Author

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

Aircraft

Honda Aircraft Prepares for Echelon First Flight

Company has delayed program but reports progress on manufacturing
HondaJet Echelon mockup
Avionics

Sentry ADS-B In Receivers Reach 100,000-sold Milestone

Device works with ForeFlight Mobile app and delivers key safety information to pilots
Sentry ADS-B In receiver
Operations

Jeppesen ForeFlight Adds New Airflow Agents

Business aviation features make Dispatch and the Mobile app more useful
Cabin Interior and Electronics

PlaneSense Picks Gogo Galileo for Entire Pilatus Fleet

Fractional operator’s PC-12s and PC-24s will be satcom-equipped by end of 2027
PlaneSense PC-24 and PC-12
Maintenance and Modifications

Blackhawk Wins Anti-ice, Prop STCs; Launches Mobile Support

Avex Performance Center in Broomfield, Colorado, adds mobile maintenance services
Avex Performance Center mobile maintenance support
Safety

Piper PA-46 Owners Enjoy PMOPA Convention Benefits

M-Class owners gathered in Colorado Springs for annual convention
PMOPA Convention at Cutter Aviation Colorado Springs
Maintenance and Modifications

101 Aviation STC Tames the Li-on aboard Gulfstreams

True Blue Power battery has an average lifespan of eight years
Article image
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Duncan Aviation Orders 40 Galileo HDX Satcom Systems

Pre-stocking inventory makes it easier to satisfy customer requirements
An arrow points to the Gogo Galileo HDX antenna on top of the fuselage of a business jet
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Clemens Aviation and Alto Modernize Falcon 900EX Cabin

Upgrade includes touchscreen and membrane-style cabin controllers
Maintenance and Modifications

Textron Aviation Realigns Mobile Service Network Teams

1Call, Go Teams, and mobile service units consolidated under Seth Parsons
Textron Aviation mobile service network
Maintenance and Modifications

Bluetail’s Auto Research Delivers Records in Seconds

System reduces research time while linking to supporting records
Bluetail AI research
Maintenance and Modifications

EASA Approves Lithium-ion Main-ship Battery for EC135

TB30 or TB40 weighs up to 19.4 kg less than the original nicad system
Heli Austria Airbus EC135 helicopter
Avionics

Citation XLS Gets Elliott’s 100th Garmin G5000 Upgrade

Avionics package is also available for Beechjet 400A and Hawker 400XP
Elliott Aviation 100th Garmin G5000 avionics installation
Rotorcraft

Aviation Wins with Reversal of Indy Heliport Closure

Plans called for selling the 5.36-acre property to the city of Indianapolis
VAI's Cade Clark and Katia Veraza
Aircraft

Cirrus TRAC10 Is Core for Fleet Training Programs

Company’s newest design is now available for flight school buyers
Cirrus TRAC 10 training airplane
Maintenance and Modifications

GPMS Signs Wisk Air for Bell 412 and 407 GXi HUMS

MEMS-based system delivers actionable data to support proactive maintenance
Wisk Air Helicopters and GPMS International
Maintenance and Modifications

Collins Expanding Des Moines Manufacturing Facility

Growth will add jobs and additional 3D printing and maintenance capacity
Collins Aerospace groundbreaking at West Des Moines facility
Maintenance and Modifications

Eclipse Buying Parts-maker Resurgent Aviation Solutions

Resolves a situation that could have eliminated a key source of parts
Article image
Avionics

Honeywell FMS Guided Visuals Gain Departure Procedures

Coded in the nav database, visual procedures improve safety and comfort
guided visuals departures
Avionics

Skyband Taps Iridium To Handle GNSS Jamming, Spoofing

Independent system can help pilots navigate when avionics are compromised
Skyband Systems GPS Threat Map
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Gogo Galileo Solves In-flight Mx Problem over Atlantic

High-speed satcom facilitates live video calling
Pro Star Aviation Gogo Galileo installation on G280 jet
Charter & Fractional

Little Hawk TBM 910 Joining 45 North Charter Fleet

Starlink-equipped turboprop expands travel options for Scottsdale-based customers
Little Hawk Logistics Daher TBM 910 turboprop airplane
Training and Workforce

In-Flight Crew Connections Outlines Hiring Strategies

Urges flight departments to pay more attention to staffing issues
business jet engine maintenance
Training and Workforce

Final Flight: Passionate Pilot Michael Donahoe Sr. Dies

Patriarch of a flying family put a fleet of business aircraft to work
Michael Donahoe Sr.
Maintenance and Modifications

Ontic Opens Dedicated Tewkesbury UK MRO Facility

Part of a $30 million investment, the facility consolidates company capabilities
Ontic cuts ribbon on Tewkesbury facility
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Volare Aviation Refurbishment Transforms Challenger 604

Design includes matte exterior paint, full interior refurbishment, and upgraded avionics
Volare Aviation's Challenger 604 business jet refurbishment
Regulations and Government

Delaware Court Overturns SmartSky Damages Award

Patent complaint was filed in 2022
Smartsky connectivity on a Citation CJ3
Avionics

FAA Certifies Garmin Autoland in Epic E1000 AX

Single-engine turboprop features multiple buttons for easy passenger access
Epic Aircraft E1000 AX single-engine turboprop airplane
Airports

Phoenix Airports Studying Surface Alert Technology

SURF-A offers safety benefits for pilots and airport operators
Honeywell SURF-A collision-avoidance technology
Avionics

Ontic Buys SIRS Navigation Magnetic Compass Business

Manufacturer of products for legacy aircraft will help ensure long-term support
SIRS Navigation compass