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
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.
Maintenance and Modifications
Skyservice Toronto Tapped for Falcon-authorized Mx
Deal will allow Skyservice Toronto to perform line maintenance, AOG support and other services on Falcon 900EX EASy and 2000EX EASy families.
Aircraft
Bombardier Lands First Learjet 75 Customer in Brazil
The Bombardier business jet fleet in Latin America currently includes more than 510 Learjets and some 175 Challengers and Globals.
World Fuel Opens Trip Support Office in Mexico
Office can now provide flight planning and trip support to Mexican operators flying internationally and all operators flying into Mexico and Latin America.
Safety
Honeywell Launches Proximity Sensors for Aircraft
Its integral health monitoring (IHM) proximity sensors can detect when a sensor has been damaged or otherwise affected.
ATC
GA Leaders: 'Redouble' Opposition to Privatized ATC
Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Indiana) said the true intent of H.R.2997 is “not privatization; this is a corporate takeover.”
Airports
NBAA: Solar Eclipse Could Affect Some Bizav Ops
NBAA uggests that pilots check Notams for possible TFRs and other events that could affect planned flights around August 21.
Foley: Bizav Market Has Bottomed Out in Latin America
Data from Amstat indicates that fleet of private aircraft in the region grew by 1 percent over the 12 months ending June 30.
European Bizav Flying Continues Upward Trajectory
Following the trend so far this summer in Europe, the strongest expansion in flight activity last month was in the Mediterranean.
Airports
Court Nullifies HTO Curfews and Noise Restrictions
Plaintiffs had argued that the federal Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 applies to all public-use U.S. airports.
Rotorcraft
Chicago Vertiport To Host Helicopter Show This Thursday
The show, which is free and open to the public, will include some 20 helicopters on static display.
