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
Eclipse Rises Again in Albuquerque
After no other bids emerged for the assets of Albuquerque, N.M.-based Eclipse Aviation, a federal bankruptcy judge on August 20
Charter & Fractional
Santulli resigns from NetJets; changes ahead at fractional
In a major management shake-up at fractional provider NetJets, company founder, chairman and CEO Richard Santulli on August 4 unexpectedly resigned, effect
Engines
GE To Certify Derivative of Walter M601 Turboprop
GE Aviation will soon start certification testing of its new 800-shp H80 turboprop engine, which is derived from the Walter M601.
More Layoffs Coming at Hawker Beechcraft
Just hours after taking part in a GAMA-organized “General Aviation Jobs For Arkansas Forum” yesterday in Little Rock, Hawker Beechcraft sent a memo to empl
Bizav Flight Activity Showing ‘Signs of Recovery’
Business aircraft activity showed “tentative signs of recovery” last month, according to data from aviation services company Aviation Research Group/U.S.
Charter & Fractional
Sokol Wastes No Time in Restructuring NetJets
NetJets’ new chairman and acting CEO, David Sokol, has barely been at the helm of the fractional provider a week, but he isn’t wasting any time in restruct
Accidents
Learjet 60 Crew Heard Clicks Just Before Crash
The NTSB on Friday released a cockpit voice recorder transcript, group factual reports and other documents from the agency’s investigation of the Sept.
Charter & Fractional
Losses Mount for NetJets in Second Quarter
Fractional aircraft provider NetJets’ second-quarter revenues fell 43 percent year-over-year to $550 million, and for the first half dropped $1.024 billion
Charter & Fractional
Birds Blamed in Citation I Crash
The NTSB said the probable cause of a crash in Oklahoma City of a Cessna Citation I was airplane wing-structure damage sustained during impact with one or
J.P. Morgan: Bizjet Market Stabilized, but Stagnant
Data from a J.P.
Charter & Fractional
Avjet Plays Key Role in Clinton’s Mission to N. Korea
Aircraft management and charter firm Avjet held a crucial role in the air transportation for former President Bill Clinton on his visit to North Korea on T
Charter & Fractional
Frax Industry Founder Steps Down from NetJets
In a seismic event for the business aviation industry, NetJets founder, chairman and CEO Richard Santulli yesterday resigned his position at the company, e
Foley: Bizjet Orders Could Be Net Negative for 2009
This year will be one of the most challenging on record for new business jet orders, according to business aviation industry consulting firm Brian Foley As
GAMA Airplane Shipments Off 46 Percent in 1H
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association’s second-quarter shipment and billings report, released this afternoon, shows that general aviation airplane
General Dynamics Boss Bullish on Bizjet Market
Jay Johnson, the new president and CEO of Gulfstream parent company General Dynamics, said yesterday during an investor conference that he is “encouraged r
Rotorcraft
Cessna, Bell Parent Textron Reports 2Q Loss
Textron, parent company of Cessna Aircraft and Bell Helicopter, today reported a net loss of $58 million in the second quarter, compared with a $258 millio
Aircraft
Honeywell Cools Legacy Line for Embraer
Honeywell has been selected by Embraer to provide the air conditioning and temperature control system for the new Legacy 450 and Legacy 500.
Aircraft
First Project Phoenix CRJ To Enter Service
The first Project Phoenix CRJ is about to enter service, having made its first flight on June 12 from the Flying Colours facility in Canada, where the form
Charter & Fractional
Smart Aviation Readying for Citations
Egyptian charter operator Smart Aviation is preparing to take delivery of the first two Cessna Citation Sovereigns to be certified for medical evacuation w
Aircraft
GIV, GV Fleets Log 4.6 Million Flight Hours
The Gulfstream GIV and GV fleets achieved a staggering 4.6 million flight hours, Gulfstream said.
Rotorcraft
UBS: Helicopter Inventory in High Hover
Inventories of used turbine helicopters have been building since the middle of last year “but now appear to be stabilizing, albeit at record-high levels,”
Regulations and Government
ACI-NA questions new firefighting standards
Proposed new aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) standards from the National Fire Protection Association would not have changed the outcome of previous
Avionics
EVS II OK’d for Gulfstream G150
Gulfstream Aerospace received FAA certification to use the second-generation Gulfstream enhanced-vision system (EVS II) on the midsize G150.
Regulations and Government
EPA extends compliance date for fuel rules
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) extended the compliance date for certain rules relating to fuel spill prevention, control and countermeasures (SP
Charter & Fractional
Arabasco, Royal Jet team on Saudi charter
Royal Jet and Arabasco launched a joint venture to expand private charter services in Saudi Arabia.
Used bizjet inventory stabilizing, JP Morgan
According to JP Morgan Global Equity Research, pre-owned business jet inventories in June remained stable at 14.4 percent of the active fleet, “a further s
Aircraft
EASA suspends Eclipse 500 type certificate
The European Aviation Safety Agency suspended the European type certificate (TC) held by bankrupt Eclipse Aviation.
Charter & Fractional
XOJet Expands Fixed-price Charter Service
XOJet launched a national network of “fare on-demand” rates for aircraft charter service starting at $12,000 on more than 15,000 dedicated routes.
ATC
DOT IG: FAA data clouds ATC training failures
A report from the Department of Transportation inspector general found that the FAA’s reported rate of training failures among newly hired air traffic cont
