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
London Oxford Offers Deal for First-time Bizjet Users
“Try and Fly” promotion waives the landing fee, halves parking fees for up to a week and offers a fuel dicsount for first-time users of the airport.
Bizav Flying in Europe Off To a ‘Strong Start’
While the 12-month trend is slightly positive, flying is still trailing the pre-crisis 2008 benchmark by more than 15 percent.
Bizav Flying Off To a Good Start in 2017, Says Argus
Results by operational category were positive across the board, with Part 135 and fractional activity each climbing by 4 percent from a year ago.
Charter & Fractional
Lawmakers Seek to End Aircraft Managed Fee Tax Issue
FET being imposed on management fees would amount to double-taxation on aircraft owners, according to NATA.
Charter & Fractional
Bliss Jet To Start Per-seat NYC-London Bizjet Service
Company will offer up to 10 seats aboard a Gulfstream G450 or G550 flown between the two cities by “established” U.S. charter operators.
Training and Workforce
NATA Launches Training Center for Part 91/135 Operators
Includes online library of more than 50 courses to assist air charter, corporate and fractional operators in meeting regulatory training requirements.
Aircraft
Embraer Cracks Open Bizjet Market in Argentina
The country is also a ripe replacement business aircraft market, as about 80 percent of the 170 Argentina-registered business jets are 10 years or older.
Aircraft
Quest Delivered a Record 36 Aircraft in 2016
Other significant milestones at Quest last year included the completion of a 5,000-sq-ft research-and-development facility.
Charter & Fractional
Luxaviation Launches Helicopter Management Company
It will have a presence in “key locations” in Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean, Europe, the Americas and the Middle East.
Maintenance and Modifications
Textron Aviation Ready for Game-day Support in Houston
Company covering customers with service center at Houston Hobby Airport and three mobile service units statoned in the Houston area.
Avionics
Dassault's FalconEye Nominated for Collier Trophy
Combined vision system in competition with the Blue Origin New Shepard, Boeing 737 Max and the USAF 212th Rescue/249th Airlift Squadrons.
Aircraft
ZenithJet Launches Global Jet Acquisition Program
Covers market assessment; aircraft identification; purchase agreement negotiation; oversight of pre-purchase inspection and closing, among others.
Charter & Fractional
Fueled by Growth in U.S., VistaJet Bookings Climb 137%
More than 65 percent of VistaJet U.S.’s new customers came from corporations and Fortune 500 companies.
Aircraft
Daher Delivers First 2017 TBM 930
Newest model now comes standard with ADS-B IN avonics, stick shaker, new interior features and wireless connectivity gateway.
Avionics
Volcanic Ash Detector for Jets Passes Ground Tests
At typical cruise speeds the system provides pilots with a seven to 10-minute warning, allowing sufficient time to safely evade ash clouds.
Aircraft
Gulfstream Jet Deliveries Find Bottom in 2016
This year is expected to be mostly flat, with moderate growth in 2018 and 2019 and a “significant” rise in 2020.
Airports
More Details Emerge on Presidential TFR at PBI
Lanata Airport “will be the most affected” under the TFR because it is within the more restrictive 10-nm ring.
NBAA Chief: 'Consequential' Change Coming for Bizav
Ed Bolen said the bizav industry must be "active and engaged" with changes to come under the new U.S. Congress and President.
Security
NBAA Kicks Off Inaugural Bizav Security Conference
Because security has always been a core priority for business aviation, additional federal regulations might not necessarily yield any better security.
FBOs
New FBO Chain Launches, Buys Illinois Facility
Stellar Aviation Group, a new FBO network started by three former Galaxy Aviation executives, has acquired the Horizon Aviation FBO in Springfield, Ill.
Rotorcraft
Flight Physiology Course To Be Held at Heli-Expo 2017
session will focus on the latest research and developments on topics that over the years have led to numerous helicopter accidents and pilot deaths.
Aircraft
Spike Aero To Fly Subsonic Prototype of SSBJ This Year
The scale prototype of its S-512 Quiet Supersonic Jet will demonstrate low-speed aerodynamic flight characteristics.
Avionics
Lufthansa Technik STCs Dual Ka-band Radome for BBJ1/2
The solution provides onboard high-speed internet, TV connections and a tail-view video feed.
JetNet Adding Live-aircraft Tracking to Aerodex
Users can see FAA-registered flights with activity from England, Ireland, Canada, the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean in real time.
Charter & Fractional
BACA To Hold Its Inaugural Air Charter Expo in London
ACE ’17 will include conference and learning sessions, a static display, exhibition space and networking opportunities.
FBOs
Jet Aviation Acquires Washington Dulles FBO from Ross Aviation
The Washington Dulles FBO complex ecompasses six hangars, 10 acres of ramp space and a newly renovated FBO terminal.
Regulations and Government
FAA To Hold Meetings on New SoCal Satnav Routes
Airspace improvements in Southern California that will replace dozens of existing conventional air routes with new satellite-based routes.
ATC
Honeywell Debunks Reports of Bogus CPDLC Messages
G550 crew received a “DESCEND AT MAXIMUM” message on CPDLC, and when they checked on voice with ATC it hadn’t come from them.
Regulations and Government
Puerto Rican FBO Opens Co-located U.S. Customs Facility
New general aviation facility was built in full compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) standards.
Aircraft
Embraer Bizjet Deliveries Fall Slightly, but Mix Better
Last year’s tally includes 73 Phenom light jets and 44 Legacy and Lineage large jets versus 82 Phenoms and 38 large jets in 2015.
