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
Airbus Backs Aerion To Take AS2 Supersonic Business Jet to Market
Under the agreement, both companies will exchange knowledge and capabilities in aircraft design, manufacturing and certification.
ATC
Mexico Now Allowing Direct-filed APIS Manifests
The manifest must be emailed within 24 hours of departure and resubmitted 30 minutes before takeoff to confirm the flight.
Aircraft
Bombardier Hands Over First EASA-registered Learjet 75
Delivery follows EASA approval for the Learjet 70 and 75 on September 12.
ATC
FAA Reviews Security following Chicago Center Sabotage
“Criminal action by a contractor knocked out communications equipment” at the FAA air route traffic control center.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Heerdt Tapped To Lead Lufthansa Technik’s VIP Division
He headed the German company’s marketing and sales department since 2003.
Airports
Granite Aviation Open for Business at Sandpoint Airport
New $1.6 million facility features a 3,700-sq-ft private air terminal, 7,000-sq-ft hangar and 171,000-sq-ft ramp.
Regulations and Government
NBAA: Bizav Must Remain Vigilant as FAA Renewal Nears
Next year will bring a new U.S. Congress and a debate about reauthorization of the FAA.
Aircraft
Dassault Celebrates 30th Anniversary of Falcon 900 First Flight
Dassault has delivered 160 Falcon 900s and 900Bs.
NBAA/CAN Land High-value Auction Items for Soirée
Auction will include sports memorabilia, ski getaway packages, jet fuel, watches and aircraft models.
Charter & Fractional
August Jet Card Sales Soar 76 Percent at Delta Private Jets
This follows record growth in both June and July, “with September on track for similar activity.”
Avionics
Garmin Flies Beechjet Retrofitted with G5000 Avionics
STC approval of the G5000 in the Beechjet 400A/400XP is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2015.
Meridian Taps Johnson as Director of Business Development
He will oversee the development of a new Meridian FBO at Hayward (Calif.) Executive Airport and expand aircraft management business on the West Coast.
Regulations and Government
Bizav Group Fights ‘Targeted’ Increases In UK Pax Tax
Increased charges that would take effect April 15, 2015, are “considerably higher, in terms of the specific amount and the additional cost.”
NBAA Panel To Tackle Trends Affecting Bizav Aircraft Sales
The 1.5-hour session will be moderated by NARA chairman and Dallas Jet International president Brad Harris.
Aircraft
Airbus ‘Validates’ Aerion’s Quest for a Supersonic Bizjet
Under a partnership agreement, both companies will exchange knowledge and capabilities in aircraft design, manufacturing and certification.
Aircraft
Embraer Legacy 500 To See First Delivery
The Brazilian airframer expects to hand over the first of the new midsize business jets this week.
ATC
Aireon To Offer Free Global Aircraft Tracking
Service will be available for search-and-rescue ops in 2017.
Gulfstream Names Tait V-p of Sales Operations
He joined Gulfstream in 1999 as a senior financial controller.
Regulations and Government
High-altitude Airport OK Will Put Falcon 7X in Rare Air
Certification effort is intended to meet demand in Western China for business jets capable of operating at small high-altitude airports in the region.
Former Ross Aviation Acquisition V-p Joins Seattle FBO Consulting Firm
Baumgartner brings expertise in FBO operations, procurement and mergers and acquisitions.
Maintenance and Modifications
Sierra Selects GE Honda HF120 for Sapphire CitationJet Upgrade Program
Aircraft owners opting for the upgrade package will have the original factory-installed Williams FJ44-1A engines retrofitted with a pair of HF120s.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky Marks 75 Years of Modern Helicopter Flight
On Sept. 14, 1939, Igor Sikorsky lifted his experimental VS-300 helicopter “to tabletop height.”
Charter & Fractional
London Executive Aviation Reports Banner Year
Revenue rose by 23 percent, “reflecting stronger charter demand and growth in the company’s aircraft management revenues.”
Epic, U.S. Bank Team on Globally Accepted Aviation Fuel Card
The Epic Card is now accepted at thousands of FBOs globally that process through the U.S. Bank Multi Service Aviation Network.
Unmanned Aircraft Issues To Be Discussed at NBAA 2014
NBAA expects to see UAS have an expanded presence at future conventions.
Maintenance and Modifications
Jet Aviation Opens FBO/MRO at Vienna Airport
The company recently signed agreements with Gate V and Fame Executive Aviation, the previous MRO and FBO service providers at the field.
Bombardier To Launch Honeywell’s Ka-Band Satcom System
Honeywell’s new JetWave satcom system is expected to be available for delivery aboard the Canadian aircraft manufacturer’s Globals starting in 2016.
Maintenance and Modifications
Sierra Launches Upgrade Program for Legacy CitationJets
The Sapphire upgrade program is a “comprehensive package of modifications that will enhance performance, reliability and comfort.”
Maintenance and Modifications
Raisbeck Starts Flight-testing Composite Swept Propeller Blades for King Air 350
New propellers will be formally introduced at the NBAA Convention next month.
EU Agencies Start Work on Cohesive GNSS Plan for Europe
The move will set the stage for the EU to evolve its air traffic management infrastructure to a more satellite-based system.
