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
Goodbye, Palwaukee; Hello, Chicago Executive
Pilots flying to the former Palwaukee Airport north of Chicago are going to have to remember to say Chicago Executive Airport when they call the tower.
Feds research helo aging effects
When someone mentions the perils of “aging aircraft,” most people probably think about airplanes, usually large ones like the Aloha Airlines Boeing 737 tha
Bearing Inspection lowers part costs
Helicopters are expensive because the components that make up a helicopter are costly.
ATP puts it all together in latest mx software
When Aircraft Technical Publishers released its Navigator V regulatory data software in 2004, there was one key element missing: the ability to view manufa
Safety
FAA begins rulemaking process to extend runway safety margins
The FAA has decided to create a new rule to mandate a 15-percent runway landing safety margin for commercial operators instead of trying to impose the requ
Focus on Fuel: Saving on fuel (and other) costs
A few months ago, an Internet forum popular with corporate pilots erupted with a lively discussion about ways to save money while flying business jets, fro
Pilatus connects with owners at regional event
Pilatus Business Aircraft held its first-ever regional operators conference on August 17.
Aircraft
AD places limit on rare Hansa jet
There is reportedly one HFB 320 Hansa still flying or flyable, based in Turkey.
Aircraft
FAA requires more stringent training for MU-2 operators
The FAA is not planning to ground the Mitsubishi MU-2, despite a plea from Rep.
Safety
NTSB wants less trust in thrust reversers
The use of thrust reversers to shorten landing distance is a great benefit to aviation.
Safety
Proposed rule changes target icing accidents
Eleven years after the October 1994 crash of American Eagle Flight 4184 in Roselawn, Ind., the FAA proposed a revision to Part 25 certification regulations
FBOs
Signature adds another facility in California
Signature Flight Support added another FBO to its U.S.
Regulations and Government
FAA launches new program to manage en route traffic
After nearly a year of planning, the FAA is launching a new en route traffic-management tool called airspace flow programs (AFP).
Safety
FAA warns of unintended release of rotary seatbelt buckles
Pilots flying almost every type of business jet and airliner and some turboprops face a risk of inadvertent seatbelt release, according to a bulletin the F
Safety
Vigilance required to ensure ramp safety
Ramp accidents and incidents continue to plague the aviation industry, but the good news is that FBOs, charter operators and flight departments are taking
FBOs
Signature Flight Support: FBO company struggles to improve its reputation
Signature Flight Support has steadily stuck to its strategy since its founding in 1992 and has grown to become the largest multiple-base FBO company
FBOs
Showalter FBO turns 60
Orlando Executive Airport FBO and Phillips 66 dealer Showalter Flying Service is 60 years old this year and held a huge hangar party in April to celebrate
FBOs
New FBO association forming
Another aviation association is forming, this time to serve FBOs with three or fewer facilities.
FBOs
Phillips 66 overhauls web site
ConocoPhillips has redesigned its Web site to help pilots find Phillips 66 FBOs and allow FBOs to take advantage of new technology.
FBOs
Rochester sells to Million Air
Million Air franchise Regent Aviation in Saint Paul, Minn., bought Rochester Aviation at Minnesota Rochester International Airport and renamed the FBO Rege
FBOs
Three more for Trajen
FBO chain Trajen has purchased three more FBOs, bringing its total to 22 facilities.
Airports
Say goodbye to Mirabel
The passenger facilities at Canada’s Montréal-Mirabel International Airport are candidates for a $C100 million ($87 million) transformation into an “indoor
FBOs
Two new FBOs for Signature
On May 1, Signature Flight Support opened the first purpose-built business aviation center at Robin Hood Airport in Doncaster/Sheffield, UK.
FBOs
Atlas Aviation's second maes an FBO chain
As of May 1, the former Island Aviation FBO at Merritt Island Airport in Florida reopened as the second FBO owned by Atlas Aviation.
FBOs
Business aviation grows in Sioux Falls
South Dakota corporate aviation continues growing, and to meet the needs of the flying community, Business Aviation Services is building a new FBO terminal
FBOs
Charlotte, one year later
Wilson Air Center’s Charlotte/Douglas International Airport FBO in North Carolina recently celebrated one year of operation, under a management contract wi
FBOs
Macquarie buy makes it three big FBO chains
When Macquarie Infrastructure completes its planned $338 million acquisition of the Trajen FBO chain in the third quarter, the aviation industry will have
FBOs
AIN readers weigh in on value of fuel promotions
With crude oil and jet-A prices rising and demand continuing to grow, retail purchasers of fuel might wonder why fuel companies bother with promotional pro
FBOs
Interest in contract fuel rises with jet-A prices
With jet-A prices already soaring and likely to climb during the summer, business jet operators continue to seek ways to save money on fuel.
FBOs
Airport Profile: New Orleans Lakefront
When Addie Fanguy finally managed to catch a ride to New Orleans Lakefront Airport (NEW) with some National Guard friends two days after Hurricane Katrina
