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
ATC
Jeppesen Helps South African ATC Prepare for FIFA World Cup Air Traffic
Jeppesen is assisting Air Traffic & Navigation Services (ATNS) of South Africa in its preparations for the influx of air traffic for the 2010 FIFA Worl
Aircraft
X-51A WaveRider Breaks Record for Longest Hypersonic Flight
The Boeing X-51A WaveRider hypersonic vehicle, powered by a Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne scramjet engine, achieved aviation history this week by making t
Aircraft
X-51A WaveRider Breaks Record for Longest Hypersonic Flight
The Boeing X-51A WaveRider hypersonic vehicle, powered by a Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne scramjet engine, achieved aviation history this week by making t
Engines
Rolls-Royce Advancing Engine Tech with E3E Core
Rolls-Royce today announced that it has successfully run the latest E3E (efficiency, environment, economy) core engine as part of its two-shaft research pr
JetNet: Used Bizcraft Inventory Continues To Deflate
A recently released report from JetNet indicates that the pre-owned inventory of business jets and turboprops declined further last month, though the aviat
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Amac Thinks Big on Aircraft Completions
Switzerland’s Amac Aerospace has extended its aircraft completions portfolio by securing approval from Airbus as an official completions center for its lin
Charter & Fractional
Presidential Flight Gets Second ABJ
Inflite Engineering of London Stansted Airport is keeping pace with growing demand for executive Avro Business Jet (ABJ) reconfigurations of BAE Systems re
Charter & Fractional
Flexjet, Korean Air Form Alliance
Bombardier Flexjet and Korean Air formed a marketing alliance dubbed Flexjet Connect.
GAMA Honors Congressmen for GA Support
The GAMA board recognized Sen.
Charter & Fractional
VistaJet Expands to West African Coast
In response to the growing demand for business aircraft in Africa, charter operator VistaJet has launched a regional operation on the West African coast, b
Airports
Arizona Airport of the Year: Mesa-Falcon Field
The Arizona DOT named Phoenix Mesa-Falcon Field Airport “Arizona Airport of the Year” at the 2010 Arizona Airports Association Spring Conference.
Opera Aircraft OK’d for Gulfstream Sales
Opera Aircraft Sales has become a sales agent for Gulfstream business aircraft in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania.
Training and Workforce
SimCom To Build PC-12 NG Trainer for Pilatus
SimCom signed an agreement with Pilatus Aircraft to manufacture a type-specific PC-12 NG flight training device, to be used by owners and operators through
Charter & Fractional
Air Partner Launches Empty-leg Web Site
Charter broker Air Partner launched a new Web site, www.emptysectors.com, intended to help charter clients to see real-time empty-leg availability of aircr
Sustainability and Environment
EPA Wants To Get the Lead Out of Avgas
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a pre-publication version of an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANRPM) on lead in avgas.
Charter & Fractional
Rizon Adds Eastern Europe Charter Capacity
Rizon Jet has agreed to provide additional charter capacity for Kazakhstan-based operator Prime Aviation.
Charter & Fractional
Per-seat Charter Working at Greenjets
West Palm Beach, Fla.-based Greenjets said its shared-ride charter jet membership service has been growing quickly since it was launched in April last year
First Cepa Bizav Show Planned for 2011
The Central Europe Private Aviation (Cepa) industry association launched plans for a new business aviation trade show focused on central and eastern Europe
ATC
ADS-B Activated in Philly
ADS-B, one of the cornerstones of the FAA’s ATC modernization plan known as NextGen, is operational in the Philadelphia area.
Regulations and Government
NATA Declares 2010 ‘Day on the Hill’ a Success
The National Air Transportation Association’s (NATA) annual “Day on the Hill” attracted nearly 100 association members to the Capitol building in Washingto
Maintenance and Modifications
Citation X Winglets Get European OK
Winglet Technology received EASA STC approval for its elliptical winglets on the Cessna Citation X.
Safety
FAA Reminds Pilots To Avoid Distractions
In light of several incidents, the FAA has called for operators to create and enforce policies that will limit distractions in the cockpit and keep pilots
Pelton Is Sole GA Rep on DOT Aviation Panel
Cessna Aircraft chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton is the sole member of a 19-person DOT future of aviation advisory committee who is representing gen
Accidents
NTSB Expands Accident Reporting Rules
The FAA is notifying operators that the NTSB amended Part 830 to include five new conditions that require immediate notification upon occurrence.
Safety
Gulfstream Forms Service Is Enhancing Safety
Gulfstream says its flight-data monitoring/flight operational quality assurance program “is already making a difference in safety to operators.” Introduced
Congress Recognizes Bizav for Haiti Relief
Both houses of Congress last month passed a bill recognizing the entire general aviation community, including business aviation, for Haiti relief efforts f
Charter & Fractional
NetJets Predicting Profitable 2010
Berkshire Hathaway’s first-quarter financial report notes that revenues at its NetJets subsidiary grew by 18 percent year-over-year, generating positive pr
Bizav Flight Activity Still Climbing
Business aircraft flight activity increased 4.8 percent in April compared with year-ago levels, according to TraqPak data released by aviation specialized
Accidents
FAA Denies Sanctions Against Midair Pilots
The FAA rejected a request from Brazilian politicians to revoke the pilot certificates of the two U.S.
Obama Nominates Pistole for TSA Chief
President Barack Obama nominated John Pistole as assistant secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, a position where he would also lead the Trans
