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
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.
Maintenance and Modifications
Advent Starts FAA Trials of PC-12 Anti-lock Brakes
All PC-12 models are eligible for eABS installation, provided the aircraft is equipped with a Waas-enabled GPS.
Aircraft
Duncan: Orders Flying in for CJ3 Fusion Avionics Upgrade
The cockpit upgrade replaces Pro Line 21 portrait-oriented displays with three larger 14.1-inch touchscreen displays in landscape format.
Maintenance and Modifications
Duncan Beefs Up Bizjet Support in Mexico, Southwest U.S.
Business aircraft operators in Mexico are looking for more options for quick AOG engine support.
Haas Takes Over Gulfstream's Global Marketing Efforts
She reports directly to Gulfstream president Mark Burns and is part of the company’s leadership team.
Aircraft
Garmin G5000 Gets FAA STC for Beechjets
The G5000 system features three 12-inch flight displays, dual touchscreen display controllers, integrated autopilot, TAWS, ADS-B and weather radar.
Aircraft
Piaggio Flies First Avanti EVO Produced at New Plant
The EVO is due to be delivered next month to an unidentified customer.
Charter & Fractional
Air Charter Broker Helps Save the Day for Rescued Dogs
Flight was financially sponsored by equestrian and animal lover Georgina Bloomberg, daughter of former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Regulations and Government
NBAA: New U.S. IFR Flight Plan Format Coming in 2017
Pilots need to familiarize themselves with the new codes, which are intended to maximize efficiency in the National Airspace System.
Safety
Jeppesen Previews SID/STAR Charts Improvements
Improvements to the arrival and departure charts include introducing colors to identify what pilot’s consider to be the most pertinent information.
Aircraft
Cessna Moving Caravan Production to Independence Plant
Cessna has been building Caravans in Wichita continuously since it received FAA approval for the type in 1984.
