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

Over the past year, SimCom staff at the company's four pilot training locations have seen a clear “rightsizing” trend among its customers. “Rightsizing is the process of more closely matching the capabilities and size of the airplane to the missions being flown,” company CEO Wally David said. “Before the economic realities in today’s marketplace, it was not uncommon for a large jet to be used for a 300-mile trip. Pilots now tell us a smaller jet, a turboprop or in some cases a piston twin is being used for those trips instead.” A refocus on matching the aircraft to the mission has led to a resurgence in the use of turboprops, he noted. “Operators say their twin- and single-engine turboprops are just hard to beat on trips up to 750 miles or so. As a result, we are seeing training activity in our turboprop simulators on the increase. We think the future of this category will remain strong and so we are increasing the number of turboprop simulators and training courses we offer.”

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

SimCom: Flight Departments ‘Rightsizing’ Aircraft

Flight departments are rightsizing their aircraft equipment.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Amy Wilder

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

NASA, USAF speakers address culture and decisionmaking

Jet Linx Grounds Fleet for Annual Safety Summit

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Business aviation salary increases less than in recent years but were still twice the national average

NBAA Survey Reveals Bizav Pilot Salary Increases Easing

Curt Epstein

The annual bizav showcase will be in Las Vegas in October

NBAA Promises Inspiration at BACE 2025

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

HM Aerospace could take up to 30 of the aircraft to train pilots

Malaysian Flight School Orders VoltAero's Cassio 330

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Simulators expands partnerships with Embraer, Cebu Pacific

CAE Adding Simulators in Madrid, the Philippines

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

More than 70 teams joined the 2025 design competition

High School Team in Texas Takes First in GAMA Challenge

Companies need to drive 30% to 40% more efficiency with existing workforce

Study: A&D at Inflection Point In Face of Retention Issues

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

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