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
Gulf Coast Upgrades King Air with Garmin G600 TXi Panel
Gulf Coast Avionics has completed its first dual Garmin G600 TXi touchscreen avionics upgrade on a Beechcraft King Air B200.
FBOs
PE Firm Takes Majority Interest in Elliott Aviation
Private investment firm Summit Park on Friday acquired a majority interest in Moline, Illinois-based business aviation FBO/MRO provider Elliott Aviation.
Aircraft
Embraer's Best-selling Jet Gets Even More Phenomenal
Embraer Executive Jets announced an upgraded Phenom 300 that can fly faster and further, offers a quieter cabin, and has more capable avionics.
Rotorcraft
Bell Ends 2019 on Solid Footing
Bell delivered more civil helicopters in both the fourth quarter and all of 2019 than it did in the corresponding periods of the previous year.
Aircraft
Sales, Deliveries, Revenues Soar at Gulfstream
Fourth-quarter sales soared 54 percent year-over-year at Gulfstream Aerospace, resulting in the second-best quarter ever.
Aircraft
Analysts: Bombardier's Bizjet Unit Could Be Sold
Business aviation analysts Brian Foley and Rolland Vincent believe financial woes at Bombardier could lead to the sale of its business jet division.
Airports
Universal Aviation Lands in Turkey
Universal Aviation is now providing ground support for business aircraft at Ataturk Airport (LTBA) in Istanbul, Turkey.
Environment
World Fuel Offers SAF Offset for WEF-bound Bizjets
World Fuel Services and World Energy are offering a sustainable aviation fuel program for bizjets flying from three U.S. airports to the WEF in Davos.
U.S. Bizav Flying Ends 2019 on a High Note
Business aircraft flights in North America and the Caribbean soared 6.9 percent year-over-year in December as weekend activity surged.
TECT Aero Completes Acquisition of Triumph Nashville
Wichita-based TECT Aerospace has completed the acquisition of structural assembly operations and all associated assets in Nashville from Triumph Group.
Euro Bizav Flying Up in December, but Down in 2019
Business aircraft flight activity in Europe climbed 2.9 percent year-over-year last month, but full-year activity was down 1.6 percent versus 2018.
ATC
FAA Bans Flight over Iran, Iraq, and Some Gulf Waters
Following Iranian attacks on U.S. bases in Baghdad, the FAA has prohibited U.S. civil operators from overflying the airspace in and around Iraq and Iran.
Aircraft
Falcon Deliveries Flat at Dassault; 6X Remains on Track
Dassault Aviation delivered 40 Falcon business jets last year, one fewer than in 2018, while it continues apace on the Falcon 6X program.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
SmartSky Ups Funding, Delays Network Launch to 2Q20
In-flight connectivity service provider SmartSky Networks has received $25 million more in funding and delayed commercial network launch to mid-2020.
Latécoère To Buy Bombardier's Mexico Wiring Systems Biz
Latécoère has inked a definitive agreement to acquire Bombardier’s electrical wiring interconnection system business in Querétaro, Mexico, for $50 million.
Aircraft
Top-tier Bizjet OEMs To Stay the Course in 2021
After a rocky 2020, the leading business jet manufacturers are expected to continue work on already-in-development new models.
Aircraft
Bizav OEM Outlook Anything but 20/20 in New Year
Business aircraft deliveries are expected to rise in 2020, but economic and political headwinds could cause an industry slowdown.
Aircraft
Learjet 75 Liberty Mockup Lands in Scottsdale
A full-scale cabin mockup of the Bombardier Learjet 75 Liberty will make a three-day appearance next week in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Aircraft
Embraer E175-E2 Begins Flight-test Campaign
Embraer's E175-E2 made its first flight today from the company’s headquarters in São José dos Campos, Brazil, kicking off a 24-month flight-test campaign.
Avionics
Thales, StandardAero Team on Light Helo Autopilot
StandardAero and Thales signed an agreement to jointly develop and certify an advanced autopilot system for several light helicopters, including the AS350.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Duncan Plunges into Hydrographics for Cabin Components
Duncan Aviation has delivered a Gulfstream G150 and Bombardier Challenger 300 with countertops created using hydrographic printing, a new finish option.
Aircraft
Gulfstream Mod Ends G650/650ER Speed Restriction
Gulfstream released a service change for the G650/650ER that modifies the rudder trailing edge contour to prevent yawing in the event of rudder failure.
Charter & Fractional
NetJets Launches Security Services Subsidiary
NetJets has added global security to its portfolio, initially offering security packages for Paris Le Bourget and Mexico, with plans to expand globally.
Aircraft
Gulfstream Delivers 400th G650-family Twinjet
Gulfstream Aerospace yesterday delivered the 400th G650/650ER, some five years after the first of the ultra-long-range twinjets entered service.
Aircraft
Bombardier Global Assembly Moving to Toronto Pearson
Bombardier is moving final assembly of Global family aircraft from Toronto Downsview Airport to Toronto Pearson International Airport in 2023.
Maintenance and Modifications
Embraer Exec Jets Expands Mx Footprint at FLL
Embraer Services & Support has expanded its executive jets service center at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport via a hangar lease.
Aircraft
Pilatus Aircraft Delivers 1,700th PC-12
Pilatus Aircraft this week handed over the 1,700th PC-12 some 25 years after the turboprop single entered service.
Avionics
Ingenio, Dassault Team on PED Solutions for Falcons
Ingenio Aerospace has teamed with Dassault Falcon to develop “plug and play” personal electronic device receptacles for Falcon 2000, 900 and 7X cabins.
Aircraft
Gulfstream Starts European Deliveries of G500
Gulfstream Aerospace has begun deliveries of its G500 in Europe, with the first for the region handed over to an undisclosed charter operator.
Environment
GDC Technics, APC Win USAF Demo Contract for C-130J, C-5 Wingtips
GDC Technics and Aircraft Performance Co. (APC) have been awarded a demonstration contract for an advanced technology wingtip solution from the USAF.
