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
Environment
Gulfstream’s Green Programs Make Tons of a Difference
The recycling program recently launched at Gulfstream Aerospace’s Savannah and Brunswick, Ga.
Regulations and Government
FAA Issues New Aircraft Ice-detection Rules
On Friday, the FAA issued a new rule that requires Part 121 operators to install ice-
JPMorgan: Bizjet Market ‘Perking Up’
Demand for new-production business jets “showed signs of perking up” in the second quarter, JPMorgan North American Equity Research noted in its monthly bu
Training and Workforce
SimCom Closes Deal To Buy 14 FlightSafety Programs
SimCom Training Centers closed the deal to acquire 14 s
Regulations and Government
FltPlan Offers Flight Privacy Program for Bizav
In the wake of the Block Aircraft Registration Request (Barr) program’s demise, FltPlan is offering a “call sign” program that allows business aircraft own
Bizjet Market ‘Perking Up,’ Says JPMorgan
Demand for new-production business jets “showed signs of perking up” in the second quarter, JPMorgan North American Equity Research notes in its latest mon
AIN Blog: The Height of FAA Hypocrisy, Barr None
A turn of events this month has shown the blatant hypocrisy of the FAA in allowing, or disallowing, private aircraft operators to suppress their flight inf
Training and Workforce
SimCom To Buy 14 Aircraft Training Programs from FSI
“SimCom Training Centers confirms it is in discussion with FlightSafety International regarding the transition of some FlightSafety training programs to Si
Current-production Pre-owned Bizjet Prices Stabilizing
“Although an industry-wide recovery remains stalled, it appears that select markets for [pre-owned] newer, later-generation [current production] business j
Argus: Bizav Flight Activity Cools Down in July
Business aircraft flight activity in the U.S.
Aircraft
King Air 200GT Performance Package Gets FAA Nod
BLR Aerospace received FAA approval yesterday for its Ultimate Performance Package (UPP) for the King Air 200GT.
Aircraft
HBC Begins Contract Talks with IAM
Hawker Beechcraft and the International Association of Machinists (IAM) union began negotiations on a new contract early last month.
Rotorcraft
China’s Minsheng Signs MoU for 20 Embraer Bizjets
China-based Minsheng Financial Leasing signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the purchase of up to 20 Embraer business jets.
Germans Seize Thai Prince’s 737 in Debt Dispute
A German bankruptcy administrator seized a private Boeing 737 used by Thailand Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn as part of a long-running dispute between t
Aircraft
Embraer Joins First Legacy 500 Fuselage
Embraer joined the fuselage of the first Legacy 500 at its São José dos Campos, Brazil plant last month.
Rotorcraft
Bell Defends Civil Tiltrotor Government Funding
A Bell Helicopter spokesman denies that the company did anything improper in accepting approximately $300 million in U.S.
Aircraft
China Minsheng Leasing Orders 50 Gulfstreams
China’s Minsheng Financial Leasing signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for up to 50 midsize and large-cabin Gulfstreams last month.
Aircraft
Gulfstream G250 Is Now G280
Gulfstream Aerospace redesignated the super-midsize G250 as the G280 in mid-July.
Aircraft
Hawker Beechcraft Disowns Aircraft Mods
Nextant Aerospace brushed off a communiqué sent by Hawker Beechcraft (HBC) warning i
Charter & Fractional
Flight Options Secures $167M for Phenom Financing
Flight Options entered into a three-year, $167 million financing agreement with Brazil’s Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES) to fi
Training and Workforce
SimCom in Negotiations To Buy Some FSI Programs
“FlightSafety International and SimCom are in discussions regarding the possible transition of some of FlightSafety’s training programs to SimCom,” a
Charter & Fractional
JetNet Data Shows Early Stage of Bizav Recovery
“The first five months of the 2011 pre-owned market showed early-stage recovery signs,” with used business jet retail sale transactions growing by 19.7 per
FBOs
FBO Profile: APP Jet Center Fort Pierce
“This place reminds people of the TV show Wings,” said Genevieve “Gigi” Hazle, speaking about the APP Jet Center at St.
Charter & Fractional
First CJ4 Delivered for European Charter Ops
Cessna Aircraft delivered the first Citation CJ4 for charter operation in Europe early last month.Fred Eisele, CEO of Stuttgart-based Eisele Flugdienst, ac
Conklin & de Decker Updates Aircraft Comparator
Conklin & de Decker released its 2011/2012 Aircraft Performance Comparator, a software program that allows those acquiring a business jet, turboprop, pisto
Charter & Fractional
CitationAir Pilots Vote in Union
CitationAir became the third of the four major jet fractional providers to have a unionized pilot workforce last month, with 52 percent of the more than 35
Regulations and Government
FAA Budget Impasse Forces 4,000 Layoffs
The failure of Congress to agree on an extension of the FAA’s operating authorization by July 23 forced the agency to furlough nearly 4,000 employees and i
Regulations and Government
APU Use OK’d During Customs Inspections
Aircraft auxiliary power units (APUs) can now remain on while radiation checks are conducted on aircraft entering the country, as long as the exhaust vents
Gulfstream Soaring at General Dynamics
“Second-quarter Gulfstream orders were the largest we’ve seen since the economic downturn began,” Jay Johnson, chairman of Gulfstream Aerospace parent comp
