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

GMR Orders Seven Bell 429s for EMS Operations

New helicopters will be deployed in the second quarter of 2026
GMR buys Bell 429s
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Dassault Obtains STC for Gogo Galileo in Falcon 2000

System provides access to Eutelsat OneWeb satellite network
Gogo Galileo HDX approved for Falcon 2000
Training and Workforce

Apple Vision Pro Could Help Helicopter Students Shine

Flight Sight brings the real world of training into a virtual reality platform
Flight Sight app development
Charter & Fractional

Flexjet Launches Ultra-performance Service with 3 G700s

Ultra-long-range jets will operate under company's Red Label program
Flexjet G700
Maintenance and Modifications

Blackhawk Installs First King Air 350 Autoland System

Adds under- and overspeed protection, engine-out mitigation, and emergency automatic landing capability
Blackhawk installs first King Air 350 autothrottle/autoland system
Rotorcraft

Aero Asset Reports Twin-helo Sales Down, Supply Steady

Asia-Pacific was the only region with a retail sales increase
Leonardo AW139
Avionics

Garmin Adds Sherpa Air as Service, Installation Center

Company plans to develop upgrades for Part 25 aircraft
Sherpa Air hangar
Training and Workforce

Brelyon Displays Solve VR Motion Sickness Problem

A significant number of people feel motion sickness with virtual reality headsets
Brelyon's Ultra Reality Extend display
Security

Oregon Airport Breach Results in Suspect’s Arrest

North Bend Police charged trespasser with 17 counts
Airport operations at Southwest Oregon Regional Airport
Aircraft

AI Accelerates Otto Aerospace Phantom 3500 Aerodynamics

Optimizes laminar-flow design of the clean-sheet jet
Otto Aerospace Phantom 3500
Maintenance and Modifications

Mission Aviation Adopts ELMS Compliance Solution

System makes it easier to ensure training requirements are met
David Moiti, MAF Uganda training manager
Maintenance and Modifications

SMS Due for U.S. Repair Stations Holding EASA Approval

Deadline is approaching rapidly, and experts worry that repair stations are not ready
Maintenance technician working on airplane
Training and Workforce

TRU's Veris VR Simulator Gains FAA Qualification

Bell Training Academy is the launch customer for the Veris simulator
TRU Veris flight simulator
Maintenance and Modifications

Avcon Approved for Non-Halon Extinguishers in Learjets

Halotron BrX replacement units are size-equivalent and weigh about the same
Halotron fire extinguisher
Accidents

Naples Accident Docket Reveals Focus on Hung Starts

Crashed jet’s engine data appeared to mirror hung start characteristics
Challenger 604 crash data
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Phoenix Air Installs Government Starlink on Learjet

Starshield system provides real-time connectivity for military missions
Phoenix Air Group Starshield installation team
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

Class A Launches New Underwriter, Partners with CJP

Data-driven approach to coverage will reward pilots for continuous training and safety focus
Class A Insurance
Rotorcraft

Robinson Helicopter Celebrates R22 50th Anniversary

Founder’s basement project spawned one of the most prolific helicopter manufacturers
Frank Robinson, founder of Robinson Helicopter
Maintenance and Modifications

Aerox Acquires Gas Cylinder Manufacturer N23D Services

Company’s products equip airline, business aviation, and military aircraft
N23D cylinders
Rotorcraft

Rotortrade Africa Market Analysis Sees Growth Potential

Humanitarian agencies are relying less on Russia-built rotorcraft
Henley Air, South Africa
ATC

DEF CON Talk Warns of ATC Voice Cloning ‘Nightmare’

Audio engineer demonstrates how easy it is to replicate controllers’ voices
Air traffic control voice cloning
Training and Workforce

Loft Dynamics Funding Raise To Support VR Sim Programs

Company plans to accelerate programs that serve airlines and helicopter operators
Loft Dynamics virtual reality flight simulator
Maintenance and Modifications

Savvy’s Anomaly Detection Uses AI To Analyze Engines

System will help discover problems that can then be addressed by human experts
Cirrus SR22 airplane
Avionics

Acron Awarded Standby Display Contract for USCG Jayhawk

U.S. Coast Guard deal has option years that run though 2030
Sikorsky MH-60T Jayhawk
Rotorcraft

Robinson Taking in Trades on New Helicopters

Program helps buyers upgrade to the latest technology and safety features
Robinson R44
Avionics

Elliott Aviation Completes 5th G600 TXi CJ Installation

Company says it has installed the most Garmin upgrades of any dealer
Elliott installed Garmin G600 TXi display and GFC 600 autopilot in a Cessna CitationJet.
Operations

Surf Air Second-quarter Revenue and Losses Climb

Adjusted EBITDA drop exceeded company’s expectations
Surf Air Cessna Caravan airplane
Rotorcraft

Arcadea Buys Maintenance Software Provider ADSoftware

Combination creates "one-stop" solution for operations and maintenance
Vellox senior leadership team
Cabin Interior and Electronics

BizjetMobile Certus Satcom Available for U.S. Aircraft

Installation in a Gulfstream GIV-SP completed by Prodigious Jet Services
BizjetMobile satellite communications
Rotorcraft

ODAV, Yamaha Exploring Uncrewed Helo for Fire Response

Agreement covers evaluation of Fazer SAR to help mitigate wildfires
Yamaha Fazer SAR uncrewed helicopter