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
Aircraft
NetJets Signs $5B Deal for Up To 250 Embraer Praetor 500s
NetJets has signed a $5 billion deal for up to 250 Embraer Praetor 500 midsize jets along with “comprehensives services and support.”
Charter & Fractional
Berkshire's NetJets, FlightSafety Soar in First Quarter
Bershire Hathaway aviation services companies NetJets and FlightSafety International saw revenues soar 18.8 percent in the first quarter.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Gogo Reducing Debt Load with $100M Loan Prepayment
By making a $100 million prepayment, Gogo is reducing its long-term debt to $612.3 million and saving about $8.5 million annually in interest charges.
Aircraft
CenTex King Air 350/360 Halo Mod Ups Weight, Safety
The CenTex Aerospace Halo 350 mod for Beechcraft King Air 350/360s increases max takeoff weight by 950 pounds and adds new safety systems.
Aircraft
Gulfstream G500 Makes Aero Friedrichshafen Debut
The Gulfstream G500 is on display at the Aero Friedrichshafen show, marking the type's German airshow debut.
Aircraft
Piper M-Class Turbines Get SAF Nod
The Piper Meridian/M500 and M600/SLS turboprop singles are now approved to use up to a 50 percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blend.
Aircraft
Bombardier Smart Link Plus OK'd for Challengers, Globals
Transport Canada, EASA, and the FAA have OK'd installation of Smart Link Plus health monitoring systems on most Bombardier Challengers and Globals.
Training and Workforce
FlightSafety Revs Up Sim Graphics with Unreal Engine
The Unreal Engine 3D creation tool is now being used to provide photorealistic details for FlightSafety International's flight simulators.
Regulations and Government
AviationManuals Named Guernsey 2-REG Trusted Vendor
AviationManuals status as a trusted vendor for the Guernsey aircraft registry helps its clients speed up processing times for aircraft registration.
Environment
Paramount Jets Updates Aircraft Emissions Calculator
Air charter provider Paramount Business Jets updated its Private Jet Carbon Offset Calculator to be more accurate and offer greener alternative aircraft.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
MySky Relocating EMEA Headquarters to Dubai
Business aviation spend management platform MySky is relocating its EMEA headquarters from Geneva to Dubai.
Aircraft
C&L Aero Clinches Sale of VVIP Bizliner to Argentina
C&L Aerospace has completed the sale of a VVIP Boeing 757 to the secretary general of the presidency of Argentina for presidential travel.
Aircraft
Gulfstream G400 Cabin Tour Launches, First Flight Nears
Gulfstream is launching a G400 cabin mockup tour in the U.S. as it prepares to fly the first of the twinjets later this year.
Environment
EBACE Keynoters To Mix Racing, Bizav, and Sustainability
F1 executives Toto and Susie Wolff will highlight sustainability in racing and business aviation during the keynote session at EBACE 2023 in Geneva.
Safety
SayWeather Adds Text, ForeFlight Delivery Options
The new SayWxAir service adds on-demand weather information via text message and the ForeFlight electronic flight bag app.
Airports
UK Aviation Groups Seek Strategic Airfield Policy
Aviation leaders say there needs to be a strategic policy for small airport infrastructure in the UK.
Environment
Dassault Falcon Adds SAF at Little Rock Facility
Dassault's continuous supply of sustainable aviation fuel in Little Rock will be used for all Falcons departing from its completions facility there.
Aircraft
Kenai Aviation Takes Delivery of Another Tecnam P2012 Traveller
Alaska based air charter operator Kenai Aviation accepted its second 11-seat Tecnam P2012 Traveller this week at the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo.
Aircraft
Blue Line Aviation Opts for All-Piper Training Fleet
Blue Line Aviation, a flight school in North Carolina, signed a deal for up to 115 Piper airplanes and announced an expansion into Florida.
Cirrus Launches Aircraft Configurator
Cirrus launched a web-based aircraft configurator that allows customers to virtually spec out a SR-series piston aircraft or SF50 Vision Jet.
Aircraft
Daher Plans To Up Production, Add Hybrid-electric TBM
Daher is boosting production capacity and plans to expand its product lineup with a hybrid-electric TBM airplane.
Aircraft
Daher Unveils More Upgrades for TBMs and Kodiaks
Daher announced several upgrades for its TBM 960 and Kodiak 100 turboprops and also named Simcom as its factory-authorized training organization.
Training and Workforce
Job Fair Expanded to Five Days at Sun 'n Fun Aero Expo
The career fair at the Sun 'n Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida, has been expanded to five days this year—from March 28 to April 1.
Training and Workforce
Parents Group Helps Central Florida Aero Academy Soar
PLANES, the parents group at Central Florida Aerospace Academy, is fundraising this week at the Sun 'n Fun airshow to support the high school.
The Island 'Social Hub' Lands at Sun 'n Fun 2023
The 2023 Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo will host The Island, a newly added “social hub” that will include the pilot welcome center, a cafe, and entertainment.
Maintenance and Modifications
Collins Aero Taps Eagle Creek as Authorized Dealer
Indianapolis-based MRO Eagle Creek Aviation has been named an authorized Collins Aerospace business and regional systems dealer.
Maintenance and Modifications
PartsBase Upgrades Its Online Aircraft Parts Store
PartsBase's new online aircraft parts store allows vendors to keep real-time inventories while customers can buy from multiple vendors in the same cart.
Aircraft
Report Highlights Need for Crosswind Training in Globals
A UK AAIB report on a wingtip-strike incident involving a Global 6000 in gusty conditions highlights the need for more crosswind training in the type.
Aircraft
Aerocor Updates Beechcraft Premier Buyer’s Guide
Aircraft brokerage Aerator has released an updated Beechcraft Premier I/IA buyer's guide that includes aftermarket upgrades and by-the-hour program costs.
Accidents
One Killed in Challenger 300 In-flight Upset
The NTSB is looking into a "reported trim issue" that occurred before Challenger 300 N300ER experienced an in-flight upset that killed a passenger.
