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
Bizjet Market Outlook Cloudy, Says Industry Analyst
New bizjet deliveries are expected to climb this year, though sales are projected to be more sluggish as world economies slow and recessionary risk rises.
Maintenance and Modifications
Naples Jet Center Gets Brazil ANAC Nod for Mx
Florida-based Naples Jet Center received Brazil ANAC approval to provide airframe, engine, and avionics services for Brazil-registered business aircraft.
Accidents
NTSB Head: Part 135 Needs Same Safety Tools as Airlines
NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt said the May 2017 crash of a Learjet makes the case that Part 135 operators need the same safety tools as the airlines have.
Regulations and Government
FAA-EU Pacts Expand Aviation Market Access
Two agreements signed last week between FAA and European Union officials have further opened market access on both side of the Atlantic.
FBOs
Metrojet Breaks Ground on Philippines FBO/MRO Complex
Business aviation service provider Metrojet has broke ground on a 279,862-sq-ft FBO/MRO facility at Clark International Airport in Pampanga, Philippines.
Pistons Buoy Bizav Activity in Europe, Says WingX
Business aviation departures in Europe rose 1.7 percent year-over-year last month, thanks to a “big increase” in piston traffic.
Aerion Adds More Leaders to Team
Aerion continues to recruit executives and engineers, as well as refine its board of directors, as it preps to bring the AS2 supersonic bizjet to market.
Gulfstream Aerospace Expands Leadership Team
Gulfstream is promoting Colin Miller to senior v-p of innovation, engineering and flight, and Greg Collett to senior v-p of manufactucturing and completion
More Features Added To Mars Aircraft Dashboard
Sutton has eased fligth and data importing to its Mars online aircraft dashboard, as well as added customizable owner's reports and a new calendar view.
Aircraft
Eviation Taps Siemens for Alice's Electric Motors
Eviation Aircraft has selected Siemens to provide high-power, electric propulsion systems for the nine-passenger Alice.
Maintenance and Modifications
RUAG Australia Gets EASA Part 145 Nod
RUAG Australia has gained EASA Part 145 approval, allowing it to perform component MRO and line support for European-registered aircraft.
Simhawk Rebrands, Expands Online Aviation Marketplace
imhawk has rebranded to Avmkt to reflect the expanded services it is now offering through its online aviation marketplace.
Training and Workforce
Purdue Adding FSI-built Hawker 900XP Simulator
Purdue is adding an FAA level-D Hawker 900XP simulator that will allow Purdue to be the only university to offer Hawker simulator training
Charter & Fractional
Flexjet Sues NJASAP for 'Intimidation' in Decert Vote
Suit alleges the NetJets pilot union sent hundreds of "vulgar, threatening, and malicious mailings" to the homes of Flexjet company managers and employees.
Aircraft
Bombardier Bizjet Deliveries Set To Climb in 2019
Bombardier delivered 137 bizjets last year, down one from 2017, and expects to hand over 150 to 155 this year as it ramps up production of its Global 7500.
Maintenance and Modifications
Gulfstream To Close Service Center in Brazil
“After considerable research and evaluation,” Gulfstream Aerospace is closing its service center at Bertram Luiz Leupolz Airport in Sorocaba, Brazil.
Charter & Fractional
MemberJets Launches Per-seat Charter Flight Platform
MemberJets has launched a platform that enables charter brokers and aircraft operators to sell per-seat charter flights.
Maintenance and Modifications
Western Jet Turns 20, Expands Gulfstream Mx Services
Business aviation services company Western Jet Aviation has expanded its existing full-service Gulfstream maintenance capabilities to include the G650.
Maintenance and Modifications
Gulfstream Beefs Up European and Asia Support
Gulfstream boosted its customer support resources in Europe and Asia, adding maintenance hangar space at Paris-Le Bourget and more capabilities in Beijing.
U.S. Bizav Flying Bounces Back in January
Business aviation activity in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean climbed 0.7 percent year-over-year in January, in line with expectations.
Industry Needs Pilots, Mx Techs Now, Says NBAA Chief
NBAA plans to focus this year on working to alleviate business aviation’s acute workforce shortage.
Aircraft
Boeing Partners with Aerion, Bets Big on Supersonics
Boeing today announced a partnership with Aerion Corp. and further made a “significant,” but undisclosed, investment in the supersonic bizjet developer.
Avionics
Astronautics To Consolidate Milwaukee Facilities
Astronautics is relocating its Milwaukee-area facilities to allow for further expansion and to be in closer proximity to General Mitchell Intl. Airport.
FBOs
Heritage Aviation Achieves Benefit Corp. Status
Heritage Aviation has converted to a Vermont Benefit Corp., which requires it to consider social responsibility to employees, environment, and community.
Honda Aircraft Settles with DOJ over Hiring Error
Honda Aircraft will pay a civil penalty for requiring job applicants to have a specific citizenship status due to a “misunderstanding" of requirements.
Maintenance and Modifications
Whelen Engineering Acquires LoPresti Aviation
Chester, Connecticut-based Whelen Engineering acquired LoPresti Aviation and spun off its aviation division to combine the aviation lighting companies into
FBOs
American Aero Nets Everest Fuel Award for Excellence
American Aero FTW at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport is among the first FBOs to receive the inaugural Everest Fuel Preferred Award.
Avionics
As ADS-B Mandate Looms, ACSS Ships 10,000th NXT Unit
With U.S. and European ADS-B Out mandates nearing, ACSS announced yesterday that it has delivered the 10,000th production unit of its NXT Mode S transponde
FBOs
Air Culinaire Releases Bizav Catering Menu App
Air Culinaire Worldwide has launched a new mobile app that enables clients to access global menus, in-flight catering tools, and culinary resources.
Avionics
Garmin Now Shipping ADS-B GPS Source for Legacy 600/650
Garmin is now shipping its standalone GPS 3000 WAAS/SBAS position sensor that interfaces with existing avionics to help meet ADS-B Out requirements.
