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
Business Jet Analysts Provide Promising Market Outlook for 2014 and Beyond
Some long awaited good news for a beleaguered industry.
Rotorcraft
At Textron, Aviation Segment Rises, but Bell Slips
Textron’s aviation division delivered 35 Cessna Citations and eight King Airs during the first quarter, while Bell shipped 34 helicopters.
Regulations and Government
FAA Teams with Genav Groups on Aviation Weather Safety
Safety campaign website will feature monthly weather topics such as turbulence, thunderstorms, icing, crosswinds and pilot resources.
Embraer Revenues, Profits Climb in 1Q14
At its Executive Jets division, first-quarter revenue soared to $267.4 million, up from $175.3 million a year ago.
Rotorcraft
CAE and Lider Aviaçao Team on S-92 Pilot Training in São Paulo
The S-92 training program under the joint venture will support flight training for all of Lider’s S-92 pilots.
Learjet 85 Prototype Flying with Structural Health Monitoring System
System installed by Bombardier on the left and right panels of the aircraft’s composite vertical stabilizer.
Rotorcraft
Air Medical Group Opts for HeliSAS Autopilots for its Fleet of 210 Helicopters
Two-axis autopilot and stability augmentation systems will be installed in its fleet of helicopters over the next three years.
After Mounting Delays, Learjet 85 Flies
The Bombardier Learjet 85 prototype - designated as flight-test vehicle one - successfully completed its maiden flight on April 9.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Honeywell and AT&T Team on 4G Broadband in the Sky
AT&T’s national 4G network has download speeds ranging from 16.65 to 66.11 Mbps and upload speeds of 7.43 Mbps.
FlightSafety Building New Training Center in Columbus
Construction of the new facility will be completed in two phases.
Regulations and Government
FAA Prohibits Flights over Crimea and Surrounding Areas
The FAA said the rule was prompted by the Russian Federation’s issuance of a notam on March 28 “purporting to establish unilaterally a new FIR.”
Argus SMS Software Now Includes Aircrew Fatigue Meter
Aviation fatigue meter was developed and backed by years of research by leading sleep and fatigue specialists.
Airbus Group Publicly Flies All-electric Aircraft Demonstrator
The all-composite, electric E-Fan training aircraft is a technology experimental demonstrator.
Charter & Fractional
Mesinger Jet Sales To Assist Royal Jet with Fleet Renewal
Mesinger Jet Sales will help Royal Jet with the acquisition of the newer aircraft, as well as disposal of the three older jets.
Student Day at ABACE 2014 Deemed a Success
Approximately 100 Chinese aviation university students were welcomed to ABACE 2014 on Student Day.
General Dynamics Soars on Wings of Gulfstream
Gulfstream delivered 39 completed aircraft during the first quarter, a 34.5-percent increase from a year ago.
Corporate Angel Network Flies 45,000th Cancer Patient
Flight carried 22-year-old patient Todd Blake home to Central Florida after treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma at Columbia University in New York City.
Textron Aviation Lays Off 750 As It Integrates Cessna and Beechcraft
Reductions affect salaried and hourly employees in management and non-management positions.
Deliveries Up but Sales and Deliveries Down in 1Q14 at Dassault Falcon
Dassault delivered nine Falcons in the first quarter, one more than it did in the same period a year ago.
Bombardier Safety Standdown 2014 To Focus on Cockpit Distractions
Free seminars will be held in São Paulo, Brazil, on August 11 and in Wichita from October 6 to 9.
African Aviation Groups Team To Promote Bizav in Region
Alliance will promote business aviation “as an efficient and safe mode of transport across the continent of Africa.”
Minsheng’s Order for 60 Gulfstreams Adds to 2011 MoU
Minsheng now has orders for up to 110 Gulfstreams - a mix of G280s, G450s, G550s and G650s - worth an estimated $5.6 billion.
Regulations and Government
NBAA Welcomes Status Quo on EU-ETS until Next ICAO Assembly
The EC agreed last Monday to extend the “stop the clock” provision affecting non-European operators until fall 2016.
Argus, T3 Private Jets Asia Form Partnership
Relationship will increase the efficiency and timeliness of providing Argus’ aircraft operator audits and aviation services in Asia.
Aircraft
Composites Atlantic To Supply Composite Parts for Global 7000/8000 Horizontal Stabilizer
Company will ship parts to Bombardier’s plant in Belfast, N. Ireland, which is responsible for manufacturing horizontal stabilizers for Globals.
ATC
Aviation Groups Urge Congress To Fund Contract Towers in FY2015
$149 million was allocated for the contract tower program in Fiscal Year 2014.
Rotorcraft
Xinjiang Tianyun General Aviation Opts for Bell 407GX
Chinese company will use the helicopter for sightseeing tours, executive transport and agriculture support.
Regulations and Government
FAA Finishes ADS-B Ground Network
Installation of this radio network clears the way for air traffic controllers to begin using ADS-B to separate equipped aircraft.
Charter & Fractional
Executive AirShare’s Customer Base Soared 37% in 2013
Fractional expects this year to be even better based on its first-quarter growth during what is normally the company’s slowest season of the year.
