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
Charter & Fractional
Air Partner Expands JetCard Offerings
Air Partner is expanding its 25-hour prepaid JetCard by adding two new aircraft categories–very light jet and super-midsize–within its European service are
JPMorgan: Bizjet Market Continues To Improve
JPMorgan’s latest business jet monthly report indicates that October was another month of modest improvement in aircraft demand and utilization.
Regulations and Government
Digital Notam Tests To Begin Next Month
The FAA will begin testing digital Notam distribution in January at Southern California Tracon and ATC towers in Amarillo, Texas; Boise, Idaho; Denver; and
Safety
TSB Critiques CBAA Oversight in 2007 Crash
Canada’s Transportation Safety Board (TSB) last month released the
Regulations and Government
Help on the Way for Business Aviation?
Members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and its aviation subcommittee, including Republican leaders Reps.
ARG/US Data Shows Increase in Flying
Business aircraft activity in October climbed 5.14 percent over September, according to Aviation Research Group/U.S.
UAE companies partner on humanitarian cargo effort
Maximus Air Cargo announced yesterday that it is joining forces with Etihad Airways and Abu Dhabi Airports Co.
Charter & Fractional
NetJets To Furlough Nearly 500 Pilots
Fractional provider NetJets late last week announced that it will furlough up to 495 pilots from its North American fractional operations, mostly from NetJ
Piper Reshuffles Executive Team
On Friday, Vero Beach, Fla.-based Piper Aircraft said CEO Kevin Gould will assume the company’s presidency effective December 1.
Maintenance and Modifications
Maximum Manuals Offers Same-day MELs
Maximum Manuals launched an Internet-based minimum equipment list (MEL) generator that provides same-day MELs customized to the individual client and aircr
Training and Workforce
TSB Recommends Increased CRM Training
In the wake of its investigation into the January 2007 fatal crash of a Hawker Beechcraft King Air A100 medical transport in Saskatchewan, the Canadian Tra
ASI Sees Uptick in International Bizav Flights
ASI Group told AIN at the NBAA Convention last month that recently it has seen a 25-percent increase in customers’ international business
Accidents
No Injuries in First Phenom 100 Incident
The first incident involving an Embraer Phenom 100 caused no injuries to the two crewmembers aboard and damage only to the landing gear and flaps when the
Engines
Snecma Powering Ahead with Silvercrest
Snecma is continuing development of its 9,500- to 12,000-pound-thrust Silvercrest engine for large-cabin business jets and RJs, with certification now expe
Online Bizav Value Toolkit Released
NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association last month at the NBAA Convention launched the Business Aviation E-Valuation Toolkit, an online res
Engines
P&WC Consolidating Facilities
Pratt & Whitney Canada last month announced that it is cutting 410 jobs and closing its Longueuil plant near Montreal, citing the global slowdown in th
Embraer Delivers 54 Bizjets Through Sept.
Embraer continues to ramp up production of the Phenom 100, helping the Brazilian business jet manufacturer deliver a total of 54 business jets during the f
Pelton: Bizav Issues Don’t End at Borders
Business aviation faces similar issues around the world that will require operators to cooperate across regional lines if the industry is to thrive, Cessna
FBOs
Mac Dan FBO Closed at Essex County Airport
Mac Dan Aviation, one of two FBOs at Essex County Airport in northern New Jersey, closed its doors in September.
NATA Survey Highlights FAA Inconsistencies
A recent survey conducted by the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) about inconsistent FAA regulatory interpretations has yielded “troubling, y
FBOs
Harrods Luton Restores Immigration Checks
Harrods Aviation has made special arrangements with the UK Border Agency (UKBA) for passengers and crew to complete immigration procedures at its London Lu
Foley: VLJs Are Just Small Jets
The marketing hype surrounding very light jets (VLJs) has “largely subsided,” according to Brian Foley, president of business aviation consulting firm Bria
Avionics
SmartPath Landing System Approved by FAA
Honeywell’s SmartPath precision-landing system recently became the only ground-based augmentation system (GBAS) to receive FAA approval.
Regulations and Government
EBAA ERP Manual Aids ICAO SMS Compliance
The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) is developing an emergency response planning manual for business aircraft owners and operators.
Rockwell Collins: Market To Bottom in 2010
Deliveries of turbine-powered business airplanes will continue to fall through the end of next year before beginning a slow but steady recovery in 2011, ac
JPMorgan: Market Optimism ‘Warranted’
According to a monthly business jet report issued by JPMorgan last month, the pre-owned market recovery continues though new jet demand is expected to lag.
FBOs
Ocean Sky Plans Euro FBO Expansion
Ocean Sky Aviation plans to build a network of FBOs across Europe in the next 12 months.
Charter & Fractional
Air Partner Private Jets Logs $4M Loss
The Private Jets division of charter broker Air Partner suffered a £2.5 million ($3.9 million) loss in its fiscal year that ended on July 31.
Aircraft
Farnborough Kestrel To Be Built by Liberty?
Farnborough Aircraft director Adrian Norris said at the NBAA Convention that his company is in discussions to have Liberty Aircraft produce the all-composi
