Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;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&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;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.

Online Editor

Chad Trautvetter

The next decade will usher in a new era of tightened purchase scrutiny for helicopters, according to business and general aviation analyst Brian Foley. He still predicts growing sales of helicopters over the period, “But most–if not all–will require an indisputable, virtually airtight business-case justification. This could prolong the sales process, so smart buyers and sellers will plan further ahead.” Additionally, Foley believes rotary-wing manufacturers need to provide better evidence that fleet replacement or growth is a sounder financial choice than it might appear at first glance. “This could include such things as reduced ownership costs or showing how a new model’s additional utility can cut expenses or increase revenue–all the classical quantitative arguments,” he noted.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Helo Sales Will Face More Scrutiny

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Making flying easier and safer is company's goal

Skyryse Unveils Cockpit Design for Fly-by-wire R66

Charles Alcock

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Tools can be freely downloaded for use by companies and organizations

EASA Releases Rotorcraft Noise Software and Database

Helicopters will fly for law enforcement and emergency medical operations

Bahrain Orders Nine Airbus H145 Helicopters for Police

Operators in Argentina, the EU, India, and Japan can now install the empennage kit

Robinson Symmetrical Stabilizer Acquires New Approvals

AmyWilder

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Lithium-ion battery STC expands options for helicopter operators 

Airwolf Aerospace Gets Brazil STC for TB17 Batteries 

Jessica Reed

LifeFlight's Mount Isa-based helicopter team rescued the couple and their two dogs

Helicopter Crew Makes Rescue in Australian Outback

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

More In Rotorcraft

Skyryse Unveils Cockpit Design for Fly-by-wire R66

Making flying easier and safer is company's goal

EASA Releases Rotorcraft Noise Software and Database

Tools can be freely downloaded for use by companies and organizations

Bahrain Orders Nine Airbus H145 Helicopters for Police

Helicopters will fly for law enforcement and emergency medical operations

Robinson Symmetrical Stabilizer Acquires New Approvals

Operators in Argentina, the EU, India, and Japan can now install the empennage kit

Airwolf Aerospace Gets Brazil STC for TB17 Batteries

Lithium-ion battery STC expands options for helicopter operators

Helicopter Crew Makes Rescue in Australian Outback

LifeFlight's Mount Isa-based helicopter team rescued the couple and their two dogs

Vita Rescue System Hoist Is Qualified by U.S. Army

Testing was also conducted by the Air Force

Subaru Bell 412EPX Certified by EASA

European operators can now fly the helicopter in EU countries

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN