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
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Satcom Direct To Launch LTE Hub for T-props, Light Jets
Router will have the smallest form factor on the market while still supporting the latest cellular, Wi-Fi and satellite technology.
Rotorcraft
HeliOffshore Advancing Key Safety Projects
HeliOffshore is also starting work on a second phase of eye-tracking research, which aims to help pilots make better use of automation in the cockpit.
ATC
AEA Warns of Potential Aircraft ID Mismatch with ADS-B
Likely scenario of such a mismatch lies with operators who use a call sign on some or all of their flights.
Aircraft
Embraer Delivers First Florida-assembled Legacy 500
Besides today’s Legacy 500 handover, the Florida facility has assembled and delivered two Legacy 450s and more than 250 Phenoms.
Aircraft
Young Used Bizjet Inventory Falls To Pre-crisis Levels
Available preowned business jet inventory last month was 7 percent lower year-over-year and now represent 10.3 percent of the installed base, says UBS.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Free In-Flight Connectivity Breakfast Offered at NBAA
The breakfast is tailored for flight department managers, pilots and maintenance technicians.
FBOs
Sheltair Assists Cuomo on Puerto Rico Relief Flight
Among the items brought along on the airlift was some 34,000 bottles of water, 9,600 ready-to-eat meals, 3,000 canned goods and hundreds of flashlights.
Avionics
Honeywell Expands Cabin Connectivity Support
Honeywell’s GoDirect Cabin Connectivity technical experts can provide diagnosis and solutions for onboard connectivity issues.
Airports
SMO Runway Shortening To Start October 9
The shortening project will curtail business jet traffic by “an estimated 44 percent and reduce large jet noise and air pollution," the city claimed.
Aircraft
Spike Plans To Fly Unmanned Demonstrator This Month
The SX-1.2 is an unmanned scaled proof-of-concept aircraft that will help validate the control and stability of the S-512 at low speeds.
CAN Fundraiser at NBAA 2017 Gaining Traction
Funds from the event will help CAN continue its work to arrange flights for cancer patients to and from treatment.
Aircraft
Five Years On, G650 Still 'Top of Market' Bizjet
Gulfstream president Mark Burns said “the G650 set a new standard in business aviation” for its range and payload, low sound levels and four-zone cabin.
Avionics
GAMA: 40,000 U.S. GA Airplanes Now Have ADS-B Out
This is out of the FAA-estimated 100,000 to 160,000 general aviation aircraft that will need to have ADS-B Out before the Jan. 1, 2020 deadline.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Global Aerospace Adds Pro Services Liability Insurance
New coverage is aimed at aerospace contractors, aircraft maintenance providers, auditors and engineers, among others.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Gogo's Bizav Data Service To Go Global in 2018
“Gogo’s Ku satellite service will deliver a superior experience to anything else in the market today for anyone flying globally on business jets,” it said.
Charter & Fractional
BP Ties Up with Online Air Charter Broker Victor
Through its cooperation with Air BP, Victor will further develop its core digital platform.
Argus: North American Bizav Flying ‘Sizzles’ in August
Last month's results were fueled by a 10.9 percent year-over-year increase in Part 135 activity.
Avionics
Nextant Flies Fusion-equipped Challenger 604
The avionics retrofit is one of the components of Nextant's remanufactured 604XT.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
MEBAA Broadens Insurance Product Portfolio for Members
MEBAA Insurance will include aviation, cyber security, medical and property coverage tailored for association members.
Aircraft
Texas Billionaire Is Nextant 604XT Launch Customer
604XT certification program is running ahead of schedule, with first flight scheduled for this month and FAA and EASA certification in June 2018.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Private Equity, Hedge Funds Eye Bizav Financing Market
More private equity firms and hedge funds will soon enter the business aviation finance sector to diversify their portfolios and reduce their exposure
Airports
Business Aviation Braces for Hurricane Irma
Three business aviation aircraft manufacturers—Gulfstream, Embraer and Piper—have production plants and other major facilities along the storm path.
NBAA To Collect Hurricane Relief Donations at MMU Forum
Stations will be arranged at the forum where attendees will be able to drop off much-needed supplies or make financial contributions.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Satcom Direct Activates First Jet ConneX Tech in Brazil
Ka-band service enables high-speed data transfers for in-flight live video and TV streaming, Wi-Fi internet, videoconferencing and voice and text services.
Safety
Baldwin, Truth Data Team on Bizav Safety Data Services
Operators will see the value immediately by working from one program to connect all aviation safety data, the companies said.
Maintenance and Modifications
Concorde STCs Lighter Battery for Citation Mustang
This replaces the OEM battery with a 30-ampere hour drop-in replacement that is five pounds lighter.
Charter & Fractional
VistaJet Launches Membership for Empty-leg Flights
For a $10,000 annual fee, VistaJet Direct members can request bookings on all available VistaJet aircraft before they are offered to the charter market.
FBOs
Signature Luton Adds 'Elite Class' Service
Service allows airline passengers to avoid the commercial terminal and arrive and depart from Signature Flight Support's private terminal.
Charter & Fractional
JetSuiteX Offers Shuttles for L.A.-area Football Fans
Per-seat costs start at $400 round trip, but this does not include tickets to games.
Avionics
Rectrix Is Latest Rockwell Collins Dealer
Designation expands the Part 145 shop’s capabilities to include sales, service and installation of Rockwell Collins avionics and cabin electronics.
