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
Maintenance and Modifications
ExecuJet Bullish But Cautious About Mideast Growth
ExecuJet Middle East is planning to expand its maintenance capabilities in Dubai with a new maintenance facility at Dubai World Central’s Al Maktoum Intern
Local TV Reports Eclipse Employees Unpaid
Albuquerque’s NBC affiliate TV station, KOB, reported earlier today that the employees of Eclipse Aviation learned this morning that they will not be recei
In Memoriam: William F. O’Brien
The aviation maintenance industry lost a key friend on Sunday, November 9, when retired FAA national resource specialist Bill O’Brien passed away.
Maintenance and Modifications
Dassault Falcon To Open Reno Service Center in March
On March 30 next year Dassault Falcon will open its newest factory-owned service center at Nevada’s Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
Maintenance and Modifications
FAA’s Ballough and Sabatini Heading for Retirement
James Ballough, the FAA’s long-time director of the Flight Standards Service, has announced that he will retire at the end of the year.
Airports
Van Nuys Noisy Phaseout Could Bolster BUR Traffic
A draft environmental impact report for Van Nuys (Calif.) Airport’s “Noisier Aircraft Phaseout” project suggests that most aircraft might divert to Bob Hop
FBOs
General Dynamics Completes Jet Aviation Acquisition
Gulfstream Aerospace parent General Dynamics yesterday finalized its purchase of Zurich, Switzerland-based Jet Aviation from Permira Funds private equity g
Regulations and Government
Court Orders Stay of DOT Direct Urine Observation
Last Friday, the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (Washington, D.C.) issued a temporary stay of the Department of Transportation’s Nov
Maintenance and Modifications
JSSI Simplifies Hourly Cost Program for T-props, Helos
Operators of turboprops and helicopters can now sign up for the Jet Support Services engine hourly cost maintenance program with a no-enrollment-fee option
Maintenance and Modifications
General Dynamics Completes Jet Aviation Acquisition
Gulfstream Aerospace parent General Dynamics today finalized its purchase of Zurich, Switzerland-based Jet Aviation for approximately $2.18 billion, signif
FBOs
Airport Profile: Grissom ARB
The opening of a new runway for civil use is a rare event, but even more unusual when that runway is 12,501 feet of smooth pavement, specifically the joint
Red Bull Madness
The annual Red Bull Flugtag held in Portland, Ore., was witness to the Premier Jet line service staff’s attempt to fly their own bi-winged glider.
FBOs
Renovations continue at Salinas
Salinas Municipal Airport in central California has finished upgrades that include new offices, a conference room and modernized common areas.
FBOs
SkyTech adopts Noverant compliance system
Line supervisors and line service personnel at SkyTech, with FBOs in Rock Hill, S.C., and Baltimore are now using Noverant’s training and compliance manage
FBOs
Passur adds FBO clients
Aircraft tracking and airport data provider Passur signed up three new clients recently.
FBOs
New name for Key Air FBOs
Charter/management and FBO company Key Air has adopted the Key Air name for its three FBOs in Oxford, Conn.; Blaine, Minn.; and Fort Pierce, Fla.
Airports
San Diego seeking proposals for FBO at Brown Field
The City of San Diego has issued a request for proposals for development of a 10-acre site at Brown Field Municipal Airport.
Environment
Global Aviation adds fuel discount program
FBO Global Aviation, based at Portland-Hillsboro Airport in Oregon, has devised a new twist on consolidating contract-fuel pricing information.
FBOs
Galaxy adds Steamboat FBO
Galaxy Aviation has added a sixth FBO to its roster, with the purchase of Spectrum Jet Center at Yampa Valley Regional Airport in Hayden, Colo.
FBOs
Avfuel adds 41 FBOs this year
Since the beginning of the year, Avfuel has added 41 FBOs to its fuel dealer network.
FBOs
Aerotron building new Guadalajara FBO
Aerotron has begun construction of a new FBO at Guadalajara’s Don Miguel Hidalgo International Airport, Mexico’s third-busiest airport.
FBOs
Bologna FBO terminal dedicated
Italy’s Bologna Airport held an official presentation ceremony for the new general aviation terminal (TAG or Terminal Avizione Generale) on September 16.
Avionics
EASy Phase II upgrade adds SVS to Falcon line
Dassault Falcon last month announced the long-anticipated upgrade to the Honeywell Primus Epic-based EASy (Enhanced Avionics System) flight deck: the EASy
Aircraft
In The Works: Viking Air Twin Otter Series 400
Viking Air’s updated Series 400 Twin Otter made its first flight on October 1, and the program remains on schedule for first delivery in the middle of next
Aircraft
In The Works: King Air 350i
The 350i is a new version of the King Air 350 with Serenity System interior soundproofing, LED lighting, electrochromic window darkening and Rockwell Colli
Aircraft
In The Works: Hawker Beechcraft Hawker 450XP
Hawker Beechcraft announced the upgraded Hawker 450XP, featuring new engines, fadec-controlled Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535Ds that are 10 percent more
Aircraft
In The Works: Gulfstream G250
Gulfstream officially launched the new super-midsize G250 at the NBAA Convention.
Aircraft
In The Works: Diamond Aircraft D-Jet
Diamond D-Jet S/N 003 made its first flight on October 5 with the upgraded Williams International FJ33-5A engine.
Maintenance and Modifications
Wisconsin Aviation Consolidates Maintenance Complex
With the opening of a new 10,800-sq-ft avionics facility, all of Wisconsin Aviation’s maintenance operations at Dane County Regional Airport in Madison are
