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 U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas has sentenced Debra Lynn Mercer-Erwin, owner of the Wright Brothers Aircraft Title Co. and Aircraft Guaranty Holdings Corp., to 16 years in federal prison, five years of supervised release, and a $400 special assessment, the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG) said yesterday. According to the DOT-OIG, Mercer-Erwin and others carried out a scheme to further international drug trafficking using business aircraft.
She was <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2023-05-05/former-bizjet-escrow-exec-guilty-drug-trafficking">found guilty</a> in May 2023 of conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud, possessing cocaine with intent to distribute, and distributing cocaine knowing it would be imported into the U.S. Under the scheme, Mercer-Erwin and others registered aircraft with the FAA while concealing that foreign nationals owned the aircraft, and falsely claimed they would adhere to all regulatory and statutory requirements.
According to prosecutors, several of the illegally registered and exported aircraft were used by transnational criminal organizations in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico to smuggle large quantities of cocaine destined for the U.S. The illicit proceeds from the subsequent drug sales were then transported as bulk cash from the U.S. to Mexico and used to buy more aircraft and cocaine.
Aircraft purchases were typically completed by foreign nationals, working for transnational criminal organizations, who came to the U.S. with drug proceeds and purchased business aircraft.

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.

Former Business Jet Escrow Exec Sentenced in Drug Trafficking Scheme

Judge gives sentence of 16 years in federal prison

A former aircraft title executive found guilty of fraud and drug trafficking was sentenced to 16 years in federal prison.

Former Bizjet Escrow Exec Sentenced in Drug Scheme

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A pilot, Graves is active in general aviation

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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.

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

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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.

More In Regulations and Government

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