Chad Trautvetter
Online Editor
Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group. He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion, the 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 magazine, he joined 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.
Latest from Chad Trautvetter
FBOs
Jet Aviation Completes Hawker Pacific Acquisition
As part of this acquisition, Jet Aviation will add 19 locations across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East to its global network.
Charter & Fractional
JetSuiteX Codeshares with JetBlue
Unlike the airlines, JetSuiteX customers can arrive 20 minutes before departure and board in just minutes.
Charter & Fractional
U.S. Pilot Groups Urge Flexjet Pilots To Keep Union
The decertification vote begins for OneSky pilots on May 2 and ends May 30.
Aircraft
Quest Taps Clay Lacy as U.S. Northeast Kodiak Dealer
This move builds on the companies’ relationship in the Pacific Northwest, where Clay Lacy has been a Quest-authorized dealer since 2015.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Bizjet Interior Component Maker MSB Opens SAV Facility
The new 10,000-sq-ft U.S. production facility is expected to produce up to 30 percent of MSB’s North America output this year.
Gulfstream Shipments Slip, but Sales Still 'Strong'
Deliveries of its super-midsize G280 held steady at seven in both first quarters, but large-cabin jets fell by four from a year ago, to 19.
Maintenance and Modifications
Gulfstream Aerospace To Add Second Service Center at SAV
With facilty, Gulfstream will have more than 1 million sq ft/92,903 sq m of dedicated customer-support hangar space, offices and back shops in Savannah.
Charter & Fractional
Surf Air Expands in U.S. and Europe, Adds Global Membership
This opens up approximately 20 new destinations for Surf Air members in Europe and across the Eastern U.S.
Charter & Fractional
AARP Opposes Age 65 Retirement for Charter/Frax Pilots
Pilots should be judged on the basis of their individual ability, flying skills, and their health," it said.
Aircraft
Citation Latitude Marks ABACE Debut, China Service Entry
Aircraft manufacturer recently delivered the first two Latitudes into China to Emper General Aviation in Suzhou for its air charter operation.
Aircraft
Embraer Offering Retrofit Divan for Phenom 300s
The divan is positioned at the front of the cabin facing the entrance and the refreshment center.
Accidents
NTSB: CJ4 Pilot Didn't Make Unicom Call before Collision
Two witnesses "heard the Cessna 150 pilot on Runway 15 Unicom frequency.”
Aircraft
Biz Aircraft Deliveries, Sales Soar at Textron Aviation
The division delivered 36 business jets and 29 turboprops in the quarter, compared with 35 jets and 20 turboprops in the first three months of 2017.
Aircraft
Embraer Aircraft Deliveries Slump in First Quarter
The 11 executive jets shipped in the most recent quarter consisted of three Phenom 100s, five Phenom 300s, two Legacy 450s, and one Legacy 500.
Maintenance and Modifications
Gulfstream Expands Mx Support in Beijing, Opens AOG Center
It will add a second shift and hire approximately 10 maintenance technicians and inspectors in Beijing.
Aircraft
Gulfstream’s Newest Twins Make ABACE Debut
This also marks the G500’s 19th stop on a world tour to showcase the airplane and its performance capabilities.
Charter & Fractional
New Flexjet Unit Seeks To Be Extension of Flight Departments
The division will provide consulting services and supplemental lift options to corporate flight departments that maintain and operate their own fleet.
European Bizav Flying Down in March, but Bizjets Up
International activity also descended last month, with flights from Europe to North America and Asia-Pacific falling 7 percent and 5 percent, respectively.
Aircraft
Daher TBM 930 Gets Additional Avionics Functionality
Company also announced a new name for its North American division: Daher Aircraft Inc.
Training and Workforce
Partners Aim To Halve Cost of Four-year Aviation Degree
Central Christian College and International Aero Academy announced a partnership to develop more cost-effective aviation degree programs.
Aircraft
Piper’s M-Class Gets Upgrades, New Options
Garmin G1000 NXi is now certified on both the Piper M500 turboprop single and M350 pressurized piston single.
Aircraft
ATP Places Repeat Mega Order for Piper Archers
With 40 locations, ATP is the largest private flight school in the U.S. and leading supplier of pilots to the nation’s regional airlines.
Lightspeed Partners To Help Jump-start Pilot Growth
A partnership with AOPA will further accelerate growth initiatives under the association’s “You Can Fly” program.
Avionics
Bose Unveils Noise-cancelling Headset for Jet Pilots
Bose designed the headset for long-term comfort—a feature that has already been tested on long flights in a Gulfstream G650.
FBOs
Signature Flight Support Continues SNF Sponsorship
Company to also use its booth to provide information to those interested in getting involved in the aviation industry.
Avionics
Epic Optix Unveils $2K Portable HUD for Genav Airplanes
HUD mirrors data from software such as Avidyne IFD100, ForeFlight, WingX, Garmin Pilot, and Appareo Horizons for Stratus.
U.S. Bizav Flying Rises, but Part 91 and Frax Still Lag
All aircraft categories saw increases last month, with large-cabin jets coming out ahead with a 4.7-percent year-over-year increase.
Used Bizcraft Values Rise, Led by Super-midsize Jets
Amstat’s latest Aircraft Valuation Tool Aircraft Values Report shows business aircraft values up across all categories.
Aircraft
HondaJet Racks Up More Approvals, Makes FIDAE Debut
HondaJet has received type certifications from Argentina’s Administración Nacional de Aviación Civil and Panama’s Autoridad Aeronáutica Civil.
Aircraft
Cirrus Aircraft Wins Collier Trophy for SF50 Vision Jet
Collier Trophy is awarded annually “for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America."
