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
ATC
Should all UAVs Be Equipped with Transponders?
Manufacturers of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) may no longer have an excuse not to equip their aircraft with transponders, which should make at least one
ATC
FAA Awards Operational Cert for Falcon 7X EVS
The FAA issued operational certification for the Dassault Falcon 7X enhanced vision system (EVS), which will allow pilots who have completed the required t
Civil Helo Market Poised To Resume Climbing
As the annual Heli-Expo convention prepares to open on March 6, analyst Brian Foley of Brian Foley Associates is predicting that the civil helicopter marke
Charter & Fractional
EJM Gains FAA Authorization for iPad EFB
The FAA has authorized Executive Jet Management (EJM) to replace paper terminal charts with Apple iPad-based Class 1 electronic flight bags (EFBs) running
Charter & Fractional
Gulfstream V Stuck in Congo
A Gulfstream V managed by New York City-based Arcadia Aviation was seized last week in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and the flight crew and
Heli-Expo preview
Heli-Expo returns to Orlando, Fla., March 5 to 8, bringing together more than 17,000 participants, 600 exhibitors and 65 helicopters in the spacious Orange
Avcorp Work Moving Back to Cessna, Other Suppliers
Structural assembly work done by Canada-based Avcorp will be transitioned back to Cessna facilities and other suppliers, according to a Cessna spokesman.
Aircraft
Funding facilitates Stratos 714 tunnel tests
Stratos Aircraft has received some external funding and in April and May will conduct wind-tunnel tests of a scale model of the four- to five-place single-
ATC
FCC Rescinds 121.5 ELT Prohibition
At the request of the FAA, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on January 11 rescinded its rule prohibiting the “certification, manufacture,
N-Jet Receives FAA OpsSpec for iPad in Cockpit
Chicago-based charter/management provider N-Jet has started using Apple iPads for in-flight display of approach plates.
Aircraft
In the Works: Dassault SMS
In the Works: Bombardier Learjet 85
Bombardier is leveraging its developing expertise in composite wing construction at its Belfast, Ireland facility to manufacture major wing structure for t
Aircraft
In the Works: Diamond Aircraft D-Jet
Diamond Aircraft CEO Christian Dries is focusing “more on strategy and specific programs,” following the appointment of Gerd Berchtold as CEO of the compan
Aircraft
HondaJet F1 Flying Toward Certification
On December 20, Honda Aircraft achieved a milestone in the development of the HA-420 HondaJet when it flew the first conforming HondaJet, launching the for
Maintenance and Modifications
Pratt & Whitney Buys Engine Wash Company
Pratt & Whitney yesterday purchased the assets of Gas Turbine Efficiency, which provided the technology for P&Wπs EcoPower engine wash service.
Maintenance and Modifications
Rockwell Collins Expands Shanghai Support Facilities
To support OEMs, customers and partners in China, Rockwell Collins has opened a new China System Support Center (CSSC) in Shanghai.
Maintenance and Modifications
Executive Flight Opens Seattle Satellite Repair Station
Executive Flight, a 29-year-old FBO and charter and maintenance provider headquartered in Wenatchee, Wash., has opened a satellite repair station at Boeing
Maintenance and Modifications
IA Policy Change Generates Hundreds of Comments
The FAA's proposal to clarify the definition of "actively engag
Avionics
N-Jet Receives FAA OpsSpec for iPad in Cockpit
Chicago-based charter/management provider N-Jet has started using Apple iPads for in-flight display of approach plates.
Elliott Adds ANAC Approval for King Air TCAS 4000
Brazil's Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC) has awarded Elliott Aviation an STC for the installation of Rockwell Collins's traffic alert and collisio
Aspen Targeting Larger Platforms for Autopilot Adapter
For aircraft with Aspen Avionics' EFD1000 Evolution flight display system in the panel and an autopilot that needs analog attitude information, Aspen now
Rockwell Collins Offers UAV ebook
Like it or not, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are a growing feature in skies around the world, and avionics scientists and engineers are busy designing
Aircraft
Hawker 4000 set for major upgrade program
Hawker 4000 set for major upgrade prograOwners of Hawker 4000 super-midsize jets will receive compensation in the form of alternative lift while thei
FBOs
Traffic Is Steady At Hub For Bahamas-Bound Travelers
During the economic downturn, some FBOs have enjoyed a steady flow of traffic, especially in places like the Bahamas where visitors from all over the world
