Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;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&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;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.

Online Editor

Chad Trautvetter

Business aircraft flying trended positive last month in every operating category and all jet segments, according to TraqPak data released yesterday by aviation services company Argus. Overall, activity climbed by 1.9 percent year-over-year in May.


For the first time this year, Part 91 operators led the way, with flying up by 2.3 percent in this operating segment versus a year ago. Part 135 activity wasn’t far behind, rising 1.9 percent from May last year, while the fractionals eked out a 0.2-percent gain.


By aircraft category, jet flying again moved upward and turboprops were slightly negative. In a surprising move, light jets pushed to the head of the pack last month, logging a 4.7-percent year-over-year increase. Large-cabin jet activity was also strong, climbing 4.3 percent, and midsize flying recorded a 2.3-percent uptick. Turboprop flying last month slipped by 1.6 percent from a year ago, however.


In individual segments, fractional light jets once again came out on top with a 30.6-percent increase. Large-cabin jets at the fractional and charter operators logged the next biggest gains, at 8.1 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively. Still feeling the fallout from Avantair’s demise, fractional turboprop flying was down 45.1 percent year-over-year.


Argus TraqPak data provides “serial-number-specific aircraft arrival and departure information on all IFR flights in the U.S. and Canada.”

Bizav Flying Climbing in North America, Says Argus

Overall, activity climbed by 1.9 percent year-over-year in May.

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