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

Barrington Irving, the founder and CEO of Flying Experience and The Flying Classroom, detailed&nbsp;plans for a new aviation technical training center today at the NBAA Regional Forum at Miami-Opa locka Executive Airport (KOPF). The Oliver G. Gilbert III Innovation Lab, named after the current Miami-Dade board of county commissioners chairman, is set to open this summer at KOPF.
The goal of the facility is to help students gain technical skills that enable them to have careers in business aviation, but which are also transferable to other fields. Irving told&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;that technical training at the lab will include line service skills such as tanker and tug operation, GPU utilization, lav servicing, and aircraft marshalling, as well as advanced remote pilot operations and aircraft maintenance.
During the reveal&nbsp;this morning, Gilbert handed Irving a check from the county for $100,000 to help fund both the new lab and the Business Aviation Training Center <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2022-11-03/barrington-irving-launching-bizav-training-center">announced at NBAA 2022</a>. The latter facility, set to open in 2027 on a four-acre lot near KOPF, is being developed under a partnership with NBAA, Miami-Dade County, Miami-Dade Aviation Department, Atlantic Aviation, and Bombardier. Further, Gilbert said Signature Flight Support at Miami International Airport (KMIA) will donate five cents for every gallon of fuel sold to help fund Irving’s training facilities.

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

New Aviation Training Lab in South Florida Aims To Address Skills Gap

An aviation technical training lab set to open at Miami-Opa locka Executive Airport this summer will teach MRO and FBO skills.

Aviation Training Lab To Address MRO/FBO Skills Gap

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Curt Epstein

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.

Company won an RFP at Central Wyoming Airport

California FBO Five Rivers Expands Footprint to Wyoming

The 26,510 sq ft of space brings the facility to more than 100,000 sq ft of hangars

Northern California FBO Expands with Hangar Purchase

Facility is company’s first in the Kingdom, with more on the way

Universal Aviation Begins Operations in Saudi Arabia

It will join the company’s location at Nashville International Airport

Atlantic Aviation Starts Work on Second Nashville FBO

KKR purchased the FBO chain in 2021

Apollo Funds Acquires Major Stake in Atlantic Aviation

Spring City Aviation now has four FBOs in the Badger State

Wisconsin FBO Chain Expands with Janesville Purchase

Work will begin on the Boulder City facility by the end of the year

Developer Gets Lease for Vegas-area Hangar Complex

The facility pays tribute to the airfield’s WWII service

Pilot Steps In To Operate Kansas FBO

More In FBOs