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

Rotorcraft

Metro Aviation First with EMS STC for Airbus H160

Delivery of the first modified helicopter is due in early 2026
Airbus Helicopters H160
Charter & Fractional

JetSafe Launches Vision Jet-based Shareowner Program

Aircraft will be based at primary service areas throughout the U.S.
JetSafe Shared Visions
Cabin Interior and Electronics

SpaceX Chops Starlink Roam, Priority Plans by 80 Knots

Maximum speed for non-Aviation plans will top out at 391 knots
Starlink Mini
Avionics

Stevens Performs First Post-STC KA350 Autoland Install

Garmin upgrade includes autothrottle with envelope protection features
Maintenance and Modifications

ODAs Offer STC Help during Government Shutdown

Kilroy Aviation expertise can keep modification projects moving
Kilroy Aviation logo
Aircraft

Middle East Buyers Sign for 600 Xpeng Land Aircraft Carriers

Aircraft can be carried by electric van to suitable flying areas
Aridge X3-F flight demo in Dubai
Training and Workforce

PHI First Air-med Operator To Deploy Loft VR Simulator

Pilots will practice emergencies and prep for Part 135 flying
Loft simulator at PHI Air Medical
Avionics

Garmin Releases Next-generation D2 Aviator Watches

New features include voice commands and PlaneSync connectivity
Garmin D2 Mach 2 smartwatch
Avionics

Hawkers Could Be Grounded by FDR Failures, Duncan Warns

Obsolete parts could mean grounding of the still-popular twinjet
Hawker FDR upgrade
Operations

FlightAware Deepens Data Access for AeroAPI Users

Customers can view and analyze historical information back to 2011.
FlightAware AeroAPI
Training and Workforce

TRU Simulation Signs First Sale of Veris VR Simulator

US Aviation Academy will use Cessna 172 simulators in its pilot training program
TRU Simulation and US Aviation Academy
Avionics

Honda Aircraft Completes Autoland TIA Tests, SAF Flight

Garmin's safety system will be added to the HondaJet Elite II
Fueling HondaJet with 100% SAF
Safety

Polaris Awarded Research Contract for AI Safety Platform

Secure cloud-based platform will help military aviators evaluate risks and lessons learned
Polaris Aero Vocus
Engines

GE Explores Dust Effects on Turbine Engine Operations

Proprietary formula took more than 15 years to develop
GE RISE engine testing
Operations

Gulfstream’s Fleet Flies More than 3 Million Miles on SAF

SAF use at company headquarters in Savannah is set to grow 50% this year
Gulfstream G400
Aircraft

Otto Aerospace Phantom Makes Last-minute NBAA-BACE Debut

Company aims to fly in 2027 and achieve certification in 2030
Otto Aerospace engineering mockup of Phantom 3500
Maintenance and Modifications

Parts Flying Out of Massive Textron Aviation Warehouse

Three global warehouses maintain inventory of about 150,000 parts
Textron warehouse boxes
Maintenance and Modifications

Alpine Aerotech STCs EFIS for Bells, Bear Paw for H145

Projects help customers improve efficiency and safety
Bear Paw H145
Cabin Interior and Electronics

FAA Approves Starlink for Citation Latitude, Longitude

Company has developed six Starlink STCs this year
Starlink on Cessna Citation Sovereign+
Safety

Argus Enhances and Expands Gold Audit Standard

New criteria cover 14 audit categories in operations and maintenance
Argus booth at NBAA-BACE 2025
Aircraft

Daher Plans To Double Turboprop Sales in Brazil

Company is close to breaking ground on a manufacturing facility in Florida
Daher Kodiak 900 at NBAA-BACE 2025
Maintenance and Modifications

Gulfstream Adds Repair and Overhaul Facility in Dallas-Fort Worth Area

Specializes in component services
Gulfstream Texas MRO
Avionics

David Clark’s New Jet-X Headset Lands at NBAA-BACE

Offers lightweight fit with little clamping pressure
David Clark Jet-X headset
Cabin Interior and Electronics

SmartSky Resurrected as Apcela ATG

The restored air-to-ground connectivity network has new cybersecurity features
SmartSky gear
Maintenance and Modifications

Camp Systems, West Star Partner on AI Operations Manager

Artifical intelligence tool will help MROs improve opertaions and business efficiency
Camp Systems and West Star AI ops manager
Cabin Interior and Electronics

ACI Jet Completes CMS Install, Signs for ILS SalesEdge

Installation modernizes the jet without compromising existing woodwork
Challenger 605
Charter & Fractional

Lone Mountain Travel Picks Moove AI Booking Tool

Arrangements made on behalf of Big Sky resorts and ranches
Moove and Lone Mountain Travel
Maintenance and Modifications

Jets MRO Puts Aircraft Mechanics’ Needs as Top Priority

Dallas-based company’s low turnover keeps maintenance work on time
Jets MRO
Maintenance and Modifications

Blackhawk Gets FAA Approval for TBM 700 Engine Upgrade

XP66D package adds 150 shp and improved climb and cruise performance
Blackhawk modified TBM 700
Maintenance and Modifications

Maintenance Track Participants Earn IA Renewal Credits

Five maintenance-related sessions will meet the eight-hour training requirement
Crowds at NBAA-BACE exhibit floor