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

Cessna Aircraft and Bell Helicopter parent company Textron reported first-quarter revenues of $2.9 billion yesterday, up 15.2 percent from a year ago, and $247 million in manufacturing profits, an $80 million increase attributable largely to Bell. While quarterly revenues at Cessna increased by $113 million year-over-year, to $669 million, the division still recorded a loss of $6 million, though the red ink was shallower than the $38 million loss in last year’s first quarter. At Bell, first-quarter revenues soared to $994 million, up $245 million from a year ago, and profit increased by $54 million to $145 million.


Cessna delivered 38 business jets in the quarter, seven more than it did a year ago. However, new aircraft sales did not keep pace with deliveries, with the company logging a 0.75 book-to-bill ratio. Of those sales, most were for jets larger than the CJ4, said Textron chairman and CEO Scott Donnelly, suggesting that light jet sales are still depressed. He also noted that pricing remains “difficult.” Cessna’s backlog as of March 31 was $1.7 billion, down $167 million from December 31.


Bell delivered 30 civil helicopters in the quarter, doubling from the 15 shipped in last year’s first quarter. According to Donnelly, Bell’s segment profit increased thanks to the higher volume and mix of civil aircraft. The helicopter manufacturer’s backlog at the end of the first quarter was $7.1 billion, down $213 million from the end of last year.

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

At Textron, Bell Surges while Cessna Struggles

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

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

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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.

Powercor deploys Bell 407GXi rotorcraft in Australia

Aerial Inspections Make the Difference in Fighting Bushfires

Matt Thurber

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

Loft Dynamics device makes emergency training much more realistic 

Los Angeles Police Dept Puts VR Simulator to Work

Traffic jams make it worthwhile for people to fly on short helicopter charter flights

Sweet Helicopters Keeps Indianapolis 500 Fans Moving

Facility will serve regional customers and improve the OEM’s efficiency

Airbus Helicopters Opens Niagara Distribution Center

Brazil’s energy market is a strong driver of rotorcraft activity in LATAM

Rotortrade Sees Growth in Latin American Helo Market

Hanneke Weitering

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Contender to replace the branch's Airbus UH-72 Lakota trainers

Robinson Reveals R66 for Army Helicopter Training

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Universal Vulkaan Aviation has now ordered seven VIP helicopters

Leonardo’s Indian Distributor UVA Orders Two AW169s

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.

More In Rotorcraft