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
NBAA Updates Light Business Airplane Buyer’s Guide
Guide enables users to make apples-to-apples comparisons of new piston singles and twins, turboprops, very light jets and light jets.
Charter & Fractional
Mountain Aviation Acquired by Private Investment Group
Rich Bjelkevig, who founded the turboprop and jet charter firm in 1993, will continue serving as the company’s president.
Regulations and Government
NBAA Seeks Input about IRS Applying Ticket Taxes to Aircraft Management Fees
Group fighting back against the IRS’s assertion that the 7.5-percent ticket tax applies to managed Part 91 aircraft.
LABACE Attendance Down at 2014 Edition
Attendance down about 2,000 from last year’s show and more than 4,000 shy of initial estimates.
Cessna Delivers 10,000th Piston Single from Independence Plant
Liberty University took delivery of this milestone aircraft, a Cessna 172 Skyhawk with a custom paint scheme.
Regulations and Government
House General Aviation Caucus Members Ask for Fast-track Review of Third-class Aeromedical Reforms
Under the proposal, the FAA would allow holders of private pilot certificates to fly without a third-class medical.
JSSI: Global Bizav Activity Bounces Back in 2Q14
Second-quarter 2014 index shows that global business aviation activity climbed 3 percent from a year ago.
Pilatus Taps India’s Tata To Make PC-12 Aerostructures
The project includes tooling, jigs and training of TASL’s personnel at Pilatus facilities in Switzerland.
North America Buoyed 2Q Bizjet Deliveries, Says UBS
Second-quarter business jet deliveries climbed by 30 percent in North America, but the gain was more than offset by losses in the rest of the world.
Approval Imminent for Embraer Legacy 450/500 U.S. Plant
Embraer has proposed constructing a $76 million, 250,000-sq-ft building next to its Phenom 100/300 assembly facility at Melbourne (Fla.) Airport.
African Business Aviation Group To Hold Second Annual Symposium
It promises to build on the strong foundations laid at the inaugural event in Marrakech last year.
Jet Aviation St. Louis Gets STC for Satcom Direct Router in Bombardier Globals
System allows users to manage all cabin communications systems.
Jordan Will Host Next Middle East/North African Business Aviation Conference
Event was initially planned to be held in Tunisia next month, but this venue has been postponed until next year.
FlightSafety Now Offers Online Ground School for Gulfstream G550 Recurrent Course
G550 eRecurrent training course is available for pilots who operate their aircraft under FAA or EASA regulations.
Analysts: Learjet 85 Likely To Suffer More Delays
According to industry watchers, Bombardier Aerospace will give higher priority to the CSeries and Global 7000/8000.
Aircraft Resale Group Launches New Discount Program
First deal is from Asset Insight for service that analyzes and grades a business aircraft’s technical condition.
Maintenance and Modifications
Traxxall Unveils New Aircraft Maintenance Tracker
Web-based system improves business aircraft operators’ ability to track maintenance on their aircraft and ensure regulatory compliance.
Charter & Fractional
American Ebola Patients Flown Back to U.S. Released from Hospital
The humanitarian aid workers left Emory University Hospital this week.
Honda Aircraft Chief To Get SAE Aircraft Design Award for HondaJet
Fujino is responsible for the research and development, production, sales and marketing of the HondaJet.
Regulations and Government
Lawmakers Ask DOT To Expedite Reform of Third-class Aviation Medicals
The General Aviation Pilot Protection Act would allow pilots to fly without the need for a third-class medical certificate.
Gulfstream Launches Pre-owned Aircraft Inventory iOS App
App offers real-time inventory listings with interior and exterior photographs and other aircraft information.
Charter & Fractional
Online Air Charter Broker JetCharters.com Sees Rise in Site Visitors, Bookings
Site has seen 61 percent more visitors and trip requests in the first half of 2014.
Bizjet Demand Still Lagging Rise in Corporate Profits
Regardless, business jet deliveries rose 9 percent in the first half of this year.
Regulations and Government
NBAA, Other Organizations Praise Congressional Letters Supporting Contract Towers
Senate and House send letters to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta asking him to keep contract towers.
Charter & Fractional
Sentient Sees ‘Resurgence’ in Corporate and Leisure Travel on Business Jets
Corporate travel up 10 percent, while leisure flying climbed 17 percent.
Avfuel Network Continues Expansion
Apex Aviation at Vernal (Utah) Regional Airport and Wells Aircraft at Hutchinson (Kan.) Municipal Airport join the network.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Ruag Offers Real Wood Flooring for Business Aircraft
It is available as veneer and can be laid in different patterns anywhere in the aircraft.
UAS Relaunches Executive Travel Division
Relaunch includes new customized services, a dedicated team and refreshed logo.
European Bizav Flying ‘Undermined’ by Ukraine Crisis
There were 68,048 business aviation flight departures in Europe last month, a 2.7-percent year-over-year decline.
