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
Avionics
Cool City Building Low-cost Helicopter Autopilots
Jim Irwin has launched a new company that is targeting the light helicopter autopilot market.
Touchscreen Control Comes to New Garmin G2000
The move to touchscreen control of avionics gained speed today with Garmin’s announcement of the G2000 integrated flight deck, featuring its GTC 570 vehicl
SMS: FAA Folly or Beneficial Concept?
Feedback on my safety management system article in AIN’s March 2011 issue
Avionics
Wi-Fi Tests Result in Screen Blanking
According to Honeywell, tests during installation of a Wi-Fi system in an airliner found that LCDs in the airplane experienced a “momentary blanking… when
ADS-B is coming, like it or not
by Matt Thurber
Mention ADS-B in a group of pilots and the likely result is puzzled looks and a change of subject.
Avionics
Garmin digital audio panel features 3-D audio
Garmin unveiled the GMA350-series digital audio panel last month with two unique new features for aviation: voice-recognition controls and 3-D audio.
Avionics
New Avionics Abound at Reno AEA Show
At the AEA show yesterday, Universal Avionics announced it is now taking orders for its next-ge
Avionics
Voice Coming Soon to Aircell Airborne Broadband
At the AEA show yesterday, Aircell unveiled upcoming voice capability for its Go
Avionics
Garmin’s New Touchscreen Navcoms Wow AEA Crowd
Long-awaited successors to the 14-year-old Garmin GNS 430/530-series navcoms were unveiled yesterday at the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) show in
Charter & Fractional
JetDirect Estate Seeks Chapter 7 Clawback
The bankruptcy trustee for debtors associated with JetDirect Aviation
Charter & Fractional
Congo Copilot and Flight Attendant Freed, Flying Home
The copilot and flight attendant who were
Heli-Expo 2011 Breaks Previous Show Records
The Helicopter Association International’s 2011 Heli-Expo show, which closes today, looks to have exceeded expectations, with exhibitors, attendees and ord
R66 shines in the details
The obvious difference between the piston-powered R44 and the turbine-powered R66 is the engine, but there are other features that make the R66 an entire
The Most Gorgeous Thing, Ever
Anyone who knows me well can verify that I married a great-looking lady; the fairest in all the land, in my eyes.
Garmin reveals digital audio panel
Garmin yesterday unveiled the GMA 350 series digital audio panel for helicopters and fixed-wing applications, with two unique new features for aviation, vo
Heli-Expo 2011: Turbomeca sees challenge and opportunity in China
Turbomeca chairman and CEO Pierre Fabre knows that for his company to grow and prosper, it is not only necessary to sell engines to helicopter manufacturer
News note
Dart Helicopter Services (Booth Nos.
Aspen's glass cockpit helicopter market expanding
Aspen Avionics has moved aggressively into the helicopter marketplace and is displaying its Evolution flight display glass cockpit systems in three helico
CAE's AS350 simulator promotes realistic training
CAE’s new 3000-series helicopter simulator brings an extraordinary amount of realism into what is essentially a computer-driven replica of a Eurocopter AS3
Rotorcraft
Orlando Readies for Rotorcraft Roundup
From avionics manufacturers targeting the rotorcraft market to new helicopter programs, this year's Heli-Expo is shaping up to be a busy show.
Charter & Fractional
NetJets Places First-ever Bombardier Order, and It’s a Big One
NetJets, the Berkshire Hathaway-owned fractional-share operator, completed a purchase agreement late last night for up to 120 new Bombardier Global jets, a
Aircraft
China Firm To Buy Cirrus Aircraft
Cirrus Aircraft president and CEO Brent Wouters announced yesterday morning that China Aviation Industry General Aircraft (Caiga) has signed an agreement t
Can general aviation reverse its decline?
There are varying perspectives on whether general aviation (GA) is declining or poised for a renaissance generated by new interest in light sport aircraft
General aviation proves its value
General aviation is an extraordinary industry with a terrible appellation.
Maintenance and Modifications
Snap-on system tracks tools, prevents FOD
Most mechanics are familiar with the Snap-on tool truck that arrives weekly at the maintenance hangar, dispensing not only shiny and traditional wrenches a
Engines
Shortage of TPE331 Parts Affecting Operators
Operators and service centers of Honeywell TPE331-powered aircraft are reporting lengthy delays for delivery of engine parts.
