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
Aircraft
Cessna Delivers 300th Citation X
Cessna Aircraft early last month delivered the 300th Citation X to roll off the line.
Regulations and Government
EBAA Establishes New Airports Committee
The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) has established a new airports, handling and ground operations committee (AHGOC).
Avionics
Rockwell Collins Buying AR Group
Rockwell Collins last month announced plans to acquire AR Group and its affiliated companies, which includes business aviation trip support services provid
Regulations and Government
FAA Prohibits Takeoffs with Polished Frost
The FAA has issued a final rule that prohibits Part 91K, 135 and 121 operators from taking off with “polished frost”–meaning frost buffed to make it smooth
Hawker’s Boisture ‘Surprised’ by NetJets Cancellations
Hawker Beechcraft chairman and CEO Bill Boisture said yesterday during a fourth-quarter update conference call that he was “surprised” at the “timing and m
Bizav Activity Strengthening, ARG/US Data Shows
November business aircraft flight activity indicates a “continued trend toward recovery,” according to TraqPak data from aviation specialized services firm
Charter & Fractional
Comprehensive Charter Safety Review Issued by ACSF
The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) late last week released its first accident and incident review of the Part 135 on-demand air charter industry.
NetJets Cancels $2.6B in Hawker Beechcraft Orders
In a financial update released yesterday, Hawker Beechcraft revealed that fractional provider NetJets has cancelled orders for a “significant number” of ai
Charter & Fractional
More Operators Pass ACSF Charter Audit Muster
The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF), an affiliate of the National Air Transportation Association, yesterday announced that three more aircraft charter
Cessna Aircraft To Shutter Columbus, Ga. Facilities
Cessna Aircraft yesterday said it is closing its three component-production plants in Columbus, Ga., over the next six to 24 months and will move the work
Engines
GE Ready To Begin H80 Turboprop Trials
GE Aviation yesterday said that subsidiary GE Aviation Czech will begin certification testing of its new 800-shp H80 turboprop engine by the end of this mo
ATC
FAA Sets ADS-B Standards, Paving Way for NextGen
The FAA last week finalized the industry-wide technical standard orders (TSOs) for automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B), the backbone of Next
Bizjet Market Momentum Continues Positive Trend
UBS Investment Research’s latest monthly business jet market report, released yesterday, shows that business condition indicators have stabilized and in so
Aircraft
Gulfstream G650 Resumes Test Campaign
On Friday, the wide-cabin Gulfstream G650 resumed flight testing, following the November 25
Aircraft
Embraer Phenom 300 Certified by Brazil’s ANAC
Late yesterday, Embraer simultaneously received the type and production certificates for its Phenom 300 from Brazil’s civil aviation authority, Agência Nac
Bombardier Bizjet Deliveries Drop in 3Q
Bombardier today reported $4.6 billion in revenues for its fiscal third quarter (ending October 31), which is on par with year-ago earnings.
Safety
FAA Puts the Freeze on Takeoffs with Polished Frost
The FAA yesterday issued a final rule that prohibits Part 91K, 135 and 121 operators from taking off with “polished frost”–meaning frost buffed to make it
Aviation Industry Mourns Death of Leader Ed Stimpson
The aviation industry is mourning the death of Ed Stimpson last Wednesday morning at his home in Boise, Idaho.
Aircraft
Gulfstream G650 Makes an Abbreviated First Flight
The first Gulfstream G650, dubbed T1 for test aircraft one, achieved its maiden flight this afternoon, though it was cut short due to “slight vibrations” i
Bizjet Market Still Growing in Middle East
Research firm Frost & Sullivan today said that the Middle East is one of the few world regions where the business jet market has registered growth, add
Environment
GAMA, IBAC Team on Business Aircraft Emissions Plan
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), along with IBAC’s member associations, today
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Avro Business Jets Finding Market
BAE Systems announced last month that it has contracted to deliver a 46-passenger Avro business jet corporate shuttle version of the BAe 146-200 regional j
Charter & Fractional
California Charter Firm Secures New Funding
XOJet has secured $470 million in additional financing, including $100 million in equity and a “more flexible debt facility” of $370 million that allows fo
Aircraft
PiperJet Deliveries Delayed to Mid-2013
Vero Beach, Fla.-based Piper Aircraft said it is delaying first deliveries of the single-engine PiperJet from the fourth quarter of 2012 until the second q
JetBrokers Launches European Operation
Pre-owned aircraft broker JetBrokers has launched a European operation with offices in the UK and Switzerland.
Charter & Fractional
Charter Data Shows Mixed Picture
The latest data from Charter X and Avinode paints conflicting pictures of the fortunes of the executive charter market over the past month.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Honeywell Chooses Alto for Ovation Select
Alto Aviation has been selected by Honeywell to supply the sound system components for its new Ovation Select, the cabin management system Embraer picked f
NBAA Supports ATC Modernization
NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen recently told members of the House subcommittee on aviation that general aviation “remains steadfast in its support of mode
