Matt Thurber
Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Latest from Matt Thurber

Avionics

Appareo Stratus 4 Adds New Features to ADS-B Receivers

A color touchscreen and Apple “Find My” functionality are unique new capabilities
Appareo Stratus 4
Avionics

Aspen Avionics Key to Further Airo Group Developments

Company plans to expand with avionics developments and by acquiring flight training firms
Aspen Avionics flight deck for Jaunt eVTOL aircraft
Training and Workforce

King Schools Announces Scholarship Winners, New Courses

Test prep app will help mechanic candidates prepare for examinations
2025 Scholarship winners Collin McDonald and Lily Mocharnuk.
Aircraft

Piper Signs Biggest-ever Order, Taps DeltaHawk Diesel

The University of North Dakota is buying up to 188 new Piper aircraft for its pilot training program
Piper Seminole wing with DeltaHawk engine
Aircraft

FAA Announces Final Mosaic Rule at Oshkosh Event

Removes weight limitations and allows sport pilots to fly more complex aircraft
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy
Operations

Daher Extends Digital Services to Kodiak Owners

Garmin PlaneSync connected aircraft management system enables added services
Me & My Kodiak app
Avionics

Garmin and Hughes Partner on Guided Visual Approaches

More than 31 approaches at 25 airports added to new database
Garmin guided visual approaches
Aircraft

DBT Aero Introduces Two-seat Double Box Tail Airplane

Projected performance includes 1,000-nm range and 200-knot cruise
DBT 2LX light airplane
Avionics

Nighthawk’s New Cockpit Display Picked for Comp Air 6.2

Large, high-resolution touchscreen displays are driven by a remotely mounted computing center
Nighthawk Guardian display
Maintenance and Modifications

Scheme Designers Highlights 3D Paint Scheme Designs

Photorealistic renderings allow customers to view the design from any angle
Scheme Designers
Aircraft

Crewchief, Trade-A-Plane Provide Online Logbook Access

Aircraft buyers can use the system to view maintenance documents before proceeding with the purchase
Avionics

Lightspeed Improves Headset Comfort with Zulu 4 Headset

Newest version adds comfort and flexibility features
Lightspeed Zulu 4 pilot headset
Avionics

ForeFlight Integrates Maps with Dynamic Procedures

Approaches are less cluttered and depicted more intuitively
ForeFlight dynamic procedures
Aircraft

Cessna Skyhawk Switches on Electronic Ignition

Lycoming system reduces maintenance costs and improves performance
Cessna 172 Skyhawk
Avionics

Garmin PlaneSync Adds Automatic Flight Log Sharing

New feature pushes flight data directly to service providers
Garmin PlaneSync flight log sharing
Aircraft

Integral R Is Highlight of Aura Aero Oshkosh Display

FAA validation of the aerobatic two-seater is expected this year
Aura Aero Integral R
Operations

GlobalAir Publishes FBO Specials for Flights to Oshkosh

Discounts on fuel, food, and facilities are available for AirVenture flyers
GlobalAir fuel map
Operations

GlobalAir Publishes FBO Specials for Flights to Oshkosh

Discounts on fuel, food, and facilities are available for AirVenture flyers
GlobalAir fuel map for Oshkosh travelers
Operations

Free MyTIS Trial Offered to Oshkosh Travelers

Provides airport and weather information when ATIS can’t be received
Send MyTIS airport and weather information
Aircraft

Otto Selects Mecaer Landing Gear and Flight Controls

Aircraft won’t have fly-by-wire flight controls or cabin windows
Otto Aviation's Phantom 3500 business jet
Operations

Garmin Adds Oshkosh FISK Arrival for AirVenture Flyers

Procedure includes waypoints and notes on the chart
FISK arrival to Oshkosh as depicted on Garmin SmartCharts
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Cessna Caravans Latest To Receive Starlink STC

Systems brings highspeed broadband connectivity to the single-engine turboprop
Cessna Caravan airplane
Safety

Skyryse and Cal Fire To Deploy SkyOS for Firefighting

Simplified control and fly-by-wire envelope protection will enhance mission safety
Cal Fire
Maintenance and Modifications

Castle Air Expands Helo Maintenance with Heliwork Buy

Company expands UK footprint and adds new blade and component capabilities
Castle Air Group
Avionics

Honeywell FMS Guided Visual Approaches Add Capability

New airports and integrations give pilots more options for mitigating risk
Honeywell guided visual approaches
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Galileo Available from Textron Aviation Service Centers

System includes the HDX antenna and Gogo Avance router
Gogo Galileo satcom on Cessna Citation
Rotorcraft

Milestone and Leonardo Sign Power-by-the-hour Agreement

Deal covers more than 100 helicopters owned by the leasing company
Francesco Bellardi, Leonardo v-p customer support and services, and Kieran Hannan, Milestone Aviation head of fleet and technical operations
Maintenance and Modifications

Henderson Jet Services Harvesting HondaJet Elite Parts

Company says there is strong demand in the aftermarket
HondaJet Elite
Maintenance and Modifications

Honeywell Signs Yingling as Avionics, Engines Dealer

Company is already stocking up to fill customer needs
Yingling Aviation maintenance facility in Wichita
Regulations and Government

Provisions of Reconciliation Bill Welcomed by NBAA 

More than 50 aviation organizations support items that would benefit aviation
U.S. Capitol Building (Photo: Bill Carey)