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
Charter & Fractional
VistaJet Sees Double-digit Growth in Flight Hours
Its all-Bombardier fleet—which includes the Challenger 350, 650, and 850 and Global 5000 and 6000—now numbers 72 aircraft.
Aircraft
Embraer Bizjet Shipments Down in ’17, but Meet Target
As of December 31, Embraer’s backlog for both executive and commercial aircraft stood at $18.3 billion, down from $19.6 billion a year earlier.
Training and Workforce
Simhawk Logs 16,000 Hours of Booked Sim Time in 2017
Simhawk handled training requests that equate to the annual capacity of three full-motion flight simulators.
CBAA 2018 To Address Bizav Pilot Shortage
Aviation labor experts will discuss issues and strategies to deal with pilot shortages, recruitment, retirement, and succession planning.
Fuel
NATA Launches Supplemental Safety Training Program
Program provides background information on diesel exhaust fluid, identifying possible risk contamination pathways and mitigation steps.
European Bizjet Flying Surges 6% in December
The slowdown in activity last month was centered in Western Europe, with fewer departures from France, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy.
U.S. Business Aircraft Flying Ends 2017 with a Gain
Analysts at the business aviation services company are calling for a 3.3 percent gain in flying this month.
Preowned Gulfstream Market Tightens, Prices Firm Up
Three in-production Gulfstream models—the G650, G550, and G280—have very low inventory levels, with less than 4 percent of each fleet up for sale.
Aircraft
Garmin G1000NXi Avionics OK’d for Piper M500
G1000NXi features wireless cockpit connectivity, enhanced situational awareness, visual approaches, and map overlay on the horizontal situation indicator.
Aircraft
Dassault Falcon Deliveries Climb Above Forecast in 2017
French aircraft manufacturer shipped 49 Falcons last year, four more than forecast and on par with its overall number of business jet deliveries in 2016.
Snow Closes Gulfstream’s HQ, Facilities in Georgia
Company manufactures the G550 and G650/650ER and is ramping up G500 and G600 production at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.
Aircraft
Global 7000 Mockup To Land at Jetex FBO in Dubai
105-foot-long mockup features a dining area, entertainment lounge, en-suite master bedroom and private washroom, as well as a fully equipped kitchen.
British European Aviation Tapped as Piper Dealer in UK
BEA provides airfield management, private and professional pilot training, aircraft sales, management and maintenance, engineering, and aircraft charter.
Aircraft
Global 7000 On Track, Questions Remain on 8000
Compounding this uncertainty is a still-undefined certification schedule, an apparent lack of orders, and “unclear” market requirements.
Look Ahead: 2018 To Be 'Reset Year' for Business Aviation Market
Growth is projected to begin in 2019.
Aircraft
Textron Stands by Silvercrest, Says Hemisphere on Track
Dassault cancels Falcon 5X, saying Silvercrest engine won't be ready in 2020; Textron believes Silvercrest-powered Hemisphere will enter service in 2020.
Aircraft
Dassault Axes Falcon 5X, Launches New P&WC-powered Jet
New Falcon is powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada engines and features the same cross section as the Falcon 5X.
Training and Workforce
FAA OKs FlightSafety's First Pilatus PC-24 Sim
Company's simulation engineers and courseware developers worked closely with Pilatus Aircraft to develop the PC-24 simulator and training program.
Aircraft
Aerion, Lockheed Plan AS2 SSBJ Announcement on Friday
However, the Reno, Nevada-based SSBJ company would not disclose the exact nature of the announcement.
Charter & Fractional
PlaneSense Gears Up for Pilatus PC-24 Service Entry
PlaneSense’s jet program customers will be able to fly aboard the PC-24 in late February or early March, following proving flights.
WingX: European Bizav Flying Surges 6% in November
This takes the year-to-date growth trend to 4.2 percent, according to data released by WingX Advance.
U.S. Bizav Flying Gets 'Holiday Boost' in November
This continues the year-to-date growth trend and exceeds the company’s prediction for 3.2 percent growth last month.
Avionics
ACSS Collaborates To Demonstrate ADS-B In in China
Air traffic situational awareness enhanced visual separation on approach ADS-B In application was hosted on ACSS’s T3CAS integrated surveillance system.
Rotorcraft
Super-mid Helos are 'Defining' Products, Says Lessor
Until Leonardo AW189 and Airbus H175 entered service in 2014, no single civil helicopter bridged the gap between the midsize and heavy categories.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Global Aerospace Expands SM4 Safety Program Benefits
SM4 continues to expand by providing targeted subject matter experts and financial support to the aerospace sector.
Airports
Universal Breaks Ground on Fifth Hangar at Toluca FBO
With the new hangar, Universal Aviation Mexico will increase its total number of hangar space to almost 170,000 sq ft.
Aircraft
Newest Bombardier Challengers Hit Delivery Milestones
Challenger 350 has surpassed 200 deliveries and Bombardier recently handed over 50th large-cabin Challenger 650.
Aircraft
Millennials Changing the Face of Business Aviation
Generation is causing a new ecosystem to take shape—“business aviation as a service”—said Embraer Executive Jets president and CEO Michael Amalfitano.
Avionics
One of Every Seven ADS-B Out Installs Problematic
While some of these are due to improper hardware installations, many are caused by incorrect configuration by avionics technicians.
Security
Satcom Direct Launches Bizav Cyber Security Course
Course help users understand security compliance considerations, social engineering, malware and other data-security-related concepts.
