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
Aircraft
First flights in the past 50 years (January and February)
These aircraft took to the skies for the first time during January and February, from 1972 through 2021
Bizav Market Boom Overflies China
Business aviation is flourishing globally amid the pandemic, with a notable exception: China.
Aircraft
Dassault Beats Falcon Delivery Forecast, Backlog Rises
Dassault Aviation delivered five more Falcons than it forecast last year while backlog grew for the French-made business jets grew to 55 aircraft.
December Bizav Flying Remains Strong Despite Omicron
Global business aviation flight activity last month surged 43.7 percent from a year ago, with North America posting the strongest December on record.
Environment
JSSI Puts Sustainability under the Tree This Year
To celebrate the holidays, JSSI is purchasing enough carbon credits to offset several thousand tonnes of carbon emissions on behalf of its clients.
Engines
Aussie Firm Picks P&WC PT6A for Modernized Albatross
Amphibian Aerospace Industries has selected the P&WC PT6A-67F engine for its modernized version of the Albatross amphibious twin.
Accidents
Nine Killed in Dominican Republic GIV-SP Crash
Seven passengers and two crewmembers were killed yesterday evening when a GIV-SP crashed shortly after takeoff while attempting a diversionary landing.
Aircraft
Airbus Flies First ACJ TwoTwenty
The first Airbus ACJ TwoTwenty completed its first flight yesterday from Montreal Mirabel International Airport.
Training and Workforce
Redbird Flight Simulations Plots $2.2M Expansion
Austin, Texas-based Redbird Flight Simulations is expanding its footprint with a new 50,000-sq-ft facility in nearby Kyle.
Environment
4AIR Teams with Cambridge on Net Zero Flight Initiative
4AIR has partnered with the Aviation Impact Accelerator (AIA)—led by the University of Cambridge—to help achieve further emissions reductions.
Charter & Fractional
Green Benefits Extend Beyond Environmental Impact
For business aircraft operators, the benefits of sustainability can yield competitive advantages, not just a smaller environmental footprint.
Environment
4AIR: Start Small with Sustainability Goals
Business aviation operators seeking to become more sustainable should set small goals and then increase it later, according to 4AIR COO Nancy Bsales.
Environment
SAF Is Key To Reducing Bizav's Direct Emissions
Sustainable aviation fuel is the only pathway for flight departments to meaningfully reduce Scope 1 (direct) emissions, according to a fuel expert.
Environment
Europe, U.S. Take Differing Approaches to SAF Incentives
Europe is taking a “stick” approach to reducing aircraft CO2 emissions, while the U.S. is going the “carrot” route.
Aircraft
Some Sustainability Steps Can Lower Bizav Ops Costs
Improving aircraft efficiency is also a way for business jet operators to become more sustainable.
Aircraft
Falcon Aircraft Operators Group Growing Rapidly
The Independent Falcon Aircraft Operators Association has gained 55 more members since its soft launch in September.
Preowned Bizjet Inventory Now at 3.2% of Active Fleet
The overall number of preowned business jets for sale last month fell by 53 percent from a year ago, according to data from Jefferies and Amstat.
Regulations and Government
ACA: UK CAA Seeks Comments on Flight Cost-sharing Rules
The UK Civil Aviation Authority is now taking comments about its newly released consultation for proposed amendments to current cost-sharing flight rules.
Avionics
Genesys Surpasses 1,000th S-TEC 3100 Autopilot Shipment
Genesys Aerosystems has now delivered more than 1,000 S-TEC 3100 autopilots since starting production of the avionics unit in April 2018.
Charter & Fractional
Helijet Taps Blade as Flight Booking Platform
Under a new agreement, global air mobility platform Blade will have exclusive rights for booking Helijet's scheduled helicopter flights.
Aircraft
Jetcraft Outlook: $57B in Used Bizjet Sales over 5 Years
Some 12,261 preowned business jet sales transactions worth $57.2 billion are expected over the next five years, according to a forecast from Jetcraft.
Avionics
Flying Colours To Sell, Install SmartSky Systems
Flying Colours has signed with SmartSky to act as a sales and installation facility for the latter company’s air-to-ground connectivity system.
Environment
Gulfstream Signs WEF Statement To Boost SAF Use, Supply
Gulfstream has signed the World Economic Forum’s Clean Skies for Tomorrow 2030 Ambition Statement, which seeks to boost jet biofuel use and supply.
ATC
FAA: Remote Tower at Leesburg ‘Operationally Viable’
The FAA declared the Saab remote tower system at Virginia’s Leesburg Executive Airport “operationally viable,” authorizing ATC services to continue there.
Aircraft
Hermeus Unveils, Powers Up Hypersonic Prototype
Hyprsonic business jet developer Hermeus rolled out a test vehicle prototype and gave a live demonstration of its engines at full afterburner power.
Engines
GE To Focus on Aviation after Spinning Off Other Units
GE announced plans today to spin off its healthcare and energy businesses as separate public companies by early 2024, leaving an aviation-focused company.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Viasat To Acquire Inmarsat in $7.3B Deal
Satellite communication giants Viasat and Inmarsat would become one company under a $7.3 billion deal expected to close in second-half 2022.
Airports
ExecuJet MRO Services Middle East Opens Dubai Shop
ExecuJet MRO Services Middle East has opened a new business aircraft line maintenance shop at Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport.
Avionics
Dassault Selects Ingenio for Falcon EFB Solution
Dassault Aviation has selected Ingenio Aerospace’s cockpit tablet arm to provide electronic flight bag mounts for in-production Falcons.
Aircraft
Gulfstream Soars on Aircraft Orders
Aircraft backlog at Gulfstream Aerospace is at its highest point in six years, as customer demand for its jets continues unabated.
