Author

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

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
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
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

Textron Cites Loss as Deliveries Slump

Textron, parent company of Cessna Aircraft and Bell Helicopter, reported a third-quarter loss.
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
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
Aircraft

Cessna Chooses Elliptical Winglets for Citation Ten

Cessna has selected Winglet Technology’s elliptical winglet for the new Citation Ten.
Avionics

Western, Universal Partner on Falcon 900 Retrofit

Greenwich AeroGroup’s Western Aircraft and Universal Avionics announced a partnership last month at the NBAA Convention to develop an avionics retrofit p

JPMorgan: Pre-owned Market Recovery Stalls

According to JPMorgan’s latest business jet monthly report, improvement in the pre-owned market has stalled.
Accidents

Serious Runway Incursions Fall Sharply in U.S.

According to the DOT and FAA, the number of serious runway incursions at U.S.
Airports

Redhill Making Bid To Attract VLJ Traffic

Redhill Aerodrome, a grass strip close to London Gatwick Airport, is seeking permission to build a 3,671-foot concrete runway in a bid to attract very li
Charter & Fractional

Air Charter Pilots Facing Certificate Action

The FAA has concluded that two Boston Air Charter pilots were in violation of the FARs when they took off in their respective Cessna Citations from Norwo
ATC

Plane Finder App Reveals Aircraft Info

Plane Finder AR (augmented reality) iPhone and Android apps from UK-based Pinkfroot display aircraft transmitting ADS-B Out signals.

NBAA Releases 2010 Bizav Fact Book

NBAA released its 2010 Business Aviation Fact Book, a comprehensive profile of the industry that provides real-world information and data about its value
Safety

Online SMS Subscription Service Planned

FltPlan.com said it is developing an online safety management system (SMS) subscription service for smaller business aviation flight departments and oper
Safety

Phenom 100 blowouts prompt FAA scrutiny

For the third time this year, an Embraer Phenom 100 suffered a dual tire blowout upon landing after a reported failure in the brake-by-wire system.
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Swiss design A380s for Grand Tours

A consortium of investors led by Switzerland-based Van Lattmann Corporate Communications (VLCC) has embarked on an ambitious project to operate VIP version
Training and Workforce

First Conforming HondaJet To Fly ‘Very Soon’

System ground tests and static structural stress testing of production-conforming aircraft continue at the HondaJet research and development center in Gree
Training and Workforce

Flight Options, CAE Sign Five-year Deal

At the NBAA Convention last month, CAE inked a $15 million, five-year contract renewal with Flight Options for pilot training on six fleet aircraft types
ATC

ADS-B Gets Green Light from the FAA

Following successful ADS-B deployment at key sites in the U.S., the FAA gave the go-ahead for the system’s national rollout, with coast-to-coast U.S.
Safety

Bombardier Safety Standdown Packs Them In

Bombardier’s four-day Safety Standdown seminar, held last month in Wichita, was fully booked.
Charter & Fractional

Argus Partners with JetVizor

Argus has partnered with JetVizor to allow users of the latter company’s free online charter marketplace and global directory to view Argus ratings for c
Aircraft

PiperJet now Altaire, new and improved

Taking advantage of the big stage at the NBAA Convention last month, Piper Aircraft introduced its evolved and renamed PiperJet Altaire, showing a mockup o
Charter & Fractional

NetJets Places Order for 50 Phenom 300s

Embraer announced at the NBAA Convention last month that fractional provider NetJets signed an agreement to purchase 50 Phenom 300 light jets and has an op
Avionics

There’s an App for Signature Flight Support

Signature Flight Support launched iFBO, a new iPhone application to provide customers with handheld access to key flight-planning and service information

Learjet 60XR Sets Wichita-São Paulo Speed Record

The National Aeronautic Association confirmed that a Bombardier Learjet 60XR set a speed record between Wichita and São Paulo.

Bizav Flight Activity Dipped Slightly in September

Just a month after regaining positive momentum, ­business aviation flight activity slipped into negative territory in September, falling 1.1 percent year

Sojourn Aviation Launches at NBAA

Sojourn Aviation, a new independent global aircraft sales company founded by former Hawker Beechcraft president Brad Hatt, was officially launched last m
Rotorcraft

Eurocopter Opens Subsidiary in India

Eurocopter has officially opened an Indian subsidiary in a move to tackle the local market.

2010 NBAA Convention Declared a Success

According to NBAA’s final tally for its 63rd annual meeting and convention held last week in At