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
Rotorcraft
JetNet: Used Business Aircraft Transactions Climbing
Sales transactions of pre-owned business jets and turboprops, as well as turbine helicopters, posted healthy increases from a year ago, according to data r
Gulfstream announces bold expansion plans
Gulfstream Aerospace announced ambitious plans last month for a $500 million, seven-year expansion project at its Savannah, Ga.
Regulations and Government
Bermuda Requires SMS for entry
As of November 18, Bermuda is requiring all foreign operators of business aircraft with an mtow of more than 12,500 pounds to have a safety management syst
Charter & Fractional
French Charter Firm faces liquidation
Financial records at French air charter operator Blue Line are being scrutinized following the company’s compulsory liquidation on October 6 with debts
Accidents
Citation Crashes in Fog at UK Airport
The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch is probing the crash of a Cessna Citation II that closed Birmingham Airport for several hours on November 19.
Aircraft
Hawker 4000s Set for Significant Upgrade
Faced with an FAA mandate to modify all of the Hawker 4000s delivered thus far with fuel system upgrades that meet the latest certification standards, H
Regulations and Government
FAA Proposes Photo Licenses for Pilots
The FAA last month announced a proposed rule that would require all U.S.
Regulations and Government
GOP House Victory Costs GA Some Allies
With the Republican victories last month, several prominent backers of general aviation have moved on.
AeroBridge Receives Support from Industry
AeroBridge (née Corporate Aviation Responding in Emergencies, or Care) said it received commitments for continued support during national and internation
Regulations and Government
French Helo Lobby Concerned by New Rules
France’s helicopter lobby association, the UFH, is concerned about new rules recently released by the country’s civil aviation authority, the DGAC.
Avionics
Universal Avionics Selected by Gulfstream
Gulfstream selected Universal Avionics’ cockpit voice recorder with recorder independent power supply (Rips) and flight data recorder as forward-fit, sta
Accidents
Controller Sentenced over 2006 Brazil Midair
A Brazilian air traffic controller was given a 14-month suspended sentence last month in the 2006 midair of a Gol Airlines Boeing 737-800 and an Embraer Le
GM Starts Using Private Aircraft Again
General Motors used charter aircraft for its initial public offering (IPO) roadshow last month, marking the first time the company has used private aircra
Regulations and Government
NBAA Confirms Aussie Transport Security
A six-year-old Australian law that requires international operators of jet aircraft exceeding 12,500 pounds mtow to have a Transport Security Program (TS
Cabin Interior and Electronics
PPG Shows Darker Side of Dimmable Window
Passengers on business jets will be able to block more light coming through electrically dimmable cabin windows with a new dual-panel option from PPG Indus
Charter & Fractional
Air Partner Now Offering Mideast Jet Card
Aircraft charter firm Air Partner launched a new Middle East jet card for private jet customers who want to travel within the region.
Charter & Fractional
NetJets Profitable So Far This Year
Revenues at Berkshire Hathaway’s NetJets fractional aircraft subsidiary climbed 17 percent during the first nine months of this year versus a year ago “d
Indian Bizav Expo Planned for February
MIU Events and Exhibitions Group India is hosting the Indian Business Aviation Expo from February 21 to 23 at the Hotel Shangri-La in New Delhi.
Maintenance and Modifications
BAE Systems’ ABJ Program Growing
BAE Systems and Design Q have unveiled the latest cabin concept for the Avro Business Jet, an executive version of BAE’s Avro RJ and BAE 146 regional jet
Avionics
Jeppesen Intros eChart Service for Bizav
Jeppesen introduced a new Web-based charting solution for the business aviation market.
Abace Returns in 2012 and Annually Thereafter
NBAA and the Asian Business Aviation Association are resurrecting the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (Abace).
Mexican Learjet 85 Facility Opens
Bombardier Aerospace officially inaugurated its new Learjet 85 component manufacturing facility at the Queretaro Aerospace Park in Mexico.
Regulations and Government
FAA Behind on ICAO SMS Rules
While the FAA has filed a “difference” explaining that it does not have a formal safety management system (SMS) rule for aircraft operators, despite the
Cessna: Int’l Demand Key to Bizjet Recovery
International demand will be important to the recovery of the business jet market and will account for an increased proportion of future sales, Cessna vi
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Goodrich Digesting DeCrane Acquisition
With completion of its acquisition of most of the former DeCrane Aerospace assets, Goodrich of Charlotte, N.C., showcased its expanded completion and ref
Aircraft
Cirrus Vision Jet Development Stalls
Cirrus Aircraft said it is continuing to refine the design of the SF50 Vision single-engine jet but further development “is paced by funding,” according
Maintenance and Modifications
FAA Approves Anti-Ice System for Quest Kodiaks
Quest Aircraft yesterday received approval from the FAA for the Kodiak turboprop single’s ice p
Embraer Building Portuguese Composites Facility
Embraer has started the first phase of building a new $48 million, 330,000-sq-ft facility in Évora, Portugal, dedicated to manufacturing complex airframe s
