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
Aircraft
Gulfstream G150 OK’d for Steep Approaches
Last month the FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency approved the Gulfstream G150 for a steep-approach angle of up to six degrees versus the normal a
Maintenance and Modifications
Complaint Alleges Runaway Premier 1A Trim
Eastham Aviation, a Houston owner of a Hawker Beechcraft Premier 1A, filed a complaint against Hawker Beechcraft on January 19, asking that the manufacture
Central Europe Bizav Group Formed
The new Central Europe Private Aviation Association (Cepa) will hold its inaugural conference in the Czech capital Prague on April 22 and 23.
Regulations and Government
Weener Nominated for Safety Board
Earl Weener, a former Boeing engineer and a fellow at the Flight Safety Foundation, was nominated by President Obama to fill the last vacancy on the NTSB.
Charter & Fractional
Delta AirElite Acquires Segrave Aviation
Delta Air Lines subsidiary Delta AirElite Business Jets acquired Kinston, N.C.-based Segrave Aviation last month.
Avionics
Garmin Launches New Helo Products
Garmin unveiled the G500H glass avionics system and a terrain awareness and warning system (Taws) for the helicopter market just before Heli-Expo last mont
Gulfstream Appoints Communications v-p
Gulfstream Aerospace has named industry veteran Jeff Miller to the newly created position of vice president of communications.
Charter & Fractional
Aabar Boosts Its Investment in XOJet
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Aabar Investments is investing a further $20 million in charter provider XOJet.
Analyst sees More Bizjets Deliveries
Aviation market consultant Brian Foley predicts that business jet deliveries will rise at “a steady 2.7-percent per year (compound annual growth rate) betw
Regulations and Government
Hearing Scheduled on F’boro traffic
The public inquiry into Tag Aviation’s application to increase the total number of permitted annual movements at the London-area Farnborough Airport from 2
Charter & Fractional
Avantair Soars in Frax Market
Fractional provider Avantair reported revenues of $35.8 million for its Fiscal Year 2010 second quarter ending December 31.
Rotorcraft
Indian Joint Venture To Produce AW119s
On February 16 AgustaWestland CEO Giuseppe Orsi and Tata Sons chairman Ratan Tata formed an Indian joint-venture company that will establish a final assemb
Bingham Named Chief at Piaggio America
Piaggio Aero Industries tapped John Bingham to serve as president and CEO of Piaggio America, as well as a member of Piaggio Aero’s board.
Argus: Flight Activity Improves for Bizav
Data released by aviation specialized services firm Argus indicates that business aircraft flight activity in January increased 5.3 percent from year-ago l
FBOs
Snow fells Dulles Jet Center hangars
While heavy snowfall early last month limited aircraft operations at airports up and down the U.S.
Analyst Predicts Modest Growth in Bizjet Deliveries
Aviation market consultant Brian Foley predicts that business jet deliveries will rise at “a steady 2.7 percent per year (compound annual growth rate) betw
Charter & Fractional
Flight Options, Pilots Reach Agreement
International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 1108, the union for Flight Options’ 500 pilots, early last month reached a tentative agreement for a first con
Bombardier Chooses Bizav Ambassador
Bombardier named classical music star Lang Lang as one of its business aircraft brand ambassadors.
Aircraft
Aerion Study Shows Interest in SSBJs
Reno, Nev.-based Aerion is evaluating preliminary results of a new global market survey indicating strong demand for its proposed supersonic business jet.
Aircraft
Dassault Falcon 7X Gets Chinese Papers
The Dassault Falcon 7X received its type certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
Accidents
Platinum Jet Trial Postponed until May
The trial of Michael and Paul Brassington, John Kimberling, Brien McKenzie and pilot Francis Vieira, executives and employees of now defunct Platinum Jet M
KAI To Boost Civil Aircraft Manufacturing
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is planning to expand into manufacturing civil aircraft, with possible programs including a sub-100-seat airliner and a bu
Online System Logs Performance Metrics
AircraftLogs.com announced reporting enhancements that capture performance metrics for flight departments.
Accidents
Ice in Fuel System Caused 777 Crash
A fuel-flow restriction at the fuel/oil heat exchanger (FOHE) on the right engine and “most likely” on the left-hand FOHE resulted in the January 2008 cras
FAA: Bizjet Traffic Down 19.6 Percent in ’09
The FAA’s January 2010 Business Jet Report shows total business jet operations worldwide down 19.6 percent last year compared with 2008.
Aircraft
Kodiak Goes from Factory to Haiti
Mission Aviation Fellowship, the Idaho-based charity that conducts flights in support of international missionary efforts, took delivery of its fourth Ques
Aircraft
Embraer Legacy 450 and 500 Programs Making Headway
Embraer said production of the Legacy 500’s first parts has begun at suppliers’ facilities.
Charter & Fractional
Avinode Upgrades Charter Search Engine
Online charter portal Avinode upgraded its new aircraft charter search engine, making it easier for charter brokers and operators to put together the most
Charter & Fractional
$20M Verdict Against XtraJet Overturned
A judge in the 2nd District Court of Appeals in Los Angeles overturned an earlier $20 million judgment against defunct charter operator XtraJet, saying, “T
