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
First Production Pilatus PC-24 Jet Gets Its Wings
Production“accelerated" to ensure that prompt deliveries of first customer aircraft can go ahead immediately after certification in the fourth quarter.
North American Bizjet Activity Continues Climb
Southeast dominated in departures, accounting for more than one-fifth of the 233,131 business aircraft flights recorded last month in the U.S.
Regulations and Government
FAA To Study EFVS for Helos Using Max-Viz Units
Regulations for enhanced flight vision systems do not currently exist for helicopters flying to onshore or offshore helipads at heliports.
ATC
Study: Remote ATC Towers Reduce Costs, Expand Service
Capital costs for a remote tower facility are between $1.5 and $2.5 million versus $3 million to $7 million” for federal contract towers.
Charter & Fractional
Horizon Air Group Acquires Starbase Jet
The acquisition makes Horizon one of the largest air charter companies in the South Central U.S.
Maintenance and Modifications
Advent's eABS Wins FAA Nod for King Air B200 Series
eABS reduces the risk of flat-spotting or blowing tires and allows aggressive braking as an alternative to the use of reverse thrust.
Bizjet Market Stabilizes in Asia-Pacific, Says ASG
Positive signs are further supported by the results from ASG’s mood and intentions survey results in the report.
Accidents
Former Avantair DOM Sentenced for Obstructing NTSB, FAA
Received eight months of house arrest, three years of probation and a $2,000 fine for obstructing the NTSB and FAA during an accident investigation.
Aircraft
Dassault Falcon 5X Flies with 'Preliminary' Engines
Preliminary flight-test campaign will last only a few weeks to help streamline the development process; full-fledges testing will start next year.
‘Trump Bump’ for Bizjet Market Falls Flat
UBS Business Jet Market Index is “still stuck” around breakeven level (50) following a post-U.S. election bounce late last year.
Charter & Fractional
CB Aviation Launches Fractional Share Program
The service area is currently defined as the U.S. West Coast, but company has plans for CB SkyShares to be a national plan in a few years.
Security
Embry-Riddle Launches Aviation Cybersecurity Program
The program, available in-person on campus or online, has three courses that cover basic cybersecurity concepts, existing standards and best practices.
Regulations and Government
Elwell Returns To FAA as Deputy Administrator
Most recently, he has been serving as the senior advisor on aviation to Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao.
Aircraft
NetJets Receives 50th Challenger 350, 30th Global
To date, NetJets’ Challenger 350 fleet has logged nearly 70,000 flight hours, while its Globals have accumulated nearly 67,000 flight hours.
Charter & Fractional
Executive AirShare Launches Plan for Midsize Companies
Dubbed Launch Lease, the plan offers customers 40 total program days on an Executive AirShare aircraft to use over a two-year period.
Aircraft
Airvan 10 T-prop Single Gets Aussie CASA, U.S. FAA Nods
The 10-seat, Rolls-Royce M250-powered airplane is a stretched version of GippsAero’s Airvan 8 piston single.
Avionics
JSSI, Constant Aviation Team on ADS-B Webinar
ADS-B OUT avionics will be required by Jan. 1, 2020 for all aircraft flying in U.S. airspace.
Training and Workforce
TRU Adds CJ4 to Online Pilot Ground School Offerings
Ground school option shortens the amount of time customers are required to be at TRU's training facility.
Pre-owned Prices Fall 35% Across Six Bizjet Types
Models in the study included the Cessna Citation Mustang, CJ2 and Excel; Bombardier Learjet 45 and Global XRS; and Gulfstream G550.
Engines
Safran Silvercrest To Have Two Takeoff Thrust Ratings
Second takeoff rating maintains the takeoff thrust in “certain high ambient temperature conditions.”
ExecuJet Lanseria To Host Inaugural African Bizav Expo
It will be a three-day show, held November 29 through December 1, the African Business Aviation Association said.
Aircraft
Fourth Test Gulfstream G600 Takes Flight
G600 departed Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport on a 1 hour 18 minute flight, during which it climbed to 51,000 feet and reached Mach 0.925.
Skills Shortage Looms for Bizav, Says EBAA-backed Study
Findings concluded that there was little awareness of workforce shortages within business aviation, particularly for pilots and maintenance technicians.
Regulations and Government
FAA, UK In Talks on Post-Brexit Aviation Repercussions
The FAA is already engaged in technical discussions with the UK Department of Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority about specific steps.
Avionics
Airbus Helicopters Picks Astronautics Datacom System
Helicopter operators will realize enhanced operational and safety benefits through real-time data access.
Analyst: Airlines Have Become Bizav's Best Marketer
Recent airline/passenger incidents “will cause a few to explore their options and leave the airlines" and support the decision of those already using bizav
Aircraft
Textron Rolls Out First Production Citation Longitude
There are currently five of the super-midsize twinjets on the production line.
Accidents
Saturday's Beechjet Flameout Marks Fifth in Type
Jet diverted and safely landed at Buffalo Niagara International Airport after experiencing a left engine flameout over Pennsylvania.
WingX: Bizav Activity in Europe Continues Climb
There were 77,068 business aircraft departures in Europe last month, a 3.3 percent increase from a year ago and the “busiest month so far this year.”
U.S. Bizav Flying Sees ‘Substantial Increase’ in May
According to Argus data, business aircraft operations in the U.S., Caribbean and Canada soared 6.5 percent year-over-year in May 2017.
