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
Western Aircraft Celebrates 200th PC-12 Sale
On April 15, Western Aircraft became the first authorized Pilatus sales representative to sell 200 new PC-12s.
Regulations and Government
After Heathrow Incident, BACA Calls for Better UAV Regs
Association says that "reactive" regulations for UAVs is insufficient to keep drones from colliding with aircraft.
Charter & Fractional
Lily Jet Launches Jet Card Program
The minimum buy-in for its Global 5000 jet card is 50 hours, while the maximum is 300 hours.
Environment
Aviation Partners Winglets Conserve Six Million Gallons of Jet-A
Savings equivalent to the fuel used by approximately 12 million passenger cars being driven for a year.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
One-third of Asia Pacific Bizjet Fleet Is Midsize or Larger
Overall, 37 percent of the region’s fleet of business aircraft are in the midsize to large-cabin categories.
Fuel
World Fuel Expands Partnership with Deer Jet
Under new agreement, World Fuel will provide bizav support solutions for Deer Jet’s five FBOs and handling subsidiary Honor Aviation.
Fuel
Reignwood Takes Delivery of First Twin Otter in China; Orders 49 More
Over the next 12 months, Reignwood will establish a Twin Otter completions and service facility, as well as a pilot training center, in Zhuhai.
Aircraft
Honeywell: Demand Slowing for Bizjets, Helos in China
Business jet and helicopter markets in China have cooled due a slowing economy and an anti-luxury backlash.
Avionics
EAA Gets STC for ASTM'd Dynon EFIS in Certified Aircraft
“Breakthrough” will improve flight safety and reduce avionics upgrade costs for owners of certain type certified aircraft.
Maintenance and Modifications
Soloy Acquires Turbine Bonanza Conversion STC
Soloy Aviation originally worked with Allison Gas Turbine Division to secure the original FAA STC for the Bonanza turboprop conversion.
Training and Workforce
Redbird Flight Launches Pilot Proficiency Video Series
Video series host Brittney Miculka will travel to 10 locations across the U.S. to showcase the best in aviation education.
Aircraft
Quest Kodiak OK'd in New Zealand as Company Looks to Future
Quest president and CEO Sam Hill said Asia Pacific is the second-largest market for the turboprop.
Aircraft
Safe Flight AoA Indicator Now Standard on Cessna 172s
The dash-mounted system uses an LED-lit display and features a pilot-settable reference marker.
Aircraft
Piper M600 Makes Worldwide Debut at SNF 2016
Certification and first deliveries are planned for the third quarter.
Aircraft
Sonex Unveils New B-models at SNF 2016
Sun ’n’ Fun also marks the official opening of the Sonex and Waiex B-Model order book.
Sun 'n' Fun 2016 Kicks Off; Daily Airshows Honor Vets
It will also feature 500 exhibitors, a kids zone play area, tours, aircraft displays, car shows, evening entertainment, educational aviation sessions
Scheme Designers Holds Workshops, Scavenger Hunt at SNF
Workshops will offer guidelines and best design practices for aircraft that owners and companies to use when designing aircraft livery.
Third Annual SNF Aviation Career Fair Opens April 6
Recruiters will be on site to interview for openings at their respective aviation companies.
Rotorcraft
Chilean LOIs Move Bell 505 Orders Closer to 400 Mark
Latin American customers account for nearly a quarter of the five-seat helicopter’s backlog.
Charter & Fractional
Argus Provides Operator Ratings for SimpleCharters.com
Move allows consumers to perform due diligence on aircraft charter operators when checking availability and price online at SimpleCharters.com.
Charter & Fractional
Flexjet Officially Rolls Out Global Access Program
Program can be added to existing fractional ownership contracts or acquired via stand-alone leases, with hourly rates that decrease with distance flown.
Aircraft
Textron Aviation Expands Role for Aviasur in Chile
Santiago-based Aviasur now offer the complete Beechcraft and Cessna product lines to the Chilean market.
Avionics
Genesys HeliSAS STC'd for Retrofit on Robinson R66s
Stability augmentation system reduces single-pilot workload while providing precise “hands off” control of the aircraft during all modes of flight.
Safety
ICAO's New Bizav Fatigue Guidelines Shaped by NBAA, FSF
New guide provides science-based best practices to address fatigue in business aviation.
FBOs
Astra Aviation Opens Facility in Zimbabwe Capital
The new facility, Astra’s ninth in the region, includes a 28,590-sq-ft/2,656-sq-m hangar.
Aircraft Resale Association Nears 100 Members
All of the associations 98 members are required to follow a “strict” NARA code of ethics
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Swiss Re Adds Genav Insurance Team in SoCal
Team includes dedicated general aviation underwriters, assistants and claims representatives.
Regulations and Government
FAA: Aircraft-UAS Encounters Continue To Rise in U.S.
Aircraft pilots, ATC personnel and others reported 583 possible hazardsor encounters with UASs in U.S. airspace between August 22 and January 31.
Maintenance and Modifications
Gulfstream Brazil Services First Argentina-reg Aircraft
The large-cabin Gulfstream worked on is based at Ministro Pistarini International Airport near Buenos Aires.
Aircraft
Falcon 8X Nearing Certification Finish Line
French aircraft manufacturer is preparing to begin deliveries of the ultra-long range trijet this summer.
