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
Ocala Business Park plans unveiled
In October, officials of Ocala, Fla., unveiled plans for the Ocala Business Park at Ocala International Airport/Jim Taylor Field.
FBOs
Customs available at Ocean Sky
The Ocean Sky FBO at London Luton Airport offers customs and immigration clearance, thanks to a UK Border and Immigration Agency agreement to provide dedic
Airports
TEB group seeks new ATC tower
The Teterboro Airport Industry Working Group sent a letter to the FAA requesting increased priority from the agency for building a new ATC tower at the bus
FBOs
Signature upgrades Gatwick FBO
Signature Flight Support completed a major renovation of its London Gatwick FBO, enhancing the facility with modern décor featuring warm solid woods, new w
Aircraft
In the works: Viking Aircraf, DHC-6-400 Twin Otter
Viking Aircraft’s modern upgrade of the Twin Otter has entered the final phase of testing and is slated for certification shortly.
Aircraft
In the works: Aerion, Supersonic business jet
At last month’s Dubai Air Show, Aerion reiterated its ongoing efforts to find a manufacturing and development partner for its nascent supersonic business j
Aircraft
In the works: Spectrum Aeronautical, S.40 Freedom
Spectrum Aeronautical has delayed first flight of its S.40 Freedom lightweight midsize twinjet to late next year.
Aircraft
In The Works: Piper Aircraft, PiperJet
Change has come fast and furious at Piper Aircraft during the past year, with sale of the company to Imprimis by majority owner American Capital in May, fo
Airports
FAA vetoes Burbank noise curfew
On October 30 the FAA rejected the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority’s application for a nighttime noise curfew.
Maintenance and Modifications
Cessna brings mx to Citation operators
With Cessna’s new Service Direct by Citation, the company’s product-support experts have devised a way to extend Cessna-brand maintenance services to custo
Regulations and Government
FAA mulled $100M deal for Tag/AMI
The FAA considered trying to extract $100 million from Tag Aviation during its investigation of the firm in 2007 before revoking the charter company’s oper
Charter & Fractional
Charter firm SATSair shuts down
The recession appears to have claimed another victim, charter operator SATSair, which
Sentient Jet thrives in down economy
Since Sentient Jet was purchased by Macquarie Global Opportunities Partners last September, the company has returned to its roots, according to CEO Steven
Charter & Fractional
Broker Virgin Charter shuts down operations
Virgin Charter, the online charter brokerage
Former Eclipse execs embroiled in lawsuits
Although Eclipse Aviation no longer exists, having been liquidated following a Chapter 7
NATA Business Roundtable Meets Key Policy Makers
At the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) Aviation Business Roundtable Monday and Tuesday, more than 65 aviation business leaders shared their
NetJets 3Q Results a Drag on Berkshire Hathaway
Revenues at NetJets, Berkshire Hathaway’s fractional jet share company, dropped $471 million (41 percent) in the third quarter of 2009 and $1.495 billion (
TSB Critiques CBAA Oversight in 2007 Accident
Canada’s Transportation Safety Board (TSB) yesterday released the
ARG/US Data Shows Improvement in Flying Activity
Business aircraft activity in October climbed 5.14 percent over September, according to Aviation Research Group/U.S.
Aircraft
Hawker Beechcraft 3Q GA Sales Down by $98.6 Million
During an earnings conference call yesterday, Hawker Beechcraft reported a drop in business and general aviation (B&GA) sales of $98.6 million for the thir
Aircraft
Lawsuits Filed Against Eclipse Aviation Leaders
Former deposit-holders for Eclipse 500 very light jets recently filed four lawsuits in New Mexico district courts alleging various wrongdoings by Eclipse A
Charter & Fractional
JetSuite Launches Phenom 100 Charter DayCards
JetSuite, which plans to begin flying in the western U.S.
Airports
FAA to Burbank: Nighttime Noise Curfew a No-go
On Friday, the FAA rejected the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Auth
A modest proposal to boost general aviation
Aviation has always been a tightly knit and closed society.
Safety
Icing- and Autopilot-related Incidents
• In January 2006, two pilots flying an American Eagle Saab 340 out of San Luis County Regional Airport in San Luis Obispo, Calif., nearly lost control aft
Safety
As winter nears, turn off autopilot in icing
Ever since the crash of American Eagle Flight 4184 (an ATR 72) in Roselawn, Ind., on Oct.
Hudson ditching pilots to chair EAA’s Young Eagles
Pilot, aircraft owner and actor Harrison Ford passed the EAA Young Eagles baton to two now-famous pilots who will serve as co-chairmen of the Experimental
Aircraft
Modifications under way, Eclipse focuses on parts
Eclipse Aerospace held a supplier summit on October 27 for manufacturers and vendors of Eclipse EA500 very light jet components.
Aircraft
In the works: Spectrum-S40
Spectrum Aeronautical is preparing to manufacture a second S.40 test fuselage as it continues to refine its processes and manufacturing technology since co
