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
Elbit Finalizes M7 Acquisition
Elbit Systems of America has completed its $85 million purchase of San Antonio, Texas-based aircraft services provider M7 Aerospace.
Bombardier Fined for Denial of Pilot Training
The Quebec Human Rights Tribunal has ordered Bombardier to pay a Pakistani-born Canadian citizen more than $319,000 for denying him Challenger 604 flight
Patent lawsuit troubles flight planners
Online flight-planning provider RunwayFinder shut down on December 13 in the wake of a patent lawsuit filed by Aurora, Ore.-based FlightPrep.
Charter & Fractional
CitationAir Offers Limited-commitment Aircraft Access
CitationAir has launched Jet Access, a new non-membership program designed to allow private aviation customers use of its Citation XLS and Sovereign flee
Regulations and Government
Tax Bill Would Benefit New Aircraft Buyers
The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010, which was moving toward the desk of President Obama at press time, w
Aircraft
New Take on the 328 Envoy Jet Has Roomier Interior
328 Support Services has introduced the 328DBJ, with an updated interior, as the replacement for the Envoy version of the jet.
Airports
Sheltair Breaks Ground at Panama City
SheltAir Aviation Services held a groundbreaking ceremony December 17 for its new FBO facility at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, the ne
Regulations and Government
FAA: Comments Welcome on Airport SMS
The FAA will extend the comment period for the Airport Safety Management System (SMS) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), which had been scheduled to end
FBOs
More Gateways Added for DCA Flights
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has added three new gateway airports for general aviation flights headed for Washington’s Reagan Nation
Bombardier Sees Revenue Drop in 3Q
Bombardier Aerospace third-quarter financial results show total aerospace revenues of $1.8 billion, down from $2.1 billion for the quarter ending October
Broker Pleads Guilty to Parts Laundering
The owner and operator of Shelby Enterprises of Suffern, N.Y.
FAAC issues aviation recommendations
The Future of Aviation Advisory Committee (FAAC), whose membership represents a cross section of the aviation industry, last month presented Transportati
Regulations and Government
Legislation Delayed on FAA Funding
Congress voted for a 17th time on December 18 to extend aviation programs, taxes and Airport and Airways Trust Fund spending authority through March 31
Rotorcraft
Bell Unveils Plans To Upgrade 412EP
Bell Helicopter announced an upgrade package for its 412EP that features more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-9 engines which will yield a 15 pe
Regulations and Government
Tax Relief Act Good for Business Aviation
On December 17, President Obama signed the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010.
Aircraft
HondaJet Achieves flight Milestone
Honda Aircraft Company announced late last month that it completed the first flight of an FAA-conforming HondaJet.
Hawker Beechcraft To Stay in Wichita
Hawker Beechcraft and the state of Kansas reached an agreement late last month that will keep the airframer in Wichita for at least the next decade.
Patent Causing Turbulence at Online Flight Planners
Online flight-planning provider RunwayFinder shut down on Monday in the wake of a patent lawsuit filed by Aurora, Ore.-based FlightPrep.
Used Bizjet Inventory Still Falling, but Demand Anemic
According to the latest data from JPMorgan Research, pre-owned business jet inventories fell last month, reversing a three-month upward trend, though deman
Aircraft
Gulfstream's New G650 Really Goes the Distance
The Gulfstream G650, which isn't here at MEBA because of the company's aggressive flight-test schedule, will be the world's fastest and longest range busin
MEBA 2010 Expected To Smash Previous Records
Airshow organizer F&E Aerospace is expecting some 7,000 attendees–a record number–at the Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) show next week in Dubai.
Aircraft
New Airbus Engine Option Coming for ACJs, Too
Airbus launched a new engine option yesterday for A320-series airliners, and an Airbus Corporate Jetliner spokesman confirmed to AIN that
Safety
NBAA, NATA Question FAA over Pilot Fatigue Rules
In comments submitted to the FAA regarding the proposed flight-duty and
Rotorcraft
JetNet: Used Business Aircraft Transactions Climbing
Sales transactions of pre-owned business jets and turboprops, as well as turbine helicopters, posted healthy increases from a year ago, according to data r
Gulfstream announces bold expansion plans
Gulfstream Aerospace announced ambitious plans last month for a $500 million, seven-year expansion project at its Savannah, Ga.
Regulations and Government
Bermuda Requires SMS for entry
As of November 18, Bermuda is requiring all foreign operators of business aircraft with an mtow of more than 12,500 pounds to have a safety management syst
Charter & Fractional
French Charter Firm faces liquidation
Financial records at French air charter operator Blue Line are being scrutinized following the company’s compulsory liquidation on October 6 with debts
Accidents
Citation Crashes in Fog at UK Airport
The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch is probing the crash of a Cessna Citation II that closed Birmingham Airport for several hours on November 19.
