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
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.
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.
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.
Unmanned Aircraft Issues To Be Discussed at NBAA 2014
NBAA expects to see UAS have an expanded presence at future conventions.
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.”
Learjet 70 and 75 Get EASA Nod
Approval clears the way for EASA-registered customers to start taking delivery of the new aircraft.
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.
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.
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.
Business Aircraft Flying Continues Ascent in August
Activity in the U.S. rose for the ninth straight month, climbing 0.9 percent last month versus a year ago.
Maintenance and Modifications
Gulfstream Paints a Bright Future at Savannah
The new paint hangar will support the company’s growing aircraft refurbishment work.
Maintenance and Modifications
Hangar8: Paint Respray Lifts Pre-owned Aircraft Values
The cost of a respray is around 1 percent of the aircraft’s value, but could increase its value by up to 10 percent.
USAIG Adds Aircare Training, Service To Performance Vector
Addition includes the company’s Facts Training aircrew emergency procedures courses and mission safety and telemedical support services.
Aeronautical Sciences Council Recognizes Honda Aircraft Leader Fujino
Fujino recognized for his “pioneering contributions” in the design and development of the HondaJet and its over-the-wing engine mount configuration.
Registration Closing Soon for Bombardier’s Free Safety Standdown
This year’s theme is “attention control techniques.”
NBAA To Bestow Blouin, Stine with Staff Lifetime Awards
The two will be recognized during NBAA’s annual awards luncheon on Tuesday, October 21.
Embraer Opens Engineering/Tech Center in Florida
The facility will conduct engineering and development activities for both product and technology development across Embraer’s business lines.
Aircraft
FAA Approves Garmin G3000-equipped Citation CJ3+
This approval marks the first changeover from the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 system to the G3000 avionics in the current CJ series.
Avionics Sales Rise 6.8 Percent, Top $1.3B in 1H14
Of second-quarter avionics sales, 51.7 percent was for forward-fit avionics, while 48.8 percent was for retrofit avionics.
Regulations and Government
FAA Selects Four Unleaded Aviation Fuels for Phase One Testing
The goal is for government and industry to work together to have a new unleaded aviation fuel by 2018.
Helicopter Lessor Milestone Aviation Plans To Go Public, Issue Stock
No date for the IPO has been set, nor has any valuation been placed on shares to be offered.
Garmin GFC 700 Autopilot Approved for Quest Kodiak
Deliveries of Kodiaks equipped with the Garmin GFC 700 will begin in the fourth quarter.
NBAA To Launch Young Business Aviation Professionals Program at Annual Convention
Program will help sustain the talent pipeline and nurture newcomers to the industry.
Poor Weather Hampers Search for TBM900 Wreckage
The pilot of a TBM900 that crashed in the Caribbean Sea had requested a sudden descent to FL180.
