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

Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

Chad Trautvetter

Gordon Gilbert

Canada’s House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance (FINA) has recommended for the second time that the country’s new budget proposal “exclude aircraft from the Luxury Items Tax Act and place a moratorium on the luxury tax on aircraft pending further industry consultation.” This <a href="https://www.ourcommons.ca/documentviewer/en/44-1/FINA/report-16/page-132#36">latest opinion</a> is presented in FINA’s recent report submitted to the government summarizing recommended priorities in advance of the 2024 federal budget release in mid-April.
The recommendation follows a period in which FINA requested comments on various aspects of the upcoming budget. The Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA) and other general aviation associations have been fighting the tax since it was initially proposed in 2019 and continued their battle after it was adopted in 2022. In addition to the exemption recommendation, the report also adopted three other CBAA motions.
“We remain committed to educating and advocating on behalf of our industry regarding the true cost of the luxury tax on aircraft,” CBAA president and CEO Anthony Norejko told AIN. “In the end, it hurts Canadian jobs and our economic productivity. We appreciate the Standing Committee's willingness to support our efforts.” Meanwhile, the Canadian Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association said it “will be monitoring the government of Canada's 2024 budget to confirm the change comes into effect.”
In July, the government did incorporate a concession to business aviation by adding the use of aircraft for business to the list of “qualifying flights” that are exempted from the tax. Specifically, an aircraft is qualified if it is conducted at least 90 percent of the time “in the course of a business of an owner or lessee with a reasonable expectation of profit and it is not conducted for the leisure, recreation, sport, or other enjoyment of an owner or lessee” and is not operated under a time-share or charter or for a guest of the owner or lessee.

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

Aircraft May Be Exempted from Canada Luxury Tax

Finance committee says aircraft should not be included in luxury tax

Canada’s House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance is recommending that the new federal budget excludes aircraft from the Luxury Items Tax Act.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Amy Wilder

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.

Pre-tax earnings for service group climb 20.6%

NetJets, FlightSafety Revenue Rises in First-half 2026

Hanneke Weitering

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Financing supports Eco Caravan certification and hybrid-electric APU development

Ampaire Raises $19 Million for Hybrid-electric Airplanes

Kerry Lynch

Moody's assigned a Ba2 credit rating, up from Ba3, while maintaining a positive outlook

Moody's Upgrades Bombardier as Balance Sheet Improves

Matt Thurber

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Decision support system helps pilots assess risks up to 14 days ahead of planned flight

PlaneWX Pilots Save with 5X5 Insurance Safety Rewards

Component sales boosted Beta’s second-quarter revenue

Beta Is Turning Its eVTOL Competitors into Customers

Charles Alcock

UK group says it will complete Valo eVTOL’s critical design review this year 

Vertical Extends Cash Runway with Fresh eVTOL Funding 

Buyers urged to seek guidance, consider financing before finding an aircraft

IADA Panel: Financing Has Evolved Beyond a Buying Tool

Howard Hardee

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

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