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
Embraer Starts Legacy 450/500 Production in U.S.
Up to 600 new employees will be added at the U.S. facility for Legacy production.
Training and Workforce
Simulation Training Teams with SimCom on Paris Center
Companies will open a general and business aviation training center in Paris near Charles de Gaulle Airport this November.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Gogo Cloud Expands into Europe
Customers of Gogo Vision, the company’s in-flight entertainment service, can automatically receive updates when they visit a Gogo Cloud location.
Aircraft
Slowly but Surely, Aerion Presses Ahead with AS2 Supersonic Bizjet
Several existing core engines suitable for adaptation to the needs of supersonic flight have already been identified by the hopeful SSBJ manufacturer.
Aircraft
Flexjet Seals Agreement with Nextant at EBACE
Nextant is upgrading eight of Flexjet’s 21 400XTis to meet European mandates, as well as refresh the cabin and repaint the exterior.
Maintenance and Modifications
Western Aircraft Installs First Elite II Upgrade
Installation in Falcon 900EX updates it to meet ADS-B OUT mandate, reduce crew workload and enable WAAS-LPV and RNP approaches.
UAS Demos Self-service Flight-planning Platform
FlightEvolution allows schedulers, dispatchers and flight crews to plan every aspect of a trip without any other outside help.
Aircraft
Embraer Starts Legacy 450/500 Production in U.S.
All Phenom assembly will be also shifted to Embraer’s Florida facility as of July 1.
Aircraft
Embraer Legacy 500 Approved for Ops at London City Airport
The Legacy 500 that performed this demonstration is the 1,000th business jet that Embraer has delivered, and joined Flexjet’s fleet last month.
Aircraft
HondaJet Gets European Nod
Follows U.S. FAA approval in December and Mexican DGAC validation in March.
Charter & Fractional
Flexjet To Start European Ops by Year-end
Raymond Jones will head Flexjet’s non-U.S. operations as managing director for international.
Training and Workforce
FlightSafety Expanding Upset Recovery Program
Added will be the Cessna Citation CJ3; Gulfstream G450 and G650; Beechcraft King Air 350; and Pilatus PC-12.
Training and Workforce
FlightBag App Enhances FlightSafety’s e-Courseware
New iOS app and web-based version will be available for use in pilot, maintenance technician and flight attendant courses.
Training and Workforce
FlightSafety International Expands Gulfstream Training
Rejected takeoff course is now available for GIV, GV, G450, G550 and G650, while G650 sim training to be added at Farnborough center.
Maintenance and Modifications
Honeywell Taps FlightSafety International for Maintenance Training
FlightSafety will offer training for Honeywell engines, auxiliary power systems, avionics, satcoms and environmental control systems
Training and Workforce
APG Adds Temporary Obstacle Tool to iPreFlight App
Tool allows iPreFlight users to enter temporary obstacles at known locations for inclusion in runway analysis performance calculations.
App Makes Perfect Aircraft Holding Patterns a Breeze
Holding Pattern Computer app takes the wind into account and also calculates whether to turn left or right to enter the pattern.
Regulations and Government
Fake Nav Invoices on the Rise, Flight Planner Warns
Red flag are incorrect email domain names; asking for a copy of an invoice or payment; or a notification of a change in payment bank account information.
Airports
NetJets Partners with London Heliport
Now rebranded NetJets London Heliport, the port also recently celebrated its 500,000th movement.
Avionics
Upgrade for Kings Airs with Pro Line 21 Adds SVS, ADS-B
The three packages have been tailored to meet the needs of all Pro Line 21-equipped King Airs and include ADS-B OUT and synthetic vision.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Guide Shows How Flight Departments Can Integrate UASs
Resource from NBAA provides background information on small unmanned aerial systsmes and a checklist for vetting sUAS service providers.
Argus: North American Bizav Traffic Hiccups in April
Business aviation activity in North America declined for the first time since March 2015, falling 0.6 percent year-over-year in April.
JetNet: Bizjet Inventory Takes 'Step Backwards' in 1Q
At the end of last month, 11.7 percent of the in-service business jet fleet was for sale, up from 11.4 percent last year.
Maintenance and Modifications
Bell Helicopter's Prague Facility Takes on Larger Role
New two-bay paint shop and delivery center make the Prague facility Bell's regional customization, delivery and aftermarket service center in Europe.
Charter & Fractional
SevenJet Revives Fractional Avanti Service
This marks the return of a fractional program for the Italian twin turboprop since Avantair ceased operations in June 2013.
ABS Jets Helps Refine Honeywell's In-flight Weather App
Under the effort, ABS Jets’ crews and operations personnel have worked with Honeywell on design and validation of new features.
Maintenance and Modifications
Empire Aviation To Market Citation X, Sovereign Winglets
To date, almost a third of Citation X owners have opted to have these winglets installed, and the winglets are standard equipment on the Citation X+.
Rotorcraft
With FAA Papers in Hand, R44 Cadet Now Ready for Duty
The training helicopter has the same airframe, rotor system and Lycoming O-540-F1B5 as the R44 Raven I, but the Cadet’s rear seats are removed.
European Bizav Flying Recovers in April
Year-to-date, flying in the region is still trailing 2015 by 1.6 percent.
Cape Town To Host AfBAA's Inaugural Annual Convention
Complementing regular panel sessions, keynote speeches and presentations, the convention will include “fireside chats” with influential aviation leaders.
