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
ATC
FAA’s NextGen Hits Turbulence
The FAA faces significant challenges in achieving the vision of the Next Generation Air Transportation System
FBOs
JetEx Moves into Shannon
JetEx Flight Support established a joint venture with Westair to operate an FBO at Shannon Airport in Ireland.
ATC
EBAA Seeks Fair Bizav Access in Europe
While EBAA praised the European Commission’s new initiative to revise the regulation on airport slots
Signature Launches Affiliate FBO Program
Signature Flight Support launched Signature Select
Airports
Al Bateen Sees 3Q Traffic Increase
Al Bateen Executive Airport, the Gulf Region’s only dedicated business aviation airport, saw 1,903 movements in the third quarter, a 12-percent increase fr
Regulations and Government
Senate Votes To Reinstate Barr
NBAA is praising the Senate for passing an appropriations bill containing language that would reinstate the Block Aircraft Registration Request (Barr) prog
Charter & Fractional
Flexjet Seeks OK for In-flight iPad Use
Flexjet submitted initial paperwork to the FAA this week seeking approval for the fractional provider’s pilots to use the iPad 2 for viewing navigational c
FBOs
Million Air Opens at Gulfport-Biloxi
Million Air officially opened its new $12 million general aviation complex at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport this week. The FBO complex includes a 1
Airports
Quad City Runways Reopen
The three runways at Quad City International Airport in Moline, Ill., have reopened after being closed for six months due to renovations
Safety
Part 91 Safety Survey Online
A business jet captain pursuing a master’s degree at Embry-Riddle is asking pilots at Part 91 turbine operators to take a survey to help with her degree
GD Chooses Asia-Pacific Senior V-P
General Dynamics yesterday appointed Leda M. L. Chong as Asia-Pacific region senior vice president of the company’s aerospace group.
Pre-owned Bizcraft Market Recovering, but Only Slowly
“While the pre-owned business aircraft market continues to show improvements, all indicators have been slow to recover in the first nine months of 2011,”
Accidents
Nascar Owner Involved in Runway Overrun
Rick Hendrick, owner of Nascar team Hendrick Motorsports, his wife, and the two crewmembers suffered minor injures when their Gulfstream G150 overran
Aircraft
Made in Mexico: Global 7000/8000 Aft Fuselages
Bombardier Aerospace announced on October 24 that Global 7000 and 8000 aft fuselages will be built at its site in Queretaro, Mexico.
Regulations and Government
Coalition Opposes Aviation Tax Increases
An aviation industry coalition of nearly 30 organizations is opposing the proposed aviation tax increases, “which would lead to significant job loss across
FBOs
Euro Aviation Rebranded as Universal Aviation Greece
Universal Aviation today rebranded Euro Aviation, its Athens-based ground-support location, as Universal Aviation Greece.
Charter & Fractional
MJets Still Open Despite Flooding in Thailand
Despite the closure of Bangkok Don Mueang Airport due to flooding, Thai charter firm MJets is still open for business.
Maintenance and Modifications
Flightdocs Releases Mx Tracking App for iPad
Flightdocs released an aircraft maintenance tracking iPad application that allows flight crews to access and report aircraft maintenance information
Avionics
Jeppesen’s Obstacle Data Gets FAA Thumbs Up
Jeppesen said it received the aviation industry’s first Type 1 Letter of Acceptance endorsement
Security
FAA Launches Laser Incident Reporting Website
The FAA launched a new website today where pilots and others can report incidents of lasers being shined at aircraft
Maintenance and Modifications
Bell 429 Gets Chinese Papers
Bell Helicopter received type certification this week for the Bell 429 from the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
Maintenance and Modifications
Flightdocs Releases Mx Tracking App for iPad
Estero, Fla.-based Flightdocs, a provider of aircraft maintenance tracking software and services,
Charter & Fractional
Tibbitts Joins Flight Options
Fractional provider Flight Options expanded its sales force by naming Adam Tibbitts as regional sales director for the Rocky Mountain division,
Aircraft
600th TBM T-Prop Rolled Out
Daher-Socata rolled out its 600th series-production TBM turboprop single–a TBM 850–from its Tarbes, France production facility on Thursday.
Regulations and Government
Revised Bizav Security Plan Coming This Year
According to NBAA, the Transportation Security Administration is pushing to issue a new proposed business aircraft security program by year-end.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky S-76D’s PW210S Engine Gets Canadian Approval
The Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210S, which will power the Sikorsky S-76D helicopter, received Canadian certification on October 14, P&WC announced yesterday.
Made in Mexico: Global 7000/8000 Aft Fuselages
Bombardier Aerospace announced yesterday that Global 7000 and 8000 aft fuselages will be built at its site in Queretaro, Mexico.
Avionics
EASA STCs Garmin ESP, Datalink for King Air 200w with G1000
Garmin received STC approval from EASA yesterday to install the company’s Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP) and GSR 56 Iridium datalink
Piperjet Altaire Program Suspended ‘Indefinitely’
Piper Aircraft has cancelled its single-engine jet program.
FBOs
Bizav Traffic Soaring at Shanghai Hawker Pacific
Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Centre, located at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, is reporting a 145-percent increase
