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

Connectsix has introduced a subscription-based service, dubbed SayWxAir, for airports with its SayWeather automated weather advisory systems to provide up-to-the-minute weather data to pilots via text messaging and ForeFlight. While SayWeather provides advisory-only weather information, it provides live updates on demand&nbsp;at a fraction of the cost of certified AWOS systems (about $45,000 all-in).
SayWxAir costs airports $79 a month and adds several more ways to distribute SayWeather information beyond the click-to-transmit option over an airport’s common traffic advisory frequency. With SayWxAir, pilots can request METAR information from SayWeather-equipped airports via text by sending “M” followed by the airport ICAO code to 727-4SAYWX4. For Missouri’s Dexter Municipal Airport (KDXE), that would be “M KDXE.”&nbsp;
In addition, pilots can request threshold alert texts when variables such as visibility or wind&nbsp;reach a certain range. For example, to be alerted when winds at KDXE become less than 20 knots, text “KDXE w&lt;20” to the aforementioned number, and the system will monitor winds and send a text when that threshold is met. Airport operators can also receive SayWeather equipment failure notices via text.
Meanwhile, ForeFlight users can now view an airport’s SayWeather advisory data in the same manner they do for any ASOS/AWOS-equipped airport. But SayWxAir advisory METARs for EFBs are updated every 10 minutes instead of once per hour with most published METARs.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

SayWeather Adds Text, ForeFlight Aviation Weather Delivery Options

The new SayWxAir service adds on-demand weather information via text message and the ForeFlight electronic flight bag app.

SayWeather Adds Text, ForeFlight Delivery Options

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

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.

Deal adds MRO capabilities for oxygen and fire-suppression systems

Aerox Expands O2 Services with Omnigas Acquisition

Kerry Lynch

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.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

House T&I Committee Democrats highlight urgent need to prioritize FAA reauthorization implementation

Lawmakers Call For ‘Intense Focus’ on ATC Upgrades, Hiring

AmyWilder

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.

The SMS supports regulatory compliance for operators

NATA CS Launches Safety Management System with AI

Workshops will delve into regulatory requirements, managing risk, and using data

ACSF To Host SMS Workshops with Symposium

Charles Alcock

News and information about crew, passenger, aircraft and airport security issues.

New safety topics related to cybersecurity, ground handling, and VTOL aircraft

EASA Adds Tasks to European Plan for Aviation Safety 

Curt Epstein

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

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

Quick thinking and decisive action led to a peaceful conclusion

Hero Pilot Apprehends Teen Gunman at Arkansas Airport

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News, issues, personnel, equipment and developments about air traffic management.

Sun 'n Fun 2023

More In Safety

Aerox Expands O2 Services with Omnigas Acquisition

Deal adds MRO capabilities for oxygen and fire-suppression systems

Lawmakers Call For ‘Intense Focus’ on ATC Upgrades, Hiring

House T&I Committee Democrats highlight urgent need to prioritize FAA reauthorization implementation

NATA CS Launches Safety Management System with AI

The SMS supports regulatory compliance for operators

ACSF To Host SMS Workshops with Symposium

Workshops will delve into regulatory requirements, managing risk, and using data

EASA Adds Tasks to European Plan for Aviation Safety

New safety topics related to cybersecurity, ground handling, and VTOL aircraft

Hero Pilot Apprehends Teen Gunman at Arkansas Airport

Quick thinking and decisive action led to a peaceful conclusion

Aviation Orgs Pledge Safety Commitment, Urge Full Funding

Groups say NTSB, FAA, and controllers must have adequate resources to do their jobs

Colgan Air Flight 3407: How a Single Crash Sparked Unprecedented Reform

Multiple laws came into place after the crash

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN