Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;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&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;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.

Online Editor

Chad Trautvetter

Flexjet and Qatar Executive quickly lined up to be the launch customers for the new Gulfstream G500, which was <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/2014-10-14/new-gulfstreams-deliver-more-range-and-cabin-comfort">revealed this morning alongside its larger G600 sibling</a> during a ceremony at the aircraft manufacturer’s Savannah, Ga. headquarters. Qatar signed a memorandum of understanding today for up to 20 Gulfstreams, while Flexjet placed an order for 50 aircraft, including options.
Fractional provider Flexjet placed a firm order for 22 Gulfstreams—10 G450s, six G650s and six G500s—and options for 28 more. Deliveries of the G450s will start in the middle of next year, with the G650s following in mid-2016 and the G500s in 2018. Notably, this marks the first non-Bombardier order for Flexjet. In addition, the two companies also inked an agreement under which Gulfstream will maintain the Flexjet Gulfstream fleet over the next 10 years.
Meanwhile, the commitment from Qatar is for a mix of G500s and G650s that would allow the Doha-based private jet division of Qatar Airways to “keep pace with future strategic growth plans,” according to company CEO Akbar Al Baker. Qatar Executive currently has a fleet of seven business jets, but he noted that “demand is surging high and we must keep pace” by adding aircraft. Al Baker chose the two Gulfstream models for their “innovation, performance and design elements.”
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Values of these orders were not available at press time.

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