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
Safety
Helo Safety Effort in Full Swing in Europe
The European Helicopter Safety Implementation Team (EHSIT) has released a 22-page “training leaflet” aimed at making helicopter pilots more aware of hazar
Avionics
Western, Universal to Retrofit F900
Greenwich AeroGroup’s Western Aircraft and Universal Avionics announced a partnership to develop an avionics retrofit package for the Dassault Falcon 900
Textron Cites Loss as Deliveries Slump
Textron, parent company of Cessna Aircraft and Bell Helicopter, reported a third-quarter loss.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky Takes Share in Eclipse
In a surprise announcement at the NBAA convention, Stratford, Conn.-based Sikorsky Aircraft revealed that it reached an agreement “in principle” to make
Regulations and Government
NetJets Europe in French Labor suit
NetJets Europe has been summoned to appear at the Court of Bobigny, near Paris, on December 2, after three entities–French charter operator lobbying grou
Emivest Aerospace Files for Chapter 11
San Antonio-based Emivest Aerospace, manufacturer of the SJ30 light jet, announced on October 20 that it petitioned for restructuring under Chapter 11 of
London Air is G7000 Launch customer
Vancouver, B.C.-based London Air Services placed a firm order for Bombardier’s new $65 million, 7,300-nm Global 7000, making it the Canadian launch custo
Hawker Beech ICT Future Uncertain
Despite a recommendation by the International Association of Machinists executive council to approve the contract offered by Hawker Beechcraft, 55 percent
2010 NBAA Convention Declared a Success
According to NBAA’s final tally for its 63rd annual meeting and convention held last week in At
Aircraft
Nextant Beechjet conversions aiming for STC in early 2011
At this year's NBAA convention, Nextant Aerospace is making its debut in the static display with not one, but two of its new 400XT Beechjet conversions.
Foley: ‘Notable Recovery’ in Bizav over Past Year
According to business aviation analyst Brian Foley of Brian Foley Associates, the business aviation industry has made a “notable recovery” since last year'
State of the Industry: Cessna
The good news for Cessna Aircraft is that analysts expect the Wichita-based aircraft manufacturer to maintain its position as the business aircraft market
Aircraft
Gulfstream’s GIV celebrates milestone 25 years in service
Gulfstream Aerospace last month celebrated the 25th anniversary of the first flight of the Gulfstream IV, which the Savannah, Ga.-based manufacturer said i
Safety
Serious Runway Incursions Fall Sharply in U.S.
According to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt, the number of serious runway incursions at U.S.
JPMorgan: Bizjet Pre-owned Market Loses Some Steam
According to JPMorgan’s latest business jet monthly report, released on Friday, improvement in the pre-owned market has stalled.
Standing Room Only at Bombardier Safety Standdown
Bombardier’s four-day Safety Standdown seminar, which concluded today in Wichita, was fully booked.
Aircraft
Bombardier To Launch 'New Global Family' at NBAA
Unable to maintain radio silence of an expected unveiling
Accidents
Controller Prevents GIV Crash
An alert radar controller monitoring traffic at Shannon air traffic services helped to prevent a Gulfstream IV-SP from crashing near Killarney, Ireland, la
FBOs
SheltAir FLL Hosting NASA Hurricane Test Base
A NASA Earth science field experiment is being conducted from a temporary base at SheltAir’s FBO facility at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood (Fla.) International
ATC
NextGen Included in U.S. Infrastructure Plans
Airport upgrades and the Next Generation Air Traffic System are part of the Obama Administration’s plans to invest more than $50 billion in the U.S.’s tr
Gulfstream Encouraged by Market Activity
“There’s a fair amount of caution out there, but we’re seeing steady activity at our Gulfstream and Jet Aviation subsidiaries,” Jay Johnson, chairman and
Regulations and Government
Draft AC Offers OEMs Guidance on Icing
The FAA’s Draft Advisory Circular 20-147A released last month provides new guidance to aircraft manufacturers on compliance with regulations covering eng
Safety
Prism Shines with FSF Offer
Prism, a subsidiary of aviation services firm Argus, is sponsoring the first year of corporate membership in the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) for each
Bombardier: Bizjet Market Recovering
Bombardier Aerospace “is starting to see signs of recovery as shown by the significant reduction in business aircraft order cancellations,” Bombardier pres
Charter & Fractional
Spectrum Air Starting Bizjet Flights
Charter broker Spectrum Air is launching scheduled nonstop business jet flights between Van Nuys, Calif., and Teterboro, N.J., on October 10.
FBOs
Venice Airport FBO May Get Hangar Permits
Due to a technicality, the FAA last month dismissed the Part 16 complaint against the city of Venice, Fla., for denying permits for the sole FBO at Venic
Charter & Fractional
CitationAir, Air Partner Form Alliance
CitationAir by Cessna launched an alliance with UK-based charter broker Air Partner, through which each company’s respective customers will have access t
Aircraft
Gulfstream G250, G650 Programs ‘On Track’
According to Jay Johnson, chairman and CEO of Gulfstream parent company General Dynamics, the Gulfstream G650 and G250 test programs are proceeding on tr
Rotorcraft
Heavy-lift Helos Helping in Gulf Restoration
Heavy-lift helicopters from private contractors and the military are continuing to play a critical role in restoring the Gulf of Mexico’s ecosystem in th
Second Half ‘Crucial’ for Bizjet OEMs
“Elevated used inventory, attractive used pricing and macro uncertainty continue to hold down demand for new business jets,” JPMorgan Equity Research said
