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

A lawyer representing NBAA and other parties yesterday urged a three-judge panel at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to void the January 2017 agreement between the FAA and city of Santa Monica, California. The deal allows the city to shorten the runway and provides the option to close the Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) after 2028.

 


According to NBAA, the FAA exceeded its authority when making the “secret, one-of-its-kind” deal by defying the laws set by Congress, in addition to the FAA's guiding principles. During yesterday’s oral arguments in the case, NBAA and the other parties argued that overturning the settlement is the “right legal outcome, given that the agreement runs afoul of five legal requirements.”

 


Before the city and the FAA reached the agreement, the FAA had maintained that the city's obligation to preserve SMO lasted in perpetuity based on obligations included in a 1948 surplus-property deed.

 


In its court filings, NBAA said the FAA offered no explanation for the agreement; failed to engage the public, including airport users and tenants; did not comply with the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990; and violated several other statutes. The appeals court panel is expected to issue a ruling later this year.

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

NBAA Asks Judicial Panel To Void FAA's SMO Agreement

The deal allows the city to shorten the runway and provides the option to close the Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) after 2028.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Curt Epstein

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.

Palm Beach closure will accommodate work being done in the runway's surrounding area

KPBI To Shut Down Runway for Three Months

Charles Alcock

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

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.

Dubai's Road and Transport Authority is involved in construction of four vertiports

Joby and Skyports Start Building First Dubai Vertiport for eVTOL Air Taxis

Matt Thurber

Ballot measure would have ceded decisions on runway expansion to residents

Aspen Residents Vote for County Control of Airport

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.

Aircraft owners will no longer have to fly to other airports to buy fuel

High-octane Unleaded Avgas is Now Available at Reid-Hillview Airport in California

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

Reid-Hillview Starts Pumping High-octane Unleaded Avgas 

Jessica Reed

Strategic co-branding agreement bolsters ground support network

Universal Aviation Enters Portugal and Cape Verde with Safeport Partnership

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

More In Airports

KPBI To Shut Down Runway for Three Months

Palm Beach closure will accommodate work being done in the runway's surrounding area

Joby and Skyports Start Building First Dubai Vertiport for eVTOL Air Taxis

Dubai's Road and Transport Authority is involved in construction of four vertiports

Aspen Residents Vote for County Control of Airport

Ballot measure would have ceded decisions on runway expansion to residents

High-octane Unleaded Avgas is Now Available at Reid-Hillview Airport in California

Aircraft owners will no longer have to fly to other airports to buy fuel

Reid-Hillview Starts Pumping High-octane Unleaded Avgas

Aircraft owners will no longer have to fly to other airports to buy fuel

Universal Aviation Enters Portugal and Cape Verde with Safeport Partnership

Strategic co-branding agreement bolsters ground support network

Universal's ClearVision Adapts to Airport Lighting Changes

The ClearVision EVS-5000 features multispectral camera technology

Post-Milton, Florida Airports Pick Up the Pieces

Following the Category 3 storm, most Florida airports are back in service

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