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

Liquidation Auction of Eclipse VLJ Parts, Assets Begins

Parts manufacturer Resurgent Aviation Solutions will close on August 31
Eclipse 500 on runway
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

PlaneWX Pilots Save with 5X5 Insurance Safety Rewards

Decision support system helps pilots assess risks up to 14 days ahead of planned flight
Mark Wolfgang, founder of PlaneWX
Rotorcraft

Bell 505 Makes Asia-Pacific Debut with Aichi Police

Joins fleet of longtime operator of Bell 206s and 412s
Bell 505 helicopter
Safety

Li-ion Thermal Runaways on the Rise in Aircraft Cabins

Numbers are rising and the risk of a serious incident is increasing
Fire containment bag
Training and Workforce

AOPA Foundation Adds Mx, Manufacturing to School Program

Early testing of the new curriculum could take place in 2028
Charter & Fractional

CFS Aero Moves to Fireblade Aviation FBO at OR Tambo

Will retain FBO and other services at Lanseria International Airport
Fireblade Aviation FBO at OR Tambo International Airport
Aircraft

Honda Aircraft Celebrates 20 Years

Certification took place in 2015, and 275 HondaJets have now been delivered
Honda Aircraft associates celebrate 20th anniversary
Training and Workforce

AINsight: Planes, Trains, Automobiles, and Oshkosh!

As usual, EAA AirVenture was an incredible show and an extraordinary experience
Boeing C-17 at EAA AirVenture
Aircraft

AstroAero Unveils A200C Cargo Turboprop Single

Plans call for single-pilot operations and flight into known icing approval
AstroAero A200C cockpit
Aircraft

Joby Ends Second Quarter with $2.3 Billion in Cash

Losses climb as R&D spending for certification and production accelerates
Joby eVTOL aircraft
Regulations and Government

SCOTUS To Hear Alaska Alcohol, C-206 Forfeiture Case

Issue has to do with proportionality of punishment
Ken Jouppi, owner of Cessna 206D
Rotorcraft

Enstrom Delivers 480B to Africa’s Safomar Aviation

Distributor will use the helicopter to introduce customers to its capabilities
Enstrom Helicopter 480B
Charter & Fractional

SC Aviation Acquires Wisconsin’s Heartland Aviation

Combined companies will serve clients in the upper Midwest
SC Aviation business jets
Engines

EASA Issues Type Certificate for AW09 Arriel 2K Engine

Turboshaft has flown more than 600 hours after first flight in March 2023
Safran's Arriel 2K engine
Regulations and Government

Aery Aviation Fights $15.7M FAA Proposed Civil Penalty

Issue had to do with flights conducted for the U.S. Navy as official public aircraft operations
Aery Aviation Learjet with hard points
Safety

FAA Releases Plan for Transition to Unleaded Avgas

Deadline is the end of 2030, but that may move to a later date
Aircraft

HondaJet Elite II Notches ANAC Nod, First Brazil Delivery

Very light jet has a maximum cruise speed of 422 knots
HondaJet Elite II
Safety

KDCA Crash Places Spotlight on Collision Avoidance

KDCA midair collision spawned a series of discussions on critical technology
NTSB map
Accidents

Comment Period Closes on GE CF34 Engine Corrosion AD

FAA action would require more inspections for affected turbines
GE CF34 engine variable geometry system
Aircraft

MOSAIC Opens Doors to IMC-capable Van’s Aircraft RV-12

First airplane delivered under the new rules at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
Richard VanGrunsven and Tom Snow
Aircraft

Piper Adding Service Center, Helping Robinson with R88

Both companies are collaborating on advanced metal-forming and tooling design
Aura CEO Jeremy Caussade and Piper Aircraft president and CEO John Calcagno
Aircraft

Tecnam Teases Details of Next Aircraft Program

Few details are available but the airplane will be powered by a Continental diesel engine
Tecnam Rivale
Aircraft

Daher Breaks Ground on TBM/Kodiak Final-assembly Line

New facility is co-located with company's aerostructures manufacturing plant in Stuart
Daher at Oshkosh
Engines

FAA’s Rocheleau Admits Unleaded Avgas Timeline May Slip

Deadline of Dec. 31, 2030 may have to be moved if a suitable fuel isn't available
FAA deputy administrator Chris Rocheleau
Regulations and Government

Darrin Smedsmo’s Freed Stinson on Display at Oshkosh

Airplane was detained after he made an emergency landing on tribal land
Darrin Smedsmo and his Stinson 108 airplane
Avionics

FAA Deploying Mobile Clearance for Genav/Bizav Pilots

U.S. nationwide service will begin in 2027
EAA chairman and CEO Jack Pelton and FAA deputy administrator Chris Rocheleau
Avionics

Aspen Avionics Manufacturing Moves to Phoenix

Company plans innovative avionics developments for aircraft and drones
AIRO Group Phoenix
Aircraft

Elixir Expanding Features, Developing Turbine Airplane

Fleet is expanding as new funding round supports growth
Elixir Aircraft
Maintenance and Modifications

True Blue Power Energizes SIAI-Marchetti S.211

Weighs 45 pounds less than lead-acid battery and provides faster and cooler engine start
Matthew Harrah and S.211 jet
Engines

Lycoming Boosts Time Between Overhaul to 2,600 Hours

New intervals based on endurance testing and fleet data
Lycoming Engines