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
Piper M600 Wins Mexican Nod
This marks the first approval of the new turboprop single in Central and South America.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
$178B Needed To Fund Bizjet Deliveries over Next Decade
Global Jet Capital claims the bulk of these purchases will rely on loans and leases.
Safety
Saudia Private Aviation Taps Wyvern for Risk Management
Under the agreement, Wyvern will provide updated operational and technical manuals to SPA that comply with newly implemented regulations.
Mayo Clinic Pilot Health Service Added to USAIG Safety Program
ProPilot functions as the flight department's out-of-house medical director, working supportively and proactively to sustain pilots’ medical certification.
Aircraft
Milestone 800th TBM Delivered to Elliott Aviation
According to Daher, the TBM 700 was the first civilian pressurized single turboprop aircraft to be certified, entering full production in 1991.
Charter & Fractional
XOJet Allies with JetSmarter for Real-time Booking Apps
As part of the alliance, XOJet has named JetSmarter as the exclusive digital distribution channel for the company’s fleet of midsize jets.
Rotorcraft
UBS: Pre-owned Helicopter Inventory Dips a Bit in August
There were 1,364 pre-owned helicopters available for sale at the end of August, which equates to 6 percent of the installed base.
U.S. Bizav Flying Roars Back to Life in August
All aircraft categories saw increases last month, with large-cabin jets leading the way with a 6.1-percent year-over-year surge.
Regulations and Government
Survey: Nearly 50% Might Sell Bizcraft if User Fees Implemented
Looking at the Presidential slate, half believe that Donald Trump would act in the best interests of business aviation.
Aircraft
Beechcraft Hawker 400XPr Upgrade STC'd by FAA
Upgrade includes winglets, Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 retrofit avionics and replacement Williams International FJ44-4A-32 engines.
FBOs
Talon Air Joins Signature FBO Network as Affiliate
Talon Air's facility at Republic Airport includes more than 100,000-sq-ft of hangar, executive terminal and office space.
Charter & Fractional
Clay Lacy Aviation, Key Air To Merge
The combined company will forward as Clay Lacy Aviation, representing more than 75 aircraft in 15 U.S. locations, two FBOs and four maintenance centers.
Charter & Fractional
Wheels Up Formalizes Care Program, Intros Teal Airplane
Wheels Up Cares will raise awareness and funds for causes important to the company and its members.
Charter & Fractional
Argus-rated Operators, Brokers Get Break on AOG Protect
AOG Protect limits financial losses associated with charter flights that have been grounded for mechanical or other issues.
Regulations and Government
Corporate Pilot Launches Cuba Handling Company
Cuba Handling will secure aircraft permits, flight logistics, visas and passenger itineraries for private aircraft operators.
Maintenance and Modifications
AirFlyte Adds Falcon 900, Global Express to Mx Roster
The MRO also has a maintenance base in Sarasota, Florida, and is setting up an aircraft maintenance shop at Hanscom Field, near Boston.
Maintenance and Modifications
Comlux America Reports Busy Year for Bizliner Work
So far this year, the facility has completed three VIP bizliners a “steady stream” of maintenance and upgrade projects.
Aircraft
Quest Lands Chilean Approval for Kodiak 100
Earlier this year, Quest named Santiago, Chile-based Aeroservicio as its authorized Kodiak sales representative for Chile.
ATC
Fans 1/A Aircraft on NAT Will Need To 'Confirm' Route
Message acts as a means to check the downlinked route from the aircraft against the route held in the flight data processing system.
Training and Workforce
Bombardier's Dallas Bizav Training Facility Turns 15
The facility—which offers courses for Learjet, Challenger and Global pilots and maintenance technicians—has trained more than 45,000 customers since 2001.
Charter & Fractional
Wheels Up Launches College Football Air Shuttle Service
Shuttle flights are scheduled to arrive two hours before kickoff and return one hour after the game ends.
Aircraft
Piper Secures Production Certificate for M600 T-prop
The move allows Piper to produce, flight test and issue airworthiness certificates for the M600 for customer deliveries.
Charter & Fractional
Avinode: Hours Matter When Quoting Air Charter Trips
Avinode found that 19 percent of the trips are booked the day of travel, while 20 percent are scheduled just one day in advance.
WingX: Russia, Turkey Drag Down European Bizav Flying
Overall, there were 74,689 business aviation departures in Europe last month, with the UK and France being the “main growth impetus."
Engines
Additive Manufacturing To Eliminate 845 Parts on GE's ATP Turboprop
Using additive “represents an elimination of thousands of machining features and inspections, and hundreds of quality plants and procure contracts."
Argus: 2016 U.S. Bizav Flying on Great Trajectory
Activity continued to be strong in the Part 91 and 135 segments in the first half, while the fractional industry experienced “slight growth."
Charter & Fractional
XOJet Pilots Can Now Get a Lyft to Work
The company’s pilots can use Lyft for transport to and from the airport and hotel accommodations, while the expense reimbursement process is automated.
Charter & Fractional
Air Partner Expands Its NYC Presence
The company believes there is “strong demand” in the area for its private aircraft charter offerings, particularly its JetCard product.
Aircraft
Gulfstream Launches Performance App for G650/G650ER
It can calculate balanced and unbalanced field lengths and speeds, takeoff speed distance visualization and remaining stopping distance, among others.
Charter & Fractional
BACA: Cyber Attacks on Charter Operators, Brokers Rising
The escalation of attacks on business aviation operators and brokers in recent months has been “quite alarming,” the Baltic Air Charter Association said.
