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
Avionics
Honeywell Obtains EASA Nod for RDR-7000 Weather Radar
Honeywell’s IntuVue RDR-7000 weather radar system for business jets and helicopters recently received EASA approval.
Charter & Fractional
Air Charter Expo Confirms Aircraft Static Display List
The Air Charter Association announced some of the business aircraft models that have been confirmed to be on static display next month at ACE 2021.
Charter & Fractional
NetJets Pauses Jet Card Sales as Demand Outpaces Supply
NetJets has “temporarily paused” all jet card sales to “prioritize the exceptional experiences we promise to deliver,” the company said this week.
Environment
Jetex Now Offering SAF at Paris Le Bourget FBO
Jetex announced this week that it is now stocking a permanent supply of sustainable aviation fuel produced by TotalEnergies at its Paris Le Bourget FBO.
Engines
Ampaire Begins Hybrid-electric Aircraft Trials in UK
Ampaire has begun demo flights of its hybrid-electric EEL in the UK as part of government-backed trials to advance sustainable aviation technologies.
Aircraft
Elliott Jets Guarantees Risk-free Aircraft Acquisitions
Business aircraft brokerage services provider Elliott Jets said it is now offering a risk-free, money-back guarantee on aircraft acquisitions.
Maintenance and Modifications
Bombardier Launches Mx App for Smart Link Plus Users
Bombardier released the myMaintenance app that allows Smart Link Plus users to track, troubleshoot, and manage aircraft service via smartphones and tablets
Engines
Rolls-Royce Modernizes Indianapolis Facilities
Rolls-Royce North America has completed a $500 million modernization program at its Indianapolis campus, where it manufacturers aircraft engines.
Aircraft
Gulfstream G500/600 OK'd for Lower-mtow Ops
The FAA OK'd a change that lowers the Gulfstream G500/600's maximum ramp and takeoff weights to comply with 75,000-pound limits at some airports.
Avionics
Honeywell Nears FAA Nod for Aspire 150/350
Honeywell has become a value-added manufacturer of aviation terminals that operate on the Iridium Next network as it nears certification of Aspire 150/350.
Maintenance and Modifications
Complete Aircraft Group Acquires Aerocare Aviation Services
UK-based aircraft tooling, parts, and components provider Complete Aircraft Group has acquired business aviation MRO Aerocare Aviation Services.
Environment
Tamarack Joins ICAO's Sustainable Aviation Council
Tamarack Aerospace has joined the ICAO Global Coalition for Sustainable Aviation, which brings stakeholders together to help reduce carbon emissions.
Avionics
Avionics Sales Eke Out Gain in 2Q, but Still Down YTD
Worldwide business and general aviation avionics sales fell 7.1 percent year-over-year, to roughly $1.07 billion, in the first six months.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Ingenio Snags Red Dot Awards for Cabin Tablet Holder
Ingenio Aerospace has won two Red Dot Design Awards for its business aircraft cabin tablet arm.
Airlines
2020 Worst Year on Record for Airlines, Says IATA
Thanks to the pandemic, last year marked the largest recorded decline in airline passengers transported since IATA recordkeeping began in the 1950s.
Maintenance and Modifications
Maintenance Pavilion Landing at NBAA-BACE 2021
This year’s NBAA-BACE will feature a Maintenance Pavillion that provides maintenance vendors with an opportunity to exhibit their products and services.
Avionics
EASA Gives Nod to Garmin Autoland in Cirrus Vision Jet
Cirrus Aircraft’s Vision Jet Safe Return Emergency Autoland system, which is based on Garmin’s Autoland technology, has received approval from EASA.
Avionics
Gulfstream Exceeds 500 Jet ConneX Installs on Large Jets
Gulfstream Aerospace has surpassed 500 installations of the Inmarsat Jet ConneX connectivity platform on large-cabin Gulfstreams.
Aircraft
Textron Aviation Realigns Denali under Beechcraft Brand
Textron Aviation’s new Denali turboprop single will now be branded as a Beechcraft as part of the company's high-performance turboprop product lineup.
Aircraft
FAA OKs QTA's Composite Inlet for Gulfstream G350/450
Quiet Technology Aerospace (QTA) carbon fiber engine inlet replacement barrel has been STC’d for the Gulfstream G350 and G450.
Maintenance and Modifications
Epic Adds Broadie's Aircraft to Service Network
Epic Aircraft has tapped Broadie’s Aircraft at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport as its authorized service center for the central southwest U.S.
Aircraft
Cirrus Aircraft's Vision Jet Gets Another Upgrade
Cirrus Aircraft has unveiled an upgraded G2+ Vision Jet with optimized engine performance, Gogo in-flight connectivity, and new exterior paint options.
Aircraft
Epic E1000 GX Obtains FAA Nod
Epic Aircraft’s new E1000 GX, which includes the Garmin GFC 700 and Hartzell five-blade composite prop, has received FAA approval.
Charter & Fractional
Luxaviation Opens Office in French Riviera
Luxaviation France has expanded to the French Riviera with the opening of an office on July 1 at Cannes Mandelieu Airport
Charter & Fractional
Wheels Up Now a Public Company Trading on NYSE
Private aviation charter and aircraft ownership services company Wheels Up successfully closed its IPO and will use proceeds to expand.
Aircraft
Garmin G1000 NXi for Phenom 100/300 Gets EASA Nod
EASA has approved the Garmin G1000 NXi upgrade for Embraer Phenom 100s and 300s equipped with the Prodigy Flight Deck.
Aircraft
Elit’Avia To Sell HondaJets in France, Parts of Africa
Honda Aircraft has chosen business aircraft sales and charter/management firm Elit’Avia as the HondaJet sales rep for France and 16 African countries.
Charter & Fractional
NetJets Pauses Light Jet Sales as Flight Demand Booms
NetJets has “temporarily paused” fractional share sales and leases for the Citation XLS and Phenom 300, and sales of all jet cards, due to high demand.
Regulations and Government
French Court Acquits Pilots in 'Air Cocaine' Case
The pilots of Dassault Falcon 50 F-GXMC—which was loaded with 1,500 pounds of cocaine—were acquitted on appeal by the French court of Aix-en-Provence.
Aircraft
Pilatus Refines PC-24 with New Cabin, Avionics Features
Pilatus has announced a slew of new cabin and avionics features for its PC-24 twinjet based on customer feedback from 50,000+ hours of fleet operations.
