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
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.
Charter & Fractional
Surf Air Acquires Dallas-based Competitor Rise
Under the transition to the Surf Air brand, Rise will phase out its current fleet of Beechcraft King Air 350s and replace it with Pilatus PC-12s.
Avionics
Garmin G5 Digital DG/HSI Wins FAA AML-STC Approval
The 3.5-inch LCD unit can be used as a primary instrument for displaying magnetic heading, VOR/LOC guidance and/or GPS course guidance.
Charter & Fractional
Citing 50% Growth, Flexjet Goes on Pilot Hiring Spree
Open pilot positions are in its light through super-midsize jets—the Embraer Phenom 300 and Legacy 450 and Bombardier Learjet 75LXi and Challenger 350.
Charter & Fractional
JetSuite Jumps into Business Aircraft Management
An increase in charter flying demand and growth in its SuiteKey block charter program led to the creation of the multi-tiered aircraft management o
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Gogo Bizav Adds Access to Airshow Moving Maps
After activating an account with Rockwell Collins, Gogo ATG customers can download an app to view Airshow moving maps on smartphones or tablets.
Training and Workforce
TRU's Citation Latitude/Sovereign+ Sim Gets FAA Nod
Courses under the Latitude/Sovereign+ program include initial aircraft and initial type rating, recurrent and avionics introduction.
Charter & Fractional
FlairJet To Manage Surf Air Europe’s Phenom 300
The twinjet will go into service next month and be operated by FlairJet.
Charter & Fractional
Oyonnair Touts Avanti's 98% Dispatch Reliability Rate
In the last year, Oyonnair has logged 3,000 hours in its turboprop twin-engine Avanti P.180s.
Forget the Wheel, Company Reinvents the Aircraft Chock
Chock has a simple over-center locking system, eliminating the need for complicated locking mechanisms and making removal an easy, one-handed operation.
Aircraft
PlaneSense Gears Up for Launch of Pilatus PC-24
The company has an initial order for six PC-24s, but plans to place an add-on “significant order” as soon as Pilatus reopens the order book next year.
Europe Could Lead Recovery in Bizjet Market, Says JetNet
Buyer sentiment is most optimistic in Europe, with 61.8 percent in this region saying that the business jet market is past the low point.
Aircraft
Nextant Aerospace's Next Act: the Challenger 604
The 604XT is being announced first as an avionics retrofit package, with more details to come in October about other potential improvements.
Maintenance and Modifications
Embraer Executive Jets Expands Service in Russia
Embraer appointed Moscow-based JF Service as its new authorized service center for Legacy 450s and 500s in Russia.
Aircraft
Piaggio Renews Focus on Business Aviation
Piaggio has been ramping up operations at its new production facility at Riviera Airport in Villanova d’Albenga, Italy.
Aircraft
Cirrus Vision Jet Earns EASA Nod and Logs First European Delivery
EASA approval comes seven months after the U.S FAA certified the single-engine Cirrus Vision Jet.
Maintenance and Modifications
Vector Showcases MRO Solutions
Vector offers OEM-approved support for several business aviation powerplants and helicopters.
Aircraft
Air Hamburg Is Launch Customer for Embraer Legacy 650E
Aircraft has upgraded Honeywell Primus Elite Advanced Features avionics suite with synthetic vision and autothrottles as standard equipment.
Charter & Fractional
Flexjet’s UK Division Gears Up for Growth
Company plans to offer tailored international programs to European-based business aircraft owners.
Aircraft
Pilatus Starts Production of PC-24 Jets
First production airplane is already painted in its final livery, and certification and the first delivery planned for the fourth quarter.
Maintenance and Modifications
Helicopter Operator Starlite Opts for Traxxall Mx Tracking
Company's missions include relief work, helicopter emergency medical service, medical evacuation, and on/offshore oil and gas support.
Charter & Fractional
VistaJet Jettisons Aircraft Positoning Fees
Depending on location, positioning fees can add tens of thousands to the overall cost of a flight, says the company.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
European Bizjet Fleet To Double by 2025, Says Global Jet Capital
Global Jet Capital: Around 41 percent of the region’s business aircraft fleet is composed of midsize to large-cabin jets.
Aircraft
M600 Turboprop Single Provides Lift to Piper's Sales Revenues
The addition of the M600, with three handed over in the latest quarter, “drove revenue up significantly.”
Aircraft
Piaggio Rolls Out New Customer Service Solutions for Avantis
Solutions include avionics upgrades, new maintenance programs and an improved landing gear system available for retrofit.
Aircraft
Textron Starts Fabricating Cessna Denali Test Articles
Engineers have started fabrication of the first static, fatigue test articles and initiated testing with the fuel system iron bird.
Aircraft
Outfitted Gulfstream G500 Makes European Debut
Aircraft flew from Savannah to Paris in 7 hours and 40 minutes, covering the 3,788-nm/7,015-km distance at an average speed of Mach 0.90.
Charter & Fractional
Flexjet's European Operation To Add Legacy 600s by Year-end
Legacy 600 was chosen for its super-midsize cabin and nearly 3,800-nm range, allowing flights from London or Paris to Northern Africa and Middle East.
Aircraft
Gulfstream Delivers First B-registered G650 in China
This follows type certificate validation from China’s Civil Aviation Administration for Gulfstream’s flagship G650 and G650ER in mid-February.
Regulations and Government
NBAA: MEL Rule in Europe Stems from New Part NCC
“We are working with the FAA, ICAO and EASA to find a way forward,” said NBAA vice president of regulatory and international affairs Doug Carr.
