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
Safety
Bombardier Safety Standdown 2006
Traditionally, the term “safety standdown” refers to a temporary halt to military operations following a string of accidents.
Training and Workforce
SFAR outlines tougher training requirements
Following its safety evaluation of the Mitsubishi MU-2 last year, the FAA has issued a proposed Special FAR that will force all current and future MU-2 pil
Safety
Gulfstream V causes runway incursion at Los Angeles
The FAA has interviewed the pilots of a Gulfstream V that caused a runway incursion on September 30 at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), during whic
Aircraft
Movers & Shakers: Honda defined the compact car. Can it do the same thing with a business jet?
On August 8 Honda Motor Co.
Aircraft
Sales brisk for new HondaJet
The HondaJet officially went on sale at last month’s NBAA Convention in Orlando, racking up orders for “more than” 100 airplanes by the end of the three-da
Aircraft
Congressman introduces bill to ground MU-2 fleet
Despite the issuance by the FAA of a Special FAR (SFAR) mandating initial and recurrent training for MU-2 pilots, lawmakers still want the airplane grounde
Safety
FAA clarifies ‘polished frost’ rule
The FAA issued a new Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO 06014) that seeks to clarify the conditions under which pilots can take off with frost adhering to ai
FBOs
SheltAir buys Sowell facility at Panama City
SheltAir Aviation Services expanded its Florida FBO stable to seven and total count to eight with the acquisition of Sowell Aviation Services at Panama Cit
FBOs
Fayetteville Million Air unveils renovation
After eight months of renovations of its FBO facility, Million Air Fayetteville, Ark., held a grand reopening on August 11.
FBOs
Love Field sees regal sale
JetDirect Aviation purchased Regal Aviation, an FBO, maintenance, sales and charter/management company based at Dallas Love Field.
Airports
African business aviation on the rise
Business aviation is growing in Africa, according to Ettore Poggi, managing director of ExecuJet South Africa.
Airports
Rocket Man touching down at Ellington
Houston Ellington Field, home to NASA’s C-9 “Vomit Comet” microgravity research airplane, is expanding to attract more general aviation activity by making
FBOs
Dallas facility is an accidental FBO
The newest FBO building at Dallas Love Field Airport is six years old but looks younger.
FBOs
Air Group Fuel Program tackles trip costs
Aircraft management firm The Air Group launched a discount fuel program and a co-branded Visa card available free to its management clients and for a fee t
FBOs
AirNav adding AirBoss fuel card for transient pilots
Airport information provider AirNav is launching AirBoss, a new fuel card membership service that is open to pilots and FBOs.
FBOs
Allison adds Million Air at Lafayette Regional Airport
Kenneth Allison has added another FBO, the former Lafayette Regional Airport in Louisiana, to his group of Million Air-branded facilities, bringing the tot
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).
