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
Aircraft
Cessna Ramps Up Citation X Elite Program, Mulls Expansion to Other Citations
As part of the refurbishment, the aircraft are stripped, repainted and corrosion-proofed, and new wheels, brakes and tires are installed.
Engines
PW800 Engines for G500/G600 Get Transport Canada Nod
During testing, the PW800 engines logged more than 3,300 hours, including more than 350 flight hours on P&WC's Boeing 747SP flying testbed.
Safety
Aviation Safety Question of the Week (Feb. 16, 2015)
What is reported to be the most common cause of aircraft engine failure?
FBOs
Jet Aviation Raises $20K for Boys & Girls Clubs at La Bella Macchina
Event attracted 1,000 guests to view about a dozen business aircraft and more than 100 Ferraris.
JetNet: Used Bizjet Transactions Set New Record in 2014
There were 2,569 pre-owned business jet retail transactions last year, besting the previous peak of 2,181 in 2007.
Safety
Gulfstream Flight-test Unit Elevates IS-BAO Status
Department has 43 pilots who conduct more than 2,200 annual test flights.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
EBACE 2015 To Feature Unmanned Aircraft Zone
The UAS zone will provide a venue for exhibitors to do live demonstrations of their products in a 12m-by-12m netted pavilion.
Eurozone Crisis, Ukraine Weigh on European Bizav Flying
European business aircraft activity dropped last month by 5.8 percent from a year ago to 49,929 flights, according to WingX Advance.
Training and Workforce
FlightSafety To Add Fourth Gulfstream G650 Simulator
Will be installed at the company's learning center in Wilmington, Delaware, early next year.
Charter & Fractional
NetJets Europe Lands London City OK for Phenom 300s
More than 53 percent of NetJets' European customer base comes from the London finance sector, making the London City approvals essential.
Safety
Aviation Safety Question of the Week (Feb. 9, 2015)
Which components are typically used in certification of a turbojet aircraft to determine the accelerate-stop distance during takeoff?
Arizona Bizav Group To Host 14th Golf Benefit
Rounds of golf will be followed by a dinner and awards banquet that includes a raffle, silent auction and live auction.
Charter & Fractional
Wyvern Elevates Wingman Program with IS-BAO Standards
The company delevloped the Wingman Standard in 1994 to establish air charter aviation safety parameters that exceeded regulations.
Gulfstream G650, Embraer Legacy 500 Nominated for 2014 Collier Trophy
Trophy awarded annually “for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America.”
Aircraft
Nesterov To Sell, Service Pilatus PC-12s in Russia
Eugene Okladnikov, general director of Nesterov Aviation, said the Russian market holds “great opportunity” for the turboprop single.
Safety
Rockwell Collins, NOAA Expand Airborne Weather Observation Research
Research will now expand to include coverage over sparse areas of the U.S., allowing the NWS to get complete weather data for the entire country.
Avionics
Honeywell Flight Testing Voice Control on the Flight Deck
Voice recognition will be a huge advancement in the cockpit because speech can eliminate many manual steps required to execute a command.
Business Aircraft Flying in U.S. and Canada Soars in 2014
Activity in all four quarters grew year-over-year, with the fourth quarter posting a 2.8-percent gain.
Safety
Aviation Safety Question of the Week (Feb. 2, 2015)
Which of the following is true regarding the operation of aircraft flight controls at or below maneuvering speed (VA)?
Charter & Fractional
NetJets To Implement Flight Operational Quality Assurance Program
NetJets is poised to become the first U.S. fractional aircraft operator implement FOQA program, which uses flight recorder data to improve safety.
Aircraft
Jet Deliveries, Finances Rise at Textron Aviation
Business jet deliveries at Textron Aviation division Cessna Aircraft climbed to 159 Citations last year, a 12-percent increase over 2013.
Aircraft
Gulfstream Deliveries, Sales Continue Ascent
Last year, Gulfstream delivered 150 outfitted business jets, six above that in 2013.
Safety
Aviation Safety Question of the Week (Jan. 26, 2015)
This week's question looks at flaps and their effect on an airplane's angle of attack
Charter & Fractional
Sentient Jet Sales, Revenues Soar in 2014
It experienced a 25-percent surge in year-over-year sales, to $214 million, and the $178 million in revenues for the year was a 17-percent bump over 2013.
J.P.Morgan Expects Muted Optimism in 2015 Bizjet Guidance
Firm believes Textron, parent of Cessna Aircraft and Beechcraft, has the most leverage in the ongoing economic recovery in the U.S.
Maintenance and Modifications
Jet Aviation Dubai Wins EASA Approval for G650 Mx
Facility is an authorized service center for Gulfstreams and the Rolls-Royce BR725-series engines that power the G650 and G550.
Avionics
Garmin Offers Up To $50K in Rebates for G1000 King Air Retrofits
G1000 retrofit provides operators with enhanced capabilities that minimize pilot workload, increase situational awareness and provide NextGen capabilities.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
San Marino Aircraft Registry Ratifies Cape Town Treaty
Ratification gives confidence to banks and leasing companies.
Charter & Fractional
Air Charter Association Publishes Broker Best Practices
Document addresses contract language, payments, agency relationships, waivers of subrogation, flight irregularities and cancellation, among other things.
