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
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.
Maintenance and Modifications
Advent Offers $3K Rebate for King Air, PC-12 eABS
The eABS anti-skid braking system is an alternative to reverse thrust, reduces stopping distances and eliminates risk of tire damage.
Maintenance and Modifications
JSSI Waives Flight Hour Fees for Harvey Relief Efforts
In addition, JSSI will contribute $10,000 and match every flight hour credit with a dollar-for-dollar donation to the Red Cross.
Aircraft
Gulfstream Flies Fifth Flight-test G600
Outfitted with the first production interior, the aircraft—registered as N600G—serves as a cabin testbed
NBAA Asks Members To Be a HERO to Harvey Victims
The association noted that business aviation has long served as a lifeline to people and communities in crisis.
Maintenance and Modifications
New Video Helps Pilots with Composite Prop Blade Checks
While its blades are made from aerospace grade composite material and “incredibly durable,” Hartzell notes that they “are not entirely immune to damage.”
Avionics
ADS-B Upgrade Sales Double at Constant Aviation
According to Constant, the ADS-B upgrades were completed in conjunction with maintenance events, interior refurbishments and avionics installations.
Charter & Fractional
Argus: Bizav Flights Spiked 28% for Solar Eclipse
Three of the top-five business aircraft used to travel to totality airports were turboprops, according to Argus’ data.
Aircraft
Pilatus PC-6 Production To End in Early 2019
“Due to the age of the PC-6 and other certification parameters, it is no longer possible to provide this ongoing development in the scope we would wish.”
Safety
'Intentionally Safe' Is Theme for 2017 Safety Standdown
Among the general session presenters are NTSB chairman Robert Sumwalt and FBI senior industrial/organizational psychologist Amy Grubb.
Charter & Fractional
PlaneSense Captures Fire Foam Test on Video
Roughly 25 gallons of foam mixture was used in the simulation, creating about 10 feet of soap bubbles throughout the hangar.
Charter & Fractional
Latest VistaJet Cash Infusion Raises Equity to $2.5B
In the first half of this year, VistaJet’s profits climbed 32 percent year-over-year as subscription program hour sales and membership revenue soared.
Charter & Fractional
BACA: Regs Allowing Flight-cost Sharing Need Review
The practice is growing with the launch of several flight cost-sharing apps in Europe, including Skyüber, Wingly and FlightClub.
UBS: Bizjet Market 'Heavily Skewed' Toward N. America
By aircraft category, midsize jet shipments rose 13 percent in 2Q17, while light and large-cabin jets fell 15 percent and 5 percent, respectively.
Aircraft
Global 7000 FTV2 Flameout Won't Affect Flight-test Plan
FTV2 “experienced an in-flight flameout of the right engine following high vibration and high inter turbine temperature (ITT) readings.”
Aircraft
HondaJet, Phenom 300 Spar for Top Light Jet Sales Title
If it pulls off the feat, the HondaJet would assume the title from the Embraer Phenom 300, which has been the best seller in this category for four years.
TNA Aviation Intros Heavy-duty Remote-controlled Tug
The tug is rated for a towing power of up to 165,000 pounds mtow.
UBS: Bizjet Market Still Stuck in Neutral
The overall index was driven lower by weaker customer interest, softer pricing and muted 12-month outlook.
Aircraft
HondaJet Gets Brazlian Nod
In 2015, Honda Aircraft appointed Lider Aviacão as its exclusive dealer to provide sales, service and support for customers in Brazil.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Waypoint Inks Deal with Helicol, Its First in Colombia
Since its inception in 2013, Waypoint has been active in supporting oil and gas, utility, firefighting and other industrial-focused helicopter operators.
U.S. Bizav Flying Up in July, but Part 91 Still a Drag
Flight activity missed the company’s forecast for 4.3 percent growth in July, but Argus predicts a 3.3 percent rise this month.
Aircraft
Bombardier Ships First CL350 for Argentinian Customer
The 350 is an upgraded Challenger 300 with a new wing, more powerful Honeywell HTF7350 engines, larger windows and redesigned interior.
