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

Business aircraft operations in the U.S., Caribbean and Canada jumped 5.3 percent year-over-year last month, thanks to solid across-the-board gains, according to the latest Argus Business Aircraft Activity report. The business aviation data firm expects the improvements to continue, predicting a 3.9 percent increase for this month.


Based on the Argus TraqPak IFR arrival and departure data, large-cabin jet flying surged 8.8 percent from a year ago, with midsize jet activity not far behind with a 7.7 percent increase. The lighter aircraft categories experienced smaller gains. Turboprop and light jet activity rose 3.3 percent and 2.9 percent, respectively.


Looking at the data by operator, Part 135 charter flying soared 11.3 percent from April 2016, while fractional activity logged 8.5 percent growth. Meanwhile, Part 91 flying increased 0.5 percent year-over-year.


Several double-digit gains were seen in individual categories. In fact, Part 135 midsize and large-cabin jet flying each recorded 20 percent gains from a year ago, while fractional turboprop and large-cabin jet activity climbed by 22.2 percent and 14 percent, respectively. Only Part 91 light jets posted a loss, falling 0.9 percent from last April.


Argus’ TraqPak data provides “flight-number-specific aircraft arrival and departure information on all IFR flights in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean.”

Argus: U.S. Bizav Flying Logs 5.3 Percent Gain in April

The business aviation data firm expects the improvements to continue, predicting a 3.9 percent increase for this month.

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