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

Maintenance and Modifications

Mexico Approves HondaJet APMG S Upgrade Program

Package is available for classic and earlier modified models
HondaJet APMG S upgrade program
Avionics

Garmin Adds Mexico, Bahamas To FliteCharts, SafeTaxi

Charts available for avionics or EFB app
Garmin SafeTaxi chart
Aircraft

Pilot Report: Citation Ascend Is the Ultimate XLS

A logical upgrade brings new avionics and a refreshed cabin to the classic jet
Textron Aviation Citation Ascend
Aircraft

Otto Aerospace Freezes Phantom 3500 Jet Design

Preliminary design review supports goal of super-midsize performance
Otto Aerospace Phantom 3500
Safety

OpsGroup Warns Pilots To Check LPV Approach Notams

Problem stems from design of missed approach segments
Safety

Smoke and Fire Events a Hot Topic at BASS 2026

Training is needed to prepare pilots for these high-risk challenges
Lisa Sasse, David Wroth, Nate Klatt, Jim Zanino
Safety

More Than 100 TBM Owners Participate in Safety Program

TBMOPA-developed TAAP offers significant safety benefits
Daher TBM 960 aircraft
Maintenance and Modifications

Héroux-Devtek Taps Antavia for Landing Gear MRO

Authorization expands services for European Embraer Legacy and Praetor operators
Marc-Olivier Gagnon, Héroux-Devtek VP, Engineering & Product Support, and Laurent Bouissou, DVP, AMETEK MRO ANTAVIA
Safety

FSF Panel Addresses Safety Solutions Based on 2025 Data

Focus on organizational resilience as a means of learning from errors
Paige Kroner, Susie Scott, Adam Duszak, Daniel Marimoto
Cabin Interior and Electronics

FCC Gives Classic Gogo ATG a Six-month Reprieve

Move also delays launch of 4G service until Nov. 8, 2026
Gogo user
Engines

P&WC Opens Morocco Engine Parts Manufacturing Facility

RTX business expects to create 200 new jobs by 2030
Pratt & Whitney Canada's Morocco facility
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Yingling in Final Steps for Hawker Gogo Avance STC

Upgrade will enable a variety of connectivity options for classic jets
Gogo Avance LX5 airborne connectivity system
Safety

BASS 2026 Highlights Business Aviation Safety Culture

71st summit held in partnership with NBAA and NATA
David Belastock, captain at Bechtel
Accidents

Aviation Coalition Aims To Rein in Slackline Hazards

Striking objects at low altitude is one of the greatest risks to helicopter operations
Slackline across Superior Canyon
Rotorcraft

Bell Sells Three 429s to UK, Estonia VIP Operators

VIP interior can accommodate up to seven passengers
Bell 429 helicopter cabin
Aircraft

Drennan Takes Helm as Touw Leaves Otto Aerospace

Company is developing the Phantom 3500 business jet
Scott Drennan, new CEO at Otto Aerospace
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Textron Aviation Expands Airborne Connectivity Options

Starlink now available for 560XL series, and Gogo 5G in a variety of Citation models
Starlink satcom for Citation 560XL
Accidents

AD NPRM on CF34-3 Engine a Result of Hop-A-Jet Crash

Rule would require tests and maintenance actions following hung starts
GE CF34-3 engine
Maintenance and Modifications

Is Too Much Maintenance Reducing Aircraft Reliability?

Reliability and availability can benefit from less hands-on attention
Bombardier Tucson, Arizona service center
Cabin Interior and Electronics

ANAC, EASA, FAA Certify Embraer Praetor 600E Upgrade

Features add to cabin comfort and utility
Embraer Praetor 600E business jet
Maintenance and Modifications

SkyWay Adds CitationJet/CJ1/M2s to SkyFlush Upgrade

Eliminates need to carry waste tank through cabin for emptying
SkyWay SkyFlush installation
Maintenance and Modifications

EFA Buys 90% Stake in MRO Provider Superior Air

Greece-based company will be able to expand into defense markets
Superior Air in Greece
Maintenance and Modifications

Aloft, 101 Aviation STCing Lithium Battery for GIV, GV

True Blue Power batteries weigh up to 60% less than conventional units
True Blue Power TB50 lithium-ion battery
Security

Pilots Held in Guinea Freed from Jail, but in Detention

No information is available about when they might be released
CBS News interview with Brad Schlenker
Accidents

Hop-A-Jet: NTSB Final Report Is ‘Accurate Assessment’

Company wants lessons learned to be shared in bizav community
N823KD Hop-A-Jet Challenger 604
Accidents

NTSB: Corroded Engine VG Parts Caused Naples CL604 Crash

Engines were sent to the manufacturer for evaluation
Accident
Cabin Interior and Electronics

SpaceX Revises Pricing for GA Starlink Access

New service levels provide more data for the same or lower pricing
Cirrus FLEX SR Mount Starlink Mini antenna system
FutureFlight

VerdeGo Makes Move from R&D to Customer Deliveries

Pre-certification powerplant offers OEMs opportunities for testing
Article image
Avionics

EASA Approves Multiple Garmin Avionics Retrofits

Products offer improved functionality and capabilities
Garmin Perspective+ in Europe
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

ForeFlight Launches Aircraft Insurance Marketplace

Goal is to make the process similar to buying car coverage
Jeppesen ForeFlight insurance