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

Continental Motors, a subsidiary of Beijing-based Avic, partnered with STC and custom design and installation services firm ASI Innovation of Reims, France, to acquire the type certificate, inventory and manufacturing rights for the F406 twin turboprop from Reims Aviation, which was declared insolvent last year. The F406 is an unpressurized, 14-passenger airplane manufactured by Reims Aviation and originally designed in cooperation with Cessna in the early 1980s.


“We are pleased by the acquisition of this great airframe,” said Continental Motors president Rhett Ross. “We will be excited to see it return to production in both a turbine- and piston-engine configuration to meet global demand for a cost-effective twin-engine utility aircraft.”


As the companies work to bring the F406 back into production, ASI will control all business related to government applications for the aircraft, while Continental will focus on commercial applications and restarting production. In addition, ASI will become a distributor for Continental Motor products in Europe, as well as developing customer-specified STCs as needed for the reborn F406.

Continental Motors To Put F406 Back Into Production

The F406 twin turboprop will return to production under a partnership between Continental and ASI Innovation.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN