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

Embraer Executive Jets handed over the 400th Phenom 300 on Friday afternoon from its Melbourne, Florida facility. The milestone light jet, S/N 400, went to EliteJets, a new Naples, Florida-based air charter firm that plans to start on-demand service next month. EliteJets also took delivery of another Phenom 300, S/N 403, on the same day, bringing its all-Embraer fleet to four of the light jets and one Legacy 500.


“We are honored by EliteJets’ selection of Embraer aircraft and services to build its brand-new fleet. The Phenom 300 and the Legacy 500 deliver comfort, performance and low operating costs,” said Embraer Executive Jets president and CEO Michael Amalfitano. “We are confident that the aircraft will deliver solid business performance to EliteJets.”


EliteJets founder and CEO Daniel Randolph—who made his fortune by founding, and later selling, Personalization Mall—told AIN that he decided to get into the air charter game after his personal experiences in flying charter. “Most charter outfits are using old airplanes, and it's outrageous what is being charged to fly on newer aircraft such as Phenom 300s,” he said. “We can do better.”


The first Phenom 300 rolled off the production line in December 2009, and the light jet has been the best-selling business aircraft for the past four years. All Phenoms are now being assembled at the company’s Melbourne facility.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

EliteJets Accepts Milestone 400th Embraer Phenom 300

EliteJets also took delivery of another Phenom 300, S/N 403, on the same day, bringing its all-Embraer fleet to four of the light jets and one Legacy 500.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Joseph Carfagna Jr.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Certainty benefits the preowned business aircraft market

AINsight: Election Results and the Fence

Kerry Lynch

Ultra-long-range model has amassed 75 records, many from customer trips

Speed Records Abound for Bombardier's Global 7500

We talk through the process from conception to delivery

Flying Privately: How Aircraft Like the Bombardier Global 8000 Come to Life

Hanneke Weitering

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

AltiSky will assemble, sell, and service VoltAero's aircraft

VoltAero Picks U.S. Distributor for Cassio Hybrid-electric Aircraft 

Jennifer Leach English

Company noncommittal on expanding its lineup upwards, citing $1B investment cost

Embraer’s Plans for a Larger Bizjet Remain Up in the Air

Operations ebbed, backlogs were steady, and available aircraft increased

GJC: Bizjet Market Continues To Stabilize in 3Q2024

Greenville-based charter operator pre-orders 10 eVTOL air taxis

SAI Flight To Operate SkyDrive eVTOL in South Carolina

Charles Alcock

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

More In Aircraft