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

Eurocopter announced yesterday that it will upgrade the American Eurocopter plant in Columbus, Miss., to accommodate final assembly of the AS350, which it said is the top-selling civil helicopter in the U.S. market. AS350 production is expected to start at the plant in the fourth quarter of next year and will ramp up to 60 of the light single-engine helicopters annually by 2016.


The plan was developed as a way to offset the impact of the reduction in production of UH-72A Lakota helicopters at the Mississippi facility, as well as “to help provide a boost to sales in the U.S. market, especially with government and law enforcement agencies,” Eurocopter said.


“North America is the largest light helicopter market in the world for Eurocopter, and this new assembly line supports our industrial strategy by manufacturing the preferred AS350, ‘Made in the USA,’ in close proximity to our customers,” said Eurocopter global supply chain executive vice president Joseph Saporito. “This decision further supports our investments that have developed reliable and efficient local industrial capabilities in a market with strong expected growth.”


The Columbus plant is American Eurocopter’s second location aside from its headquarters in Grand Prairie, Texas.

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

Eurocopter To Assemble AS350s in Mississippi

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Jessica Reed

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

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.

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.

HUMS will enable in-flight exceedance detection and immediate alerting functionality

Skytrac and Sikorsky Partner on Next-gen HUMS for S-92s

Charles Alcock

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

Helicopter has been used for patient transfer missions in British Columbia

Helijet Gifts S-76A for Medical Flights in Ukraine 

Amy Wilder

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.

Fire season activity up 20% over last year

Spanish Super Pumas Log 437 Hours Battling Chile Fires

Austrian operator signed an order during the Aero Friedrichshafen show in Germany

Kitz-Air Becomes Latest Bell 412EPX Customer in Europe

Matt Thurber

Agreement enjoins civil defendants from illegal activities for which Hansen was convicted

Settlement Reached in Hansen Helicopters Case

Pioneering liftoff took place in Bromont, Québec

Unither Achieves First Hydrogen-powered Helicopter Flight

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.

The venerable helicopter manufacturer is looking at expanding its portfolio.

Sikorsky’s Blown Wing Aircraft Gives Glimpse of Future Hybrid-electric Technology

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 In Rotorcraft