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
Cessna Boosts Range of Citation Latitude
Cessna Aircraft announced improvements in expected aircraft range and runway performance for the twinjet.
Airports
Leesburg Executive Airport To Test Saab Remote Tower
The trial will take place at Leesburg (Va.) Airport, which currently has no tower, next summer.
NBAA Pins Down Locations for 2015 Bizav Regional Forums
Regional forums offer some of the benefits of NBAA’s annual convention in convenient locations across the U.S.
Engines
Williams, Rolls-Royce Tie for Best Bizjet Engine Support
In rankings for turboprop support, Honeywell retained the number-one position.
FBOs
Hawthorne Acquires Wisconsin FBO, Bringing Chain to Five Facilities
The Hawthorne Eau Claire FBO has a newly renovated passenger terminal complete with passenger and pilot lounges.
Delaware Governor On Slate for Second-day Opening Session at NBAA 2014
Gov. Jack Markell will also participate in an “aviation-related announcement” later that afternoon at the Delaware River & Bay Authority.
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
FAA Reviews Security following Chicago Center Sabotage
“Criminal action by a contractor knocked out communications equipment” at the FAA air route traffic control center.
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.
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.
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.
Aircraft
Dassault Celebrates 30th Anniversary of Falcon 900 First Flight
Dassault has delivered 160 Falcon 900s and 900Bs.
Aircraft
Bombardier Hands Over First EASA-registered Learjet 75
Delivery follows EASA approval for the Learjet 70 and 75 on September 12.
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.
NBAA/CAN Land High-value Auction Items for Soirée
Auction will include sports memorabilia, ski getaway packages, jet fuel, watches and aircraft models.
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.
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.”
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
Former Ross Aviation Acquisition V-p Joins Seattle FBO Consulting Firm
Baumgartner brings expertise in FBO operations, procurement and mergers and acquisitions.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky Marks 75 Years of Modern Helicopter Flight
On Sept. 14, 1939, Igor Sikorsky lifted his experimental VS-300 helicopter “to tabletop height.”
Gulfstream Names Tait V-p of Sales Operations
He joined Gulfstream in 1999 as a senior financial controller.
