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

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
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

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

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

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

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
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.
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
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

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
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,”
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.
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

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
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.
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

Dassault Delivers 2000th Falcon

Dassault Falcon on July 10 delivered the 2000th Falcon at its Bordeaux-Mérignac facility.
Accidents

Downdrafts Felled Fossett’s Airplane, NTSB Says

The NTSB’s final report on the Sept.

Paris Area To Get More Public Helipads

The French government launched a study to add several helipads in the Paris area before the summer of 2011.

GAMA Opens European Office

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) last month opened a European branch office in Brussels and hired Brian Davey as director of European
Charter & Fractional

Mercury Jet Charter Reduces Rates

Charter broker Mercury Jet Charter is offering one-way charter rates under its new Mercury Express program.
Aircraft

Epic Buyer Suing Over Engine Delay

Rich Lucibella, the buyer and builder of an Epic Aircraft LT single-engine turboprop under the corporate name Blue Sky Avgroup, filed a lawsuit against Epi
Aircraft

First G650 Quickly Coming Together

The first wide-cabin Gulfstream G650 is quickly taking shape at the business jet manufacturer’s Savannah, Ga.

BUR Curfew To Be Decided by November 1

The application by the Burbank Glendale Pasadena Airport Authority (BGPAA) to establish a nighttime noise curfew for Stage 3 aircraft at Bob Hope Airport (
Airports

TAG seeks higher Farnborough traffic limits

TAG Aviation has applied to raise the annual limit on aircraft movements at London-area Farnborough Airport from 28,000 to 50,000.
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
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.
Aircraft

EASA suspends Eclipse 500 type certificate

The European Aviation Safety Agency suspended the European type certificate (TC) held by bankrupt Eclipse Aviation.