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
In The Works: Diamond D-Jet
Diamond Aircraft is delaying the D-Jet program to install an engine with greater power output.
Aircraft
In The Works: MSJ and MLJ
The not-yet-named midsize jet and mid-light jet got the green light from Embraer’s board of directors on March 28, and Embraer plans to spend about $750 mi
Aircraft
In The Works: Phenom 300
The first Phenom 300 was rolled out on April 12 and should fly this month or next, at the latest.
Aircraft
In The Works: Embraer Phenom 100
Embraer’s Phenom 100 very light jet is speeding toward its scheduled mid-year certification.
Regulations and Government
Peak-period pricing no fix for congestion, say alphabets
The FAA’s proposal to reduce airline delays by imposing peak-period pricing to reduce congestion at busy airports is a “bad idea with no positive consequen
Regulations and Government
AD non-compliance sparks more FAA oversight
The FAA has been under intense pressure from the U.S.
Safety
More accidents, fewer fatalities for general aviation in 2007
General aviation fatalities dropped 30 percent last year, to 491 from 703 in 2006, according to the NTSB.
Maintenance and Modifications
Falcon support changes
Dassault Falcon has rearranged its two support organizations for Falcons, combining the eastern and western hemisphere customer service organizations under
Aircraft
Piper Aircraft To Stay in Vero Beach?
An April 28 Indian River County budget resolution approved $12 million to keep Piper Aircraft at its headquarters in Vero Beach, Fla., and the state of Flo
Aircraft
Honda extends jet sales beyond U.S.
Honda Aircraft’s announcement that it will offer the $3.65 million HondaJet for sale in the European market beginning this month “is a big milestone,” acco
Aircraft
Ahead of Schedule, First Phenom 300 Flies
Embraer’s Phenom 300 light jet flew for the first time yesterday, months ahead of its planned mid-year first flight schedule, lifting off from the 16,295-f
Aircraft
Criteria set for first G650 buyers
In a March 13 letter to a prospective buyer, Gulfstream outlined details of the purchase process for the new G650 ultra-long-range jet.
Aircraft
Deliveries begin for Pilatus PC-12 NG
The latest version of the Pilatus PC-12, featuring new avionics and a new engine, received FAA and EASA certification on March 28.
Aircraft
Pre-owned Market Solid for Eclipse 500s
While most business jet manufacturers rarely announce how many airplanes they have built before providing quarterly shipment numbers to the General Aviatio
Aircraft
Eclipse 500 nears full avionics functionality
Eclipse Aviation is expecting to achieve two major certification goals–flight-into-known-icing and EASA certification–for the EA-500 very light jet by July
Adam buyer focuses on A700 jet
Now that AAI Acquisition has purchased the assets of bankrupt Adam Aircraft, the number-two priority is to finish the FAA certification process for the A70
Aircraft
With MSJ and MLJ launch, Embraer expands bizjet line
Embraer is fulfilling its April 2005 promise “to invest heavily in business aviation,” with the formal launch of two new midsize jets that fit between the
Airports
FAA Congestion Pricing a ‘Bad Idea,’ NBAA Says
The FAA’s proposal to cut airline delays by imposing peak-period pricing to reduce congestion at busy airports is a “bad idea,” according to NBAA, “with no
Airports
FAA: Santa Monica Airport Ban ‘Unlawful’
The FAA issued a cease-and-desist order late yesterday ordering Santa Monica (Calif.) Airport officials to halt implementation of an
Charter & Fractional
Flight Options Founder Ricci Returns to Company
Two new investors have invested in HIG Transport Holdings, the holding company that owns Cleveland-based fractional-share provider Flight Options.
Aircraft
Sale Closed, AAI Preps To Reopen Adam Aircraft
The sale of Adam Aircraft’s assets took place as scheduled on Tuesday, according to Jan D’Angelo, the former senior vice president for international and fl
Safety
Second GWBAA Safety Standdown Deemed a Success
About 85 pilots, mechanics and flight department personnel attended the Greater Washington Business Aviation Association’s second annual safety standdown,
Sole Bidder AAI Wins Adam Aircraft Assets
AAI Acquisition will close on the purchase of bankrupt Adam Aircraft Industries on April 15, having made the only bid for the assets of the composite aircr
Aircraft
Two New Jets Formally Enlist in Embraer Family
Embraer revealed further details of its entrants into the midsize jet market, the seven- to 12-passenger midsize jet (MSJ) and mid-light jet (MLJ) at a pre
FBOs
FBO Profile: Ocean Sky
The growing success of UK FBO Ocean Sky is another sign of the improving picture for business aviation in Europe.
Airports
LAX installing safety lights
The FAA and City of Los Angeles have partnered to install runway status lights at Los Angeles International Airport.
Airports
LA studying LAX pollution
The Los Angeles board of airport commissioners awarded a $2.15 million contract to Jacobs Consultancy for a three-year study to evaluate air pollution emis
FBOs
ExecuJet adds Singapore hangar
ExecuJet Aviation Group bought a 30,000-sq-ft hangar at Singapore’s Seletar Airport and is offering maintenance and hangar storage at the facility, its fir
