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

NBAA staff members met with officials at the Italian embassy in Washington last week to explain the negative effect that a recently enacted business aircraft tax could have on commerce between Italy and the U.S. The <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aviation-international-news/2012-02-04/cash-strapped-italy-slaps-tax-bizjets">new tax</a>, which imposes a levy on all civil aircraft that spend more than 48 hours on the ground in Italy, could total more than $393,630 annually for aircraft weighing more than 22,046 pounds, NBAA said.


“The tax was originally intended to apply to Italian-registered aircraft only. But then officials became concerned that Italian aircraft owners would re-register their airplanes in other countries,” said NBAA operations service group project manager Scott O’Brien. “So they applied it to all aircraft, regardless of nationality.”


As a result of the new civil aviation tax, the Olbia business terminal in Sardinia has experienced significant cancellations, according to NBAA research, and handlers are reporting a decrease in activity at Florence and Venice. Meanwhile, Milan airport officials said business aircraft are repositioning to nearby countries as a direct result of Italy’s new tax.


NBAA has suggested a number of possible solutions to lessen the impact of the aviation tax, including extending the allowance period from 48 hours to 45 days or more. NBAA’s current advice to operators: “Don’t spend more than 48 hours on the ground in Italy right now…[and] document what time you do spend on the ground there.”

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

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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.

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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.

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

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News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

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News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

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