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
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.
Aircraft
'Lost Decade' for Light and Midsize Bizjets Nears End: Citi Analyst
The light and midsize jet markets have now “found a floor” since deliveries exceeded long-term trends in the 2000s.
Avionics
40% of U.S. Business Aircraft Fleet Won't Meet ADS-B Out Deadline
“Looking to install ADS-B Out next year is too late,” warned Duncan Aviation president Aaron Hilkeman.
Training and Workforce
FlightSafety Launches New P&WC PT6A Pilot Course
One-day course will provide pilots with info on turboprop engine's normal and abnormal operation, operational procedures and recommendations.
Maintenance and Modifications
Tamarack Plans To Offer Active Winglets for Phenom 100
Active winglets will greatly expand the capability of the light jet, specifically improving the Phenom 100's hot-and-high performance and adding range.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
New Normal: Bizjets Depreciate by 50% at Year Five
Owners of aircraft older than 15 to 20 years need to realize that they might be the last owner of the airplane.
Airports
Surf Air Europe Moving Base from Luton to London City
UK-based FlairJet, which operates Phenom 300s for Surf Air Europe, is working on obtaining the required steep approach approvals to fly into LCY.
Avionics
SmartSky Offers Unlimited Data for Early-bird Customers
Company's 4G air-to-ground network is on schedule to provide 95 percent Continental U.S. coverage in mid-2018.
Aircraft
Bombardier Moving Global 5000 Completions to Wichita
As part of the announcement, the Canadian aircraft manufacturer designated Montreal as a center of excellence for interior completions of Global 7000s.
Avionics
AEA: Retrofits Lift Avionics Sales through 3Q
Of the total avionics sales during the first nine months, 57.7 percent, or nearly $1 billion, came from the retrofit market
Aircraft
Bombardier To Ramp Up Hiring for Global 7000 Production
The OEM currently has about 50 open positions related to Global 7000 production and completions listed on its website
Avionics
Extant Aero Expanding at Its Central Florida Campus
Additional facility will support company’s growing product portfolio and accommodate future growth in its high-mix, low-volume product lines and services.
Charter & Fractional
Tax Bill Provision Eliminates FET on Aircraft Mgmt Fees
Provision directly responds to a March 2012 IRS Chief Counsel Advice Memorandum that concluded management fees were subject to 7.5 percent tax.
Aircraft
Embraer Lowers Cabin Altitude for Legacy 450/500
mbraer is now increasing the cabin pressurization differential from 9.3 psi to 9.73 psi to reduce the maximum cabin altitude to 5,800 feet.
Avionics
ACSS Taps BendixKing as Bizjet Dealer for NXT-700
Agreement offers aircraft operators a sales channel for purchasing and installing the ADS-B-compliant transponder.
FBOs
ExecuJet To Consolidate Dubai FBO/MRO Services at DWC
Construction of its new combined FBO/MRO at Dubai South is slated to start early next year, with opening expected in late 2019.
Aircraft
Chinese Firm Orders $37B in Boeing Airliners
The order announcement from the airliner leasing company was part of the U.S. trade mission to China.
Aircraft
XTI Aircraft Racks Up 60+ Orders for TriFan 600
Using three ducted fans, the TriFan will be able to lift off vertically and then rotate its two wing fans forward for forward flight.
North American Bizav Flying Continues Ascent
This marks the fifth consecutive rise for the month of October, going from about 240,000 flights in October 2012 to more than 270,000 last month.
Training and Workforce
Emirates Academy Welcomes First Embraer Phenom 100EV
The aircraft is the eighth 100EV manufactured by Embraer at its Phenom assembly facility in Melbourne, Florida.
Charter & Fractional
VistaJet’s Middle East Customer Base Jumps 50%
Sixty-eight of the more than 1,600 airports that VistaJet’s all-Bombardier fleet has flown into globally are in the Middle East.
