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
Cirrus Jet Single Flying by Oshkosh?
At the EBACE show in Geneva last week, Cirrus Design’s full-size mockup of its single-engine (and yet-to-be-named) jet enjoyed a prominent spot in Hall 7 n
Maintenance and Modifications
FAA Backs Down after MRO Company Fights Back`
After issuing emergency orders of revocation, the FAA agreed to rescind its revocation of Tulsa, Okla.-based Southwest Aviation Specialties’ repair station
Aircraft
With introduction of Premier II, Hawker Beech boosts range, speed
Hawker Beechcraft launched the Premier II update to the single-pilot Premier I on May 19 on the eve of the EBACE show in Geneva.
Airports
SMO Ban Repealed, Pending Further FAA Action
The city of Santa Monica’s latest attempt to prohibit operation of Category C and D jets at Santa Monica (Calif.) Airport (SMO) is on hold again, following
ATA: ‘Lavish Jet Planes’ Are Clogging the Airways
In an e-mail sent by Air Transport Association (ATA) president and CEO James May to airline customers, the ATA cites the heavy influx of business jets to t
Aircraft
Mustangs galloping to Russia
Cessna Aircraft announced yesterday an order for 20 Citation Mustang very light jets from Russian charter operator Dexter and 24 Citations by Austria’s Jet
Aircraft
Hawker Beechcraft Holds Commitments for 70 Premier IIs
After announcing the launch of the Premier II on Monday, Hawker Beechcraft yesterday revealed it has firm orders for 40 aircraft and lesser commitments for
Avionics
Boeing tweaks BBJ with EVS
Boeing continues to add utility to its BBJ series corporate jets, and the latest effort is the addition of enhanced vision system (EVS) capability to the B
Aircraft
Long-awaited Premier II ‘excites’ HBC
Hawker Beechcraft announced the long-awaited upgrade of the Premier light jet yesterday evening, highlighting improvements in range, time to climb, maximum
Aircraft
Hawker Beechcraft Premieres the Premier II at EBACE
This afternoon at EBACE Hawker Beechcraft announced the $7.365 million (2010 $) Premier II, a long-awaited performance-enhanced version of the Premier IA.
Regulations and Government
FAA Might Put Freeze on Polished Frost Rule
The FAA today issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to remove wording in Parts 91, 125 and 135 allowing pilots to take off with frost on wings, stabilizer
Charter & Fractional
DayJet Scales Back after Failed Capital Infusion
Eclipse 500 air-taxi operator DayJet has “reduced its employee base across most areas of its business,” according to president and CEO Ed Iacobucci in a st
Safety
Runway safety council formed
The FAA and aviation industry have formed a Runway Safety Council to examine root causes of runway incursions and make recommendations about runway safety.
Airports
New Branson Airport to open
A privately owned and developed airport is under construction eight miles south of Branson, Mo., designed to serve vacationers flying to the Branson area,
FBOs
FBO Profile: Jackson Hole Aviation
Jackson Hole Airport in Wyoming has the unfortunate distinction of being the only large public-use airport located in a national park and operating under a
FBOs
Air BP at more FBOs
Carlsbad, Calif.-based FBO Jet Source has selected Air BP as its primary fuel supplier.
Airports
New runway opens at Houston executive
Privately owned and operated Houston Executive Airport, west of Houston, has completed a runway extension to 6,610 feet.
FBOs
Key Air expanding to Minneapolis
FBO and charter/management company Key Air is building a new FBO at Anoka County-Blaine Airport in Minneapolis.
FBOs
TotalFBO now web-enabled
Horizon Business Concepts’ TotalFBO software is now available in an online version.
Regulations and Government
Santa Monica blasts FAA interference in noise plan
The City of Santa Monica, Calif., planned to implement its new ordinance prohibiting operation of category C and D aircraft at the city’s airport beginning
Airports
Florida airport for sale
The owner of a private airport in Tallahassee, Fla., has decided to sell the property and has set an asking price of $11.6 million.
FBOs
Sheltair adding Savannah FBO
Pilots who are wondering when a second FBO will open at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport finally have an answer.
MD54 provides gateway to downtown Baltimore
For Dan Naor, a helicopter owner and pilot and partner in the busy Baltimore Marine Center in the Maryland city’s downtown harbor, landing at the nearest a
Aircraft
In The Works: Gulfstream G650
Gulfstream’s new G650 ultra-long-range jet will feature a wing built by Spirit AeroSystems.
Aircraft
In The Works: Aerion Supersonic Business Jet
Although it has yet to find an aircraft manufacturer willing to help design and build the world’s first supersonic business jet, Aerion has built an order
Aircraft
In The Works: Pilatus PC-12 NG
The next-generation version of the Pilatus PC-12 is certified and deliveries have begun, so the single-engine turboprop is dropping off the In The Works ch
