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
Revived Twin Otter makes first flight
Viking Air of Sidney, British Columbia, flew its DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400 prototype for the first time on October 1 from Victoria International Airport.
Pieper puts focus on Eclipse profitability
Since taking the helm at Eclipse Aviation on July 28, chairman, CEO and investor Roel Pieper has worked to turn the manufacturer from a development company
Sixth Special Olympics Airlift Preparations Begin
Cessna Aircraft yesterday launched the massive volunteer effort for the airlift of athletes to the Special Olympics, introducing actor, pilot and Citation
Aircraft
Dassault announces SVS upgrade for Falcon family’s EASy avionics
Dassault Falcon yesterday announced the long-anticipated upgrade to the Honeywell Primus Epic-based EASy (Enhanced Avionics System) flight deck: the EASy P
Avionics
Dassault Makes EASy Even Easier
Dassault Falcon today announced the long-anticipated upgrade to the Honeywell Primus Epic-based Enhanced Avionics System (EASy) flight deck–the EASy Phase
Charter & Fractional
Avantair Financials Show Revenue Jump
Fractional-share operator Avantair saw its revenues climb significantly for the fiscal year that ended on June 30.
Charter & Fractional
DayJet Eclipse 500 Fleet Might Be In Play
A group of buyers formed by Houston-based JetsAmerica is offering to purchase former DayJet Eclipse 500s from lienholder United Technologies Finance.
Aircraft
In The Works: Grob Aerospace SPn
The Grob SPn is delayed indefinitely, due to Grob Aerospace’s having declared insolvency on August 18 in Germany.
Aircraft
In the Works: Embraer Legacy 450 and 500
Embraer announced major suppliers that are participating in the joint-definition phase of the Legacy 450 and 500 midsize jet program.
Aircraft
In The Works: Cessna Citation Columbus
Cessna supplier Spirit AeroSystems will manufacture the fuselage for the Citation Columbus in a new 375,000-sq-ft factory in Wichita.
Engines
HF120 advances toward FAA tests
GE Honda Aero Engines has started building the first HF120 engine for FAA certification testing scheduled to begin early next year.
Aircraft
In The Works: Cessna Citation CJ4
Cessna flew the first production Citation CJ4, S/N001, on August 19, a little more than three months after the first flight of the prototype.
Aircraft
In The Works: Boeing BBJ3
Boeing’s first BBJ3 is nearing completion at DeCrane Aircraft in Georgetown, Del., which is installing long-range fuel tanks and a head-up display.
Regulations and Government
SCR process in place to correct certification oversights
One of the tools in the FAA’s kit is the special certification review (SCR).
More Customers Sue Eclipse for Refund
Two more lawsuits were filed against Eclipse Aviation in September, bringing to four the total number of complaints about nonrefunding of purchase deposits
FBOs
Despite slowing traffic, Atlantic grows for future
“For all intents and purposes there is an economic downturn,” said Lou Pepper, CEO of the FBO chain that is owned by Australia’s Macquarie Infrastructure.
Environment
Chevron introduces new buyer rewards program
Chevron Global Aviation has launched a fuel buyer reward program called FlyBuys that offers free gas and merchandise gift cards to customers.
Maintenance and Modifications
Gulfstream, Dassault service goes global
Aircraft manufacturers are tackling the challenges of providing after-sale support for their aircraft like never before, with stepped up efforts in areas r
Charter & Fractional
The Fractional Market
as the economy lurches from bad to worse news, the aviation industry is holding its breath, waiting to see how this downturn will affect the business jet m
Airports
The Top 10 FBOs
The results of the 2008 FBO Survey conducted by NBAA Convention News’s sister publication Aviation International News show some interesting m
Charter & Fractional
Sentient Flight Group ‘getting back to normal’
Four years ago, Steven Hankin, an executive at a Starwood Hotels division, joined Sentient Jet, an independent jet card and charter brokerage firm that was
Stevens delivers first Lear4Ever
Stevens Aviation celebrated delivery of the first Lear4Ever-modified Learjet 35 at a ceremony held at the company’s Greenville, S.C.
Training and Workforce
MU-2 Pilots embrace new training regs
Since the FAA issued the special regulation governing MU-2 pilot proficiency in February, nearly 300 pilots have completed the additional training required
Aircraft
New Very Light Jets
This year has seen some significant changes in the very light jet (VLJ) category, with two manufacturers going bankrupt and another facing serious financia
Continuing turbulence puts Eclipse on defensive
A little more than two years have passed since the Eclipse 500 very light jet received FAA certification, and since then manufacturer Eclipse Aviation (Boo
Maintenance and Modifications
Gulfstream again ranks No.1 in product support
The 2008 Product Support Survey conducted by Aviation International News revealed some interesting changes from last year, but once again Gulfstream rated
Environment
Oil price drop could be short-lived, group warns
Oil prices have slid back since reaching a peak of $145 a barrel in July, resulting in jet-A prices finally falling by a significant amount.
Aircraft
New Business Jets
Since last year’s NBAA Convention, several manufacturers have launched new airplanes or announced derivative designs based on previous models.
Aircraft
Stevens Aviation extends life of Learjets with Lear4Ever
The FAA has awarded multiple supplemental type certificates (STCs) to Stevens Aviation for a comprehensive avionics and airframe modification package for t
Charter & Fractional
Sentient and JetDirect split into two companies
Sentient Jet and JetDirect once again are operating as separate companies after agreeing in late August to separate into their original elements.
