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
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.
Annual JetNet iQ Summit Lands in New York City in June
Line-up includes business aircraft OEM leaders, aircraft sales and finance experts, Wall Street aerospace analysts, aircraft operators and more.
NATA To Honor Pistole, Koranda with Industry Awards
Former TSA head John Pistole to get 2015 William A. “Bill” Ong Memorial Award, while long-time NATA employee Amy Koranda to get Distinguised Service Award.
Aircraft
First Poland-based Learjet 75 Handed Over
Twinjet sports Garmin G5000 integrated avionics, redesigned winglets and more efficient Honeywell TFE731-40BR engines.
Safety
IBAC Acquires Business Aviation Safety Data Firm
Will continue work of Robert E. Breiling Associations to to provide information on continuous safety improvement of global busines aviation industry.
NBAA Small Aircraft Exemption Extended Another Year
Allows operators of aircraft weighing 12,500 pounds or less to take advantage of flexibility usually offered to operators of larger, turbine aircraft.
Maintenance and Modifications
Dassault Falcon Service Performs First 7X Major Inspection
Inspection carried out at DFS Paris Le Bourget included renovating interior, repainting exterior and installing satcom/wifi system.
Collins Intros Spanish-language Version of Vector SMS
New version allows flight departments in Latin America to implement a safety management system solution in their native language.
Charter & Fractional
Online Charter Broker Victor Expands to U.S.
Company also launched iOS app that offers real-time charter pricing, aircraft/crew specifics, side-by-side jet comparisons and instant booking.
FBOs
Eagle Creek To Acquire Montgomery Aviation FBO/MROs
Eagle Creek Aviation Services reached an agreement this week to acquire Montgomery Aviation’s three FBO/MROs in Indiana.
Astronomer Employs Trio of Falcons To View Solar Eclipse
Xavier Jubier coordinated a flight of three Dassult Falcon 7Xs above the Atlantic Ocean, near the Faroe Islands, on the same trajectory as the eclipse.
Safety
Global Aerospace Subsidizing Upset Recovery Training
Aviation insurer subsidizing 25 percent of the cost per pilot to customers who complete Calspan’s advanced maneuvering and upset recovery training in 2015.
Aircraft
Daher Opens New North American TBM Headquarters in Pompano Beach
Building includes two hangars for the TBM Service Center that can accommodate eight aircraft simultaneously and storage for spare parts inventory.
Avionics
KaiserAir Fans 1/A Solution for GIV Gets FAA Nod
Fans is currently required for North Atlantic operations between FL350 and FL390, though it eventually will be expanded to cover more altitudes.
Avionics
Inmarsat, Honeywell Complete High-speed Data Tests
Team was able to demonstrate that the high-speed GX aviation network can support multiple file transfers and video streaming.
Accidents
Loss of Control In Flight, Runway Excursions Are Top Bizav Safety Concerns
Other include airspace complexities; birds and wildlife; distraction and technology management; fatigue; and ground handling collisions.
Avionics
FAA: 10,000 Aircraft in U.S. Now Have ADS-B
ADS-B equipage offers enhanced surveillance, better situational awareness and free in-cockpit weather and traffic.
Engines
GE Honda Wins FAA Production Certificate for HF120 Engine
Latest certification means that its Burlington, N.C. facility demonstrated the repeated ability to build HF120s to type-design specifications.
Aircraft
VistaJet Transitions to All Challenger and Global Fleet, Plots U.S. Expansion
Company retired its last remaining Learjet 60—the aircraft type that its started with in 2004.
Charter & Fractional
PlaneSense Places Order for Up To Five Nextant 400XTis
Order propels the company into the jet market, with the first 400XTi to come on property in June and the second in the fourth quarter.
Avionics
Helicopter Features Added to Garmin Pilot iOS
New features includes helicopter route charts and identification/documentation of the highest obstacles along flight paths.
Maintenance and Modifications
JSSI Seeks To Cover More Helicopters
Independent provider of hourly cost maintenance programs recommits to helicopter market.
Avionics
Astronautics Demos Next-gen Helo Avionics
Company showing new helicopter avionics platform that will have synthetic vision and terrain awareness capabilities.
Rotorcraft
Bell Helicopter Adds Second Jet Ranger X to Test Fleet
Since fligth testing began in November, the helicopter program has quickly progressed, performing additional tests and numerous practice autorotations,
