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
Charter & Fractional
Flexjet sees charter business grow during first half of 2010
Fractional share provider Bombardier Flexjet is celebrating its 15th year in operation.
Airports
Operators: DCA rules unworkable
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is interested in making it easier for corporate aircraft to use Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
FBOs
Vaisala gets FAA approval for aviment RVR unit
The FAA has placed a $2.7 million order for Vaisala’s new AviMet PC-based runway visual range (RVR) system, which the FAA recently approved for ATC use.
Airports
Survey highlights slim budgets for small-airport improvement
Another casualty of the economic downturn could be funding for necessary airport infrastructure projects, according to Kathryn Solee, director of operation
Touching Bases: DOT plans rulemaking to clarify role of charter brokers
The Department of Transportation is planning to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking later this year covering the activities of air charter brokers
Regulations and Government
Touching Bases: DOT plans rulemaking to clarify role of charter brokers
The Department of Transportation is planning to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking later this year covering the activities of air charter brokers
Regulations and Government
Touching Bases: DOT plans rulemaking to clarify role of charter brokers
The Department of Transportation is planning to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking later this year covering the activities of air charter brokers
FBOs
Touching Bases: Execujet opens office in Toluca
ExecuJet has opened an office at Toluca Airport in Mexico to support its maintenance, charter/management and sales activities.
Charter & Fractional
Touching Bases: Dozens of charter companies plan ACSF audits
The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) will conduct audits of 30 Part 135 charter operators this year, adding to the 12 that have thus far been audited.
Charter & Fractional
Touching Basesd: Solairus grows in the large-cabin market
Solairus Aviation has added six large-cabin jets to its managed charter aircraft portfolio, including a Gulfstream G550 and Bombardier Challenger 601-3R.
Touching Bases: Synergy adds EMS King Air in Malta
Patients needing aeromedical evacuation from North Africa can now take advantage of a Synergy Aviation Hawker Beechcraft King Air 200 based in Malta.
Airports
Touching Bases: Flightwork's chairman buys 100 percent of company stock
FlightWorks chairman Roderick O’Shea has purchased all outstanding shares of the company from Scott Beale and is now the sole shareholder of the Kennesaw,
FBOs
Touching Bases: Rectrix expands footprint at Sarasota Airport
Rectrix Commercial Aviation Service signed a lease for four additional acres adjacent to its Hangarminium facilities and Rectrix Aerodrome Center FBO at Fl
Airports
Touching bases: Cargo Operations begin at dubai world central
Cargo traffic began operations at Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International Airport in late June, marking the opening of Dubai’s second airport.
FBOs
Touching Bases: Gwinnett County Sseek to privatize Briscoe Field
The FAA has approved plans by Georgia’s Gwinnett County to privatize Gwinnett County-Briscoe Field in Lawrenceville, Ga.
FBOs
Touching Bases: Local airport authority
takes over wilmington airparkDeutsche Post DHL has officially deeded the Wilmington Air Park in Ohio to the Clinton County Port Authority (CCPA), which is
FBOs
Touching Bases: Local airport authority
takes over wilmington airparkDeutsche Post DHL has officially deeded the Wilmington Air Park in Ohio to the Clinton County Port Authority (CCPA), which is
FBOs
Touching Bases: Three FBOs join Avfuel Network
El Aero Services, with FBOs in Carson City and Elko, Nev., has joined the Avfuel dealer network.
FBOs
Touching Bases: Million Air opens in Moses Lake
Million Air’s newest franchised FBO, Million Air Moses Lake, Wash., celebrated its grand opening on July 10.
Avionics
406-MHZ ELTs test themselves
Although the FAA does not specifically require 406-MHz emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) for U.S.-registered aircraft, it seems inevitable that owners
Maintenance and Modifications
Hot section: Western Jet Adds Reno Facility
Later this year, Gulfstream maintenance provider Western Jet will open a new facility at Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
Aircraft
Product Support Survey 2010 Part 1: Aircraft
Gulfstream once again takes the number one slot for jets (those built in the U.S.); Hawker Beechcraft takes the top spot among newer turboprops.
Avionics
Garmin, Avidyne Let the Servos Do the Flying
Garmin announced yesterday at EAA AirVenture that its new electronic stability and protection (ESP) stability augmentation system will be available on G100
Aircraft
Piper’s New Leader Jump Starts PiperJet Program
According to Piper Aircraft’s recently appointed executive vice president, Randy Groom, a year ago only 12 people were actively working on the single-engin
Aircraft
AIN 2010 Product Support Survey: Part One - Aircraft
How the Survey Was AdministeredContinued weakness in the business aviation market appears to be reflected in a low response rate to the 2010 <
Boeing’s test-center group maintains a busy schedule
Boeing’s Test and Evaluation (T&E) division is spread out over 78 locations, but testing is done at many more locations, including at suppliers and oth
Service-ready team prepares Dreamliner
As certification of the 787 Dreamliner approaches at the end of this year and launch customer All Nippon Airways (ANA) prepares to take delivery of its fir
Boeing’s new care program is worth its weight in gold
With the advent of the 787 Dreamliner, touted as a “flying WiFi hotspot” chock full of useful data that will be passed along to airline maintenance and eng
Boeing brings blue-sky interior to 737
After launching its new Sky Interior for the 737 airliner last year, Boeing has sold more than 37 customers on the new interior for more than 1,100 firm or
