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
Aircraft
Texas Turbine upgrades Caravan
After Bobby Bishop’s Texas Turbine Conversions converted the single-engine de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter from a PT6 to a TPE331 engine, the company neede
Roel Pieper Ordered To Produce Property Documents
Etirc Aviation chairman and former Eclipse Aviation chairman Roel Pieper will have to produce records of properties that he owns, according to an order iss
Aircraft
Eclipse Aerospace Still Growing; Parts Are Flowing
Eclipse Aerospace has grown to more than 60 employees since purchasing the assets of bankrupt Eclipse Aviation on September 4, and the new company is meeti
Regulations and Government
Industry: VLJ certification changes too strict
The comment period on the FAA’s proposed changes to Part 23 certification regulations governing very light jets (VLJs) has closed, and commenters on the pr
Charter & Fractional
Jet Aviation Now a U.S. Charter Certificate Holder
Jet Aviation has purchased charter company K Services and now for the first time is the holder of a U.S.
FBOs
Air Bound Aviation Opens in Former Mac Dan Digs
The former Mac Dan Aviation FBO at Essex County Airport in Caldwell, N.J., which closed on September 30, has reopened under the new name Air Bound Aviation
Aircraft
2010 Should Be Profitable Year for Cirrus Aircraft
Despite plummeting new aircraft sales and continuing challenges paying some bills, Cirrus Aircraft should return to profitability next year, according to p
Aircraft
After Its First Flight, Boeing 787 Faces Its Sternest Tests
With the first flight of its mold-breaking 787 Dreamliner final
Roel Pieper Ordered To Produce Property Documents
Etirc Aviation chairman and former Eclipse Aviation chairman Roel Pieper will have to produce records of properties that he owns, according to an order iss
Boeing’s Dream Takes Flight with Liftoff of 787
At 10:27 a.m.
Maintenance and Modifications
Bigger Repairs at Larger Lufthansa Composite Shop
Lufthansa Technik has expanded its composite workshop at its airframe related components (ARC) facility in Hamburg, Germany, to handle repairs of large com
Maintenance and Modifications
First Aviation Closes Purchase of Kelly Aerospace Unit
In another sign that the aviation aftermarket is gaining strength, First Aviation Services on Monday closed its acquisition of Kelly Aerospace Turbine Rota
Maintenance and Modifications
Component Maker Dukes Sold to TransDigm Group
TransDigm Group has agreed to buy most of the assets of Dukes and Dukes subsidiary GST Industries for about $96 million in cash, according to TransDigm.
Engines
GE Picks Premier Turbines for M601/H80 Service
GE Aviation, which bought Walter Engines last year, has selected Premier Turbines as a designated repair center in North and South America for the M601 and
Maintenance and Modifications
Hawker Beech Charging for Older-aircraft Tech Advice
Hawker Beechcraft late last week took the wraps off a new program designed
Maintenance and Modifications
Skytech Celebrates Opening of New Service Center
Skytech, which has long been based at Martin State Airport in Baltimore, has moved its maintenance facility to Carroll County Airport in Westminster, Md.
Training and Workforce
SimCom Adds Mitsubishi MU-2 Maintenance Training
SimCom Training Centers is now offering a week-long maintenance training course for the MU-2 turboprop, to be held at MU-2 service centers in the U.S.
Safety
NTSB Data Show Loose Line a Common Crash Cause
On November 1, a Bell LongRanger operated by Rotorcraft Leasing was taking off from oil-drilling platform High Island A442A in the Gulf of Mexico en route
Regulations and Government
Poor Morale an Ongoing FAA Problem, Says GAO
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report last month highlighting continuing mo
Regulations and Government
Comments on 145 Security Proposal Mostly Negative
After the Transportation Security Administration issued a notice of proposed rulemaking for FAA-certified Part 145 repair station security on November 17,
Maintenance and Modifications
Premier Aircraft 50Dash4 Falcon Gets EASA OK
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has certified Premier Aircraft’s 50Dash4 upgrade of the Falcon 50.
Charter & Fractional
Madoff Charter Company Declares Bankruptcy
Swindler Bernard Madoff’s charter company, BLM Air Charter, filed for voluntary bankruptcy (Chapter 11) in the U.S.
Aircraft
Paris Jet, the first VLJ, is revived
The world’s first production and certified very light jet, the Morane Saulnier MS760 Paris Jet, has a new lease on life.
FBOs
FBO PROFILE: Great Circle Flight Services, Anchorage
After nearly 30 years working in aviation in Alaska, mostly for airlines and in the fueling business, Louis Jennings got the opportunity to join the genera
Environment
GFK signs fuel deal with Hiller Group
GFK Flight Support at Mark Andrews International Airport in Grand Forks, N.D., has signed with The Hiller Group to supply the FBO with Phillips 66 fuel and
Training and Workforce
Chevron adds new training topic
Chevron has unveiled the newest topic in its online FBO training series, titled Refueler Operator Training.
Airports
AOPA seeks status in SMO noise dispute
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has submitted a motion to serve as a friend of the court in the City of Santa Monica’s appeal to uphold i
FBOs
10 FBOs to receive appreciation plaques
The Wings Club presented a $25,000 donation to the Corporate Angel Network (CAN) at the club’s 67th annual dinner dance on October 23 at New York City’s Wa
