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
Directional Aviation Realigns Flexjet, Flight Options
Flexjet will focus on newer aircraft while Flight Options will go back to its roots as the ‘value fractional.'
Avionics
Garmin Launches Standalone ADS-B Solution for Bizjets
Meets global ADS-B Out requirements by leveraging existing equipment to reduce costly flight management system and cockpit display upgrades.
Dassault Falcon Deliveries Down, but Orders Soar
Company delivered 38 Falcons in the first nine months versus 41 last year, but sales are up 63 percent over the same period.
Regulations and Government
TSA Administrator Pistole To Retire at Year-end
He has led the TSA over the past 4.5 years using a “risk based” security philosophy.
Embraer Delivers 64 Business Jets in First Nine Months
By the end of the third quarter, Embraer’s firm order backlog rose to $22.1 billion.
Avionics
Rockwell Collins Announces Fans Solution for Challenger 604s
Upgrade builds on the twinjet’s current flight management system and control display units.
Flight Services Company Hadid Opening Offices in U.S., India and Brazil, Among Others
Hadid’s global footprint will expand to 19 offices worldwide.
Avionics
Honeywell Launches Mobile Apps for Pilots and Maintenance Techs
New apps include Pilot Gateway and My-Maintainer.
Aircraft
Gulfstream Racks Up Launch Orders for New G500
Qatar signed a memorandum of understanding today for up to 20 Gulfstreams, while Flexjet placed an order for 50 aircraft, including options.
JPM: Bizjet Demand Stabilizes, but Recovery Still Muted
Indicators are mostly positive, but business jet demand still lagging rise in corporate profits.
Aircraft
Embraer Delivers First Legacy 500
The launch customer, an unidentified Brazilian company, accepted the aircraft during a ceremony on October 10 at Embraer headquarters in Brazil.
NBAA Tax Conference Starts Sunday, October 19
Conference is geared for flight department personnel, aviation attorneys and financial advisors
Avionics
Jeppesen and Garmin Unveil RNP AR NavData Validation Service
New service automates the more than 350 data accuracy checks per procedure required by the FAA.
Donated Aviation-themed Auction Items Flow in for NBAA/CAN Soirée
Items includes Cessna Citation CJ/CJ1/CJ2 initial type rating course at FlightSafety and Breitling and Hamilton watches.
Aircraft
Embraer Breaks Ground for Legacy 450/500 Plant in U.S.
Expansion project for the midsize Legacy jets will increase the company’s existing footprint by 2.5 times at Melbourne, Fla.
Aircraft
Globe-girdling Gulfstream G650ER Gets Its Wings
$2 million ER option stretches the G650’s 7,000-nm range to 7,500 nm at a cruise speed of Mach 0.85.
SmartSky To Launch Airborne 4G Data Service in 2016
SmartSky 4G will provide more than 10 times the typical speed and capacity of networks currently in the market.
Avionics
Honeywell, Jeppesen Introduce Cloud-based Flight Data Updates for Primus Epic and Apex Avionics
New service eliminates physical delivery of critical flight data updates, allowing users to download the updates from anywhere.
ATC
FAA Expects Chicago Center To Begin ‘Regular Operations’ on Sunday Night
Chicago Center is still expecting to use numerous traffic management initiatives early next week during the transition.
Charter & Fractional
Wheels Up Taps Four Hundred To Provide Its Clients with Luxury Concierge Services
Service will allow Wheels Up customers to access sought-after restaurants, sports events, concerts and clubs around the world.
Maintenance and Modifications
Rockwell Collins Signs 1,500th Aircraft in Its Corporate Aircraft Service Program
Milestone agreement was coordinated by Germany-based Rheinland Air Service.
Despite Ukraine Crisis, Bizav Flying Climbs in Europe
Business aircraft flights in Europe managed a 0.1-percent year-over-year gain in September, to 63,068 departures.
Survey: Bizjets Used for Time Efficiency, Not Luxury
“Save time” was the number-one reason for using business aviation, followed by “ability to use airports that airlines don’t serve.”
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
SterlingRisk Now Offers Air Charter Revenue Protection
Insurance product covers air charter revenue losses stemming from unscheduled maintenance and cancelled flights.
ATC
FAA’s NextGen Program Leader To Speak at NBAA Convention
This will be the first industry event at which Bolton provides a roadmap for further NextGen development.
Charter & Fractional
California’s Surf Air To Expand Service to Carlsbad and Oakland
Surf Air is expanding service to Carlsbad, Calif., beginning November 18 and Oakland, Calif., beginning December 15.
Avionics
Garmin Angle of Attack Indicator for Genav Aircraft Is Now Being Shipped
System displays safety-enhancing AOA and audible alerts throughout critical phases of flight.
Charter & Fractional
GrandView Aviation Broadens Air Charter Services
Services now include worldwide-brokered helicopter and jet flights, as well as helicopter fleet management.
Avionics
Marshall Aerospace To Develop Fans 1/A+ Solution for Bombardier Challenger 604
The solution will be available as a Bombardier Service Bulletin.
U.S. Aircraft Insurance Rates Appear Unaffected by Foreign Airliner Losses
Insurance broker said U.S. aircraft operators and many of their reinsurers “have dodged major bullets” in terms of any effect on U.S. policyholders.
