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
Collins Intros Spanish-language Version of Vector SMS
New version allows flight departments in Latin America to implement a safety management system solution in their native language.
Charter & Fractional
Online Charter Broker Victor Expands to U.S.
Company also launched iOS app that offers real-time charter pricing, aircraft/crew specifics, side-by-side jet comparisons and instant booking.
FBOs
Eagle Creek To Acquire Montgomery Aviation FBO/MROs
Eagle Creek Aviation Services reached an agreement this week to acquire Montgomery Aviation’s three FBO/MROs in Indiana.
Astronomer Employs Trio of Falcons To View Solar Eclipse
Xavier Jubier coordinated a flight of three Dassult Falcon 7Xs above the Atlantic Ocean, near the Faroe Islands, on the same trajectory as the eclipse.
Safety
Global Aerospace Subsidizing Upset Recovery Training
Aviation insurer subsidizing 25 percent of the cost per pilot to customers who complete Calspan’s advanced maneuvering and upset recovery training in 2015.
Aircraft
Daher Opens New North American TBM Headquarters in Pompano Beach
Building includes two hangars for the TBM Service Center that can accommodate eight aircraft simultaneously and storage for spare parts inventory.
Avionics
KaiserAir Fans 1/A Solution for GIV Gets FAA Nod
Fans is currently required for North Atlantic operations between FL350 and FL390, though it eventually will be expanded to cover more altitudes.
Avionics
Inmarsat, Honeywell Complete High-speed Data Tests
Team was able to demonstrate that the high-speed GX aviation network can support multiple file transfers and video streaming.
Accidents
Loss of Control In Flight, Runway Excursions Are Top Bizav Safety Concerns
Other include airspace complexities; birds and wildlife; distraction and technology management; fatigue; and ground handling collisions.
Avionics
FAA: 10,000 Aircraft in U.S. Now Have ADS-B
ADS-B equipage offers enhanced surveillance, better situational awareness and free in-cockpit weather and traffic.
Engines
GE Honda Wins FAA Production Certificate for HF120 Engine
Latest certification means that its Burlington, N.C. facility demonstrated the repeated ability to build HF120s to type-design specifications.
Aircraft
VistaJet Transitions to All Challenger and Global Fleet, Plots U.S. Expansion
Company retired its last remaining Learjet 60—the aircraft type that its started with in 2004.
Charter & Fractional
PlaneSense Places Order for Up To Five Nextant 400XTis
Order propels the company into the jet market, with the first 400XTi to come on property in June and the second in the fourth quarter.
Avionics
Helicopter Features Added to Garmin Pilot iOS
New features includes helicopter route charts and identification/documentation of the highest obstacles along flight paths.
Maintenance and Modifications
JSSI Seeks To Cover More Helicopters
Independent provider of hourly cost maintenance programs recommits to helicopter market.
Avionics
Astronautics Demos Next-gen Helo Avionics
Company showing new helicopter avionics platform that will have synthetic vision and terrain awareness capabilities.
Rotorcraft
Bell Helicopter Adds Second Jet Ranger X to Test Fleet
Since fligth testing began in November, the helicopter program has quickly progressed, performing additional tests and numerous practice autorotations,
FBOs
Landmark Acquires Second FBO in Houston
Landmark Aviation acquired Ellington Partners and Southwest Airport Services at Houston Ellington Airport.
Aircraft
Milestone 1,300th Pilatus PC-12 Lands at Surf Air
Surf Air, which placed an order last fall for 15 PC-12 NGs and options for an additional 50, now has four of the turboprop singles in its fleet.
Safety
Aviation Safety Question of the Week (Feb. 23, 2015)
In the last 10 years, what condition has produced the greatest number of aviation fatalities?
Bizav Issues Panel at NBAA Forum Urges Participation, Advocacy
Speakers highlighted the value of business aviation to the state and local economies.
Argus: Bizav Traffic Climbs for 14th Consecutive Month
Company is projecting that flying this month in North America will improve by 0.9 percent from last February.
Aircraft
Gulfstream G650ER Shows Off Long Legs on Global Flight
N650GA flew from White Plains, N.Y. to Beijing and back to Savannah, Ga., in 25 hours 20 minutes.
Aircraft
Cessna Ramps Up Citation X Elite Program, Mulls Expansion to Other Citations
As part of the refurbishment, the aircraft are stripped, repainted and corrosion-proofed, and new wheels, brakes and tires are installed.
Engines
PW800 Engines for G500/G600 Get Transport Canada Nod
During testing, the PW800 engines logged more than 3,300 hours, including more than 350 flight hours on P&WC's Boeing 747SP flying testbed.
Safety
Aviation Safety Question of the Week (Feb. 16, 2015)
What is reported to be the most common cause of aircraft engine failure?
FBOs
Jet Aviation Raises $20K for Boys & Girls Clubs at La Bella Macchina
Event attracted 1,000 guests to view about a dozen business aircraft and more than 100 Ferraris.
JetNet: Used Bizjet Transactions Set New Record in 2014
There were 2,569 pre-owned business jet retail transactions last year, besting the previous peak of 2,181 in 2007.
Safety
Gulfstream Flight-test Unit Elevates IS-BAO Status
Department has 43 pilots who conduct more than 2,200 annual test flights.
