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

Expanded StandardAero KAGS Inducts First Gulfstreams

Facility added a maintenance hangar and expanded engine shop
New expansion at StandardAero facility in Augusta, Georgia
Rotorcraft

Bristow Taps Centrik 5 for Safety, Risk, Compliance

Global operator integrating software to facilitate safety management system
Bristow Sikorsky S-92A helicopter
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

Jeteffect Celebrating 25 Years in the Broker Business

Company services clients from offices on the West and East Coasts
JetEffect at NBAA-BACE show
Charter & Fractional

HTM Adopts Moove’s Charter Digital Booking Platform

System facilitates scheduling, passenger information, and mission execution
HTM helicopter
Rotorcraft

Airbus Helicopters H175 Gets Transport Canada Nod

Third country to certify the multirole rotorcraft
Airbus H175 helicopter
Safety

Stakeholders Express Support, Opposition to ALERT Act

Dispute centers on ADS-B In equipage and alerting requirements
Avionics

Aircraft Analysis Services Join FlyGarmin Platform

Providers add value to data captured from aircraft systems
FlyGarmin data sharing and analysis
Avionics

FAA STCs Garmin Height Advisor for Certified Aircraft

Small unit installs on the bottom of the aircraft and provides audible advisories
Garmin GHA 15 height advisor
Maintenance and Modifications

SPAES Approved for EASA CS-25 Avionics Modifications

Adds to company’s Part 21J independent design organization privileges
SPAES avionics services
Training and Workforce

Gama Aviation Adds King Air Maintenance Training

Enhances customer flexibility with classes in Bournemouth and Glasgow
Beechcraft King Air
Accidents

Mx Process ID’d as Possible Issue in H160 Ditching

Cenipa report examined camera images from helicopter and hangar feed
Omni Helicopters H160 incident
Avionics

Garmin Opening Flight Test, Cert Facility in Mesa

Supports market development and flying operations for new products
Garmin Mesa Gateway
Rotorcraft

Alpine Aerotech Utility Basket STC Approved on Bell 412

Adds 32.8 cu ft of carrying capacity to the helicopter
Bell 412 helicopter
Aircraft

Singapore Welcomes the Falcon 6X to Show Site

Singapore Airshow offers Dassault an opportunity to engage customers in a promising market.
Falcon 6X at Singapore Airshow 2026
FBOs

WingsOverAsia Breaks Ground for Seletar Jet Hangar

More than 50 high-value jobs will come as a result of the new facility
WingsOverAsia
Aircraft

Airbus Milestones Include Massive Order Backlog

Last year's deliveres included 793 airplanes, of which 278 were for Asia-Pacific airlines
Airbus A350-1000
Aircraft

Cirrus Aircraft Unveils Third-generation G3 Vision Jet

Jet is gaining ground for business travelers and charter users
Cirrus G3 Vision Jet
Avionics

StableLight Autopilot Adds Big Helo Capability to AStar

System improves safety in all helicopter flight regimes
Thales test pilot Nico Couder
Rotorcraft

Proponents Fighting To Keep Downtown Heliports Open

Once closed, critical facilities will never be replaced
IU Health helicopter at 8A4 Indianapolis Heliport
Security

Echodyne MESA Radars Close Critical Detection Gaps

System has no moving parts, low weight, and low power requirements
EchoFlight MESA radar on AATI UAV
Airports

Santa Monica Voters Show Support To Keep Airport Open

Two-thirds of those surveyed want to keep KSMO, and a majority do not want it turned it into a park
Santa Monica Airport
Rotorcraft

Aero Asset Reports Helo Sales Drop, Climb in Value

2025 single-engine report highlights reduced supply and higher transaction prices
Leonardo A119Kx
Cabin Interior and Electronics

‘Flurry of Activity’ Propels SmartJets into New Year

Company specializes in preowned aircraft sales and refurbishment
VIP Completions Starlight headliner in a G550
Avionics

More Runways Served by Honeywell Guided Visual Approaches

Procedures simplify visual approaches and make them safer to fly
FGV approach KPDK
Accidents

NTSB Probable Cause Cites FAA Lapses in DCA Collision

Hearing resulted in 50 recommendations to the FAA, U.S. Army, and other agencies
NTSB image showing DCA midair collision
Training and Workforce

Bizav Leaders Recognized as Living Legends of Aviation

23rd annual ceremony held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel
John Travolta and Mark Burns
Engines

Billion-dollar Settlement Ends Honeywell, Flexjet Fight

Agreement also extends the fractional-share operator’s maintenance service plan
Flexjet's new headquarters and control center at KCGF
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Sporty’s Adds Flight Gear Starlink Mini Mounting System

Device can accommodate up to 8.5 pounds and windows from 13 to 19.5 inches
Sporty's Starlink Mini antenna mount
Maintenance and Modifications

Citadel Completions Expands, Rebrands as Citadel Aviation

Company expands into full-service completions, refurbishment, and maintenance provider
Connor Wiesant and Greg Colgan, Citadel Aviation
Maintenance and Modifications

Elliott Aviation Marks 90 Years with Founder’s Award

Winner of the first award is 27-year employee Paul Schmidt
Paul Schmidt and Elliott Aviation president Michael Parrish