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
Bombardier Safety Standdown 2014 To Focus on Cockpit Distractions
Free seminars will be held in São Paulo, Brazil, on August 11 and in Wichita from October 6 to 9.
African Aviation Groups Team To Promote Bizav in Region
Alliance will promote business aviation “as an efficient and safe mode of transport across the continent of Africa.”
Minsheng’s Order for 60 Gulfstreams Adds to 2011 MoU
Minsheng now has orders for up to 110 Gulfstreams - a mix of G280s, G450s, G550s and G650s - worth an estimated $5.6 billion.
Regulations and Government
NBAA Welcomes Status Quo on EU-ETS until Next ICAO Assembly
The EC agreed last Monday to extend the “stop the clock” provision affecting non-European operators until fall 2016.
Argus, T3 Private Jets Asia Form Partnership
Relationship will increase the efficiency and timeliness of providing Argus’ aircraft operator audits and aviation services in Asia.
Aircraft
Composites Atlantic To Supply Composite Parts for Global 7000/8000 Horizontal Stabilizer
Company will ship parts to Bombardier’s plant in Belfast, N. Ireland, which is responsible for manufacturing horizontal stabilizers for Globals.
ATC
Aviation Groups Urge Congress To Fund Contract Towers in FY2015
$149 million was allocated for the contract tower program in Fiscal Year 2014.
Rotorcraft
Xinjiang Tianyun General Aviation Opts for Bell 407GX
Chinese company will use the helicopter for sightseeing tours, executive transport and agriculture support.
Regulations and Government
FAA Finishes ADS-B Ground Network
Installation of this radio network clears the way for air traffic controllers to begin using ADS-B to separate equipped aircraft.
Charter & Fractional
Executive AirShare’s Customer Base Soared 37% in 2013
Fractional expects this year to be even better based on its first-quarter growth during what is normally the company’s slowest season of the year.
ABACE Quickly Becomes Preeminent Asian Bizav Show
Shanghai show has attracted a record-breaking 187 exhibitors and 38 static-display aircraft.
Charter & Fractional
NetJets China Filling Manager Ranks as Launch Nears
Plans call to initially provide charter-management services.
Rotorcraft
Avion Pacific Racks Ups Helicopter and King Air Sales in China
Avion Pacific sold 16 helicopters last year and plans to add services to continue growing.
Dassault Rolls Out 250th Falcon 7X
The milestone trijet entered final assembly earlier this year and will fly to the Falcon completion center in Little Rock, Arkansas, in June.
In Just Two Years, ABACE Becomes Preeminent Asian Bizav Show
ABACE 2014 has attracted a record-breaking 187 exhibitors and 38 static-display aircraft.
Aircraft
Vulcanair Delivers First P68 Observer 2 In China
Vulcanair delivered the first P68 Observer 2 in China on March 17, just 12 days after the high-wing piston twin received CAAC approval.
China’s Appetite for Large Jets is Growing
China’s preference for larger, longer-range business jets will continue, according to market analyst Brian Foley.
Citation Latitude Flying Through Test Trials
The twinjet has already achieved its full performance envelope and completed ground vibration and flutter testing.
Chinese Agribusiness Firm Signs Deal for Beechcraft C90GTx
Beidahuang General Aviation plans to use the turboprop twin for personnel transport and aerial survey.
Famed Test Pilot Pete Reynolds Passes Away
He will be inducted into the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame, as originally scheduled.
Charter & Fractional
NetJets China Hires ‘Key’ Employees As Launch Nears
Arrangements are also being finalized to position two unspecified NetJets aircraft in China to support its charter business.
Cessna Citation Latitude Program Flies Right Along
In-development business jet has already achieved its full performance envelope is on schedule for certification in 2015.
NBAA Doubles Down on Shanghai Hongqiao for ABACE Show
NBAA and the Shanghai Airport Authority signed a deal at ABACE to keep the Asian business aviation show at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport until at least 2021.
China Bizav Fleet To Continue Growing at Fast Clip
Asian Sky Group expects high growth to continue in 2014 as the business jet market in Greater China develops and matures.
Cessna Logs Caravan Fleet Order from Chinese Company
Reignwood Group agreed to acquire the amphibian turboprop singles through the Cessna-Avic Shijiazhuang facility.
Maintenance and Modifications
Shanghai Hawker Pacific OK’d for Hawker 800 Repairs
Shanghai HP receives Hawker 800 MRO approvals and becomes Citation service center.
China’s CAAC OKs Cessna Citation XLS+
Cessna Aircraft received Civil Aviation Administration of China certification for the Citation XLS+, clearing the way for deliveries in China.
Shanghai To Be Home of ABACE until at Least 2021
The agreement doubles the life of the original five-year arrangement signed by the parties in June 2011.
Cessna Sells 10 Caravans to China Tourism Group Reignwood
Reignwood Group agreed to acquire the amphibian turboprop singles through the Cessna-AVIC Shijiazhuang facility.
With Beechcraft Deal Done, Textron Folds Cessna and Beech into Textron Aviation
The merged company forms the industry’s largest global service network of company-owned, authorized and mobile service solutions.
