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
Airports
Lifting the veil: flight department welcomes public
It shouldn’t be news that a corporate flight department is inviting the public to a day of fun at the local airport, but in an era when users of private je
Aircraft
In the works: Epic Aircraft-Elegance, Genesis
At the Sun ’n’ Fun Fly-In in Lakeland, Fla., in April, Epic Aircraft launched a pair of turbine twins.
Aircraft
In the works:Dornier Seaplane-Seastar
Dornier Seaplane exhibited its all-composite Seastar amphibian at the Canadian Business Aviation Association show in Montreal in late May, showing off fres
Aircraft
In the works: Cessna-Citation CJ4
Cessna joined the wings and fuselage of the third CJ4 in mid-May, marking major assembly of the first CJ4 in Cessna’s new assembly line using production to
Aircraft
EASA Suspends Eclipse 500 Type Certificate
The European Aviation Safety Agency earlier this month suspended the European type certificate (TC) held by bankrupt Eclipse Aviation.
Avionics
More on Honeywell’s EGPWS Front
Honeywell is offering a new product called “long landing”–an EGPWS software solution, in addition to its new SmartLanding.
Avionics
SmartLanding software adds approach guidance to EGPWS
The verdict has been in for a long time: a stabilized approach is an essential part of a safe landing.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Aviation Insurance
In an economy that has ravaged aviation, one stable segment is the insurance industry, but change is coming.
Regulations and Government
High cost of hangar fire codes
If they didn’t already know it, attendees at the NATA FBO Leadership Conference held last month in Chantilly, Va., learned that fire codes set by the Natio
Where have all the (JetDirect) people gone?
Now that JetDirect Aviation has closed and gone bankrupt and Wayfarer Aviation has arisen from the JetDirect assets, former employees of the once high-flyi
Security
TSA may change LASP
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) appears to be taking seriously the 7,000-plus submitted comments opposing the proposed large aircraft secu
Safety
DHS IG raps TSA for its anti-GA campaign
General aviation operations present such a limited and hypothetical threat to security that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) does not need
Aircraft
Klapmeier Team Vying To Buy Cirrus Jet Program
Alan Klapmeier, chairman of Cirrus Aircraft, has formed a team to raise funds to try to buy the Vision SF50 single-engine jet program from majority Cirrus
Airports
FAA To Decide Burbank Noise Curfew Fate by November 1
The FAA has acknowledged that the application by the Burbank Glendale Pasadena Airport Authority (BGPAA)
Maintenance and Modifications
Comeaux Pleads No Contest in Parts Scheme
Last year Jerry Roy Comeaux and his wife, Vicki, were indicted for “conspiracy to commit fraud, fraud involving aircraft parts, mail fraud, wire fraud, con
Regulations and Government
FOIA Request Seeks List of BARR Participants
A December 2008 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by investigative journalism organization
Security
DHS Report: No Need for TSA to Regulate GA Security
The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General released a report on “TSA’s Role in General Aviation Security” that concludes: “We determ
Maintenance and Modifications
AircraftLogs Adds Maintenance Features
Features added to the online aircraft tracking system AircraftLogs include a new meter-reading capability that allows users to update and adjust Hobbs and
Maintenance and Modifications
Continuum Releases Version 9 of Corridor Software
Version 9 of Continuum Applied Technology’s Corridor aviation service software includes a new multi-currency module for companies that serve international
Safety
Dassault Falcon’s Brazil Service Center Certified
Brazilian regulatory authority Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil granted repair station certification to the new Dassault Aircraft Services São Paulo servi
Maintenance and Modifications
FAA Issues SAFO on Tire Inflation Risks
After issuing a proposed Airworthiness Directive that will require operators of Learjet 60s to revise flight and maintenance manual tire inflation informat
Maintenance and Modifications
PAMA, SAE International Affiliation Ends
The July 2005 affiliation of the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association with the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) was intended to help PAMA pro
Aircraft
Spectrum Aero Unveils First S.40 Fuselage
Spectrum Aeronautical sister company Rocky Mountain Composites has completed a test article version of the all-composite S.40 Freedom midsize jet fuselage
SmartLanding software adds approach guidance to EGPWS
The verdict has been in for a long time; stabilized approaches are an essential part of a safe landing.
Optimism at NATA Charter Summit, FBO Conference
The National Air Transportation Association Air Charter Summit and FBO Leadership Conference that ended today underscored cautious optimism that the econom
Aircraft
Cirrus Jet Resumes Flying, Some Deposits Returned
As Cirrus Aircraft’s prototype Vision jet single resumes flight testing with a new Garmin G1000 avionics suite, some buyers seeking refunds of deposits for
Environment
California charter firm runs new hangar on solar power
Avjet’s new solar-powered hangar at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, Calif., represents not only the most current environmentally friendly building design but
FBOs
Touching Bases: New DCA access airports
The Transportation Security Administration has added Los Angeles International, Manchester (N.H.) and Long Beach (Calif.) airports to its list of gateways
