week.
Aircraft
Cessna Caravan Gets New Interior, Celebrates 30 Years
The new interiors, which improve cabin comfort and functionality, are immediately available and customer deliveries have begun.
Aircraft
Mooney Reveals M10 to U.S. Market
M10T is a fixed-gear, composite trainer; M10J has more luxury, amenities and a higher-horsepower engine.
Engines
Superior Developing Gemini Diesel Aircraft Engines
The 100-hp Gemini 100, intended for light sport aircraft, will be the first in the new engine family to be fielded by Superior.
Aircraft
New Piper M-Class Makes Public Debut
Company is displaying production copies of the M350 and M500 at its static display, while the M600 is being represented in mockup form
Aircraft
One Aviation Provided 'Exit Strategy' for Sikorsky
Eclipse also decided to bring Eclipse 550 fuselage and tail production in-house from Sikorsky subsidiary PZL Mielec.
Maintenance and Modifications
Scheme Designers Again Holds Scavenger Hunt at SNF
The grand prize, a custom desktop aircraft model worth more than $500, will be awarded to the contestant with the most points.
Aircraft
Avidyne Touchscreens Selected for Sun Flyer Trainer
All-electric trainer aircraft to include low-power, high-fidelity touchscreen displays from Avidyne.
FBOs
Signature Flight Support Hosts Wx Center at SNF 2015
Company partnering with SkyVector to provide flight planning, weather and flight-plan filing for attendees at Sun 'n' Fun Fly-In.
Avionics
Aspen Avionics Cut Prices for Genav ADS-B IN/OUT Units
Both units can receive ADS-B subscription-free weather and traffic, as well as meets the ADS-B OUT mandate below 18,000 feet.
Aircraft
Sun 'n' Fun Airshow Kicks Off in Florida
More than 500 exhibitors are booked this year and the number of aircraft coming in for the event is estimated at 10,000, ranging from ultralights to jets.
Aircraft
SubSonex Jet To Make Worldwide Debut at SNF 2015
Personal jet will take part in the afternoon aerial display on the opening and closing days of the show
Charter & Fractional
‘Gray Market,’ Austerity Hobbling Air Charter Operators in China
One unidentified Chinese charter operator’s business is down 40- to 50 percent because of the situation.
Aircraft
Sparkle Roll To Sell Aerion AS2 Supersonic Bizjet in Greater China
Sparkle Roll and Aerion signed an agreement this week in Shanghai, at ABACE 2015.
Training and Workforce
Civil Aviation University of China Opts for FlightSafety King Air Simulator
Level-D-qualified King Air C90GTx full-motion simulator to be used for ab initio pilot training at college.
Charter & Fractional
NetJets China Launches Prepaid Jet Card
Card for China-based travelers offers access to NetJets services in mainland China connecting the region with the NetJets global fleet.
FBOs
Traffic Climbing At TAG Farnborough Airport
The airport reports receiving more large-cabin business jets and in the first quarter it experienced a 27-percent increase in bizliner movements.
Aircraft
Analyst Expects China Bizav Market To Perk Up In 2016
In the short time since bizjets were introduced to China, market has already experienced a full cycle from peak to today’s trough.
Pilatus Tops $1B in Revenues for Second Year in a Row
2014 revenues up 16 percent year-over-year, while earnings climbed 30 percent.
Avionics
Gogo Unveils ATG 1000 for Light Bizjets, Turboprops
$35,000 (plus installation) system enables e-mail with attachments and calling and texting with passengers’ own smartphones and mobile numbers.
Avionics
Universal Teams with Collins on Integrated ADS-B
Solution pairs Collins TDR-94(D) mode-S transponder with Universal’s SBAS-Flight Management System for ADS-B Out, LPV and datalink capabilities.
Maintenance and Modifications
Heli-One Boundary Bay Gets Korean Mx Approval
Facility granted approval for Bell 212/412, AgustaWestland AW139 and Sikorsky S-61 and S-76 helicopters, as well GE CT-58 and P&WC PT6 engines.
Maintenance and Modifications
Advent Aerospace Spins Off Aircraft Systems Subsidiary
The new company, Advent Aircraft Systems, was founded in 2010 to certify and produce components and systems for aircraft.
WingX: European Bizav Traffic Continues Slump in March
Resurgence of charter activity in France, UK and Spain is an "encouraging sign," however.
Aircraft
Second Dassault Falcon 8X Joins Flight-test Fleet
After initial checks of the fly-by-wire controls and engines, pilots took the aircraft to 43,000 feet and Mach 0.80 for performance tests.
Aircraft
Embraer Delivers 100th U.S.-made Phenom to NetJets
Milestone aircraft also marked the 40th handover of a Signature Series Phenom 300 to the fractional aircraft provider.
Environment
Bizav Urged To Submit Emissions-reduction Initiatives
Air Transport Action Group will showcase 100 "most enterprising, innovative, or interesting case studies” to reduce aircraft CO2 emissions.
Avionics
Jet Aviation Gets EASA Nod for Tcas 7.1 Upgrade
Aircraft equipped with TCAS II version 7.0 software and operating in EU airspace have until December 1 to upgrade to version 7.1.
Rotorcraft
Prince William Begins Day Job as Civil Helo Pilot
Former Royal Air Force search-and-rescue helicopter pilot will start flying missions this summer for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
