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
Is Cessna Considering a Large-cabin Jet?
Recent news reports suggest that there might be a follow-on to the Longitude.
Regulations and Government
Pilot Shortage Hitting Home at Racca Member Airlines
Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association members are perturbed about the shortage of qualified pilots.
Aircraft
Piaggio Aerospace Realigns Organizational Structure
Four Piaggio Aerospace executives have taken on new positions as part of the restructuring.
Avionics
EASA Approves SwiftBroadband Mod with ICG eRouter
The eRouter adds Wi-Fi connectivity to the Global Express.
Airports
NBAA Files Part 16 Complaint To Halt Hampton Restrictions
The Part 16 complaint filed with the FAA could stop East Hampton restrictions and also withhold federal transportation funds.
Avionics
Levaero Receives STC for Lexavia EVS in PC-12NG
A pending second issue of the STC will allow installation of the LFS6000 in legacy PC-12s equipped with compatible MFDs.
Avionics
ADS-B Packages Under Way for Honeywell Primus Flight Decks
The upgrades will meet the latest DO-260B standards required for U.S. and European ADS-B out compliance.
Avionics
Astronics Adds Lower-priced Enhanced Vision System
Target market for the new Max-Viz 1200X enhanced-vision system is the light general aviation, kit-building and experimental aircraft markets.
Maintenance and Modifications
Ontic Experiencing Unprecedented Growth
Ontic is expanding as growth continues to support more repair and manufacturing licensing deals.
Aircraft
Embraer Sees Positive Signs in Business Jet Market
New technology in the Legacy 450 and 500 jets will stimulate new deliveries, according to Embraer.
ATC
NBAA, NATA Raise Concerns about ATC Separation from FAA
May 19 hearing on FAA reauthorization covers air traffic control modernization and reform.
Maintenance and Modifications
Embraer Doubling Size of Le Bourget MRO Facility
Embraer’s factory-owned service center is moving to a larger facility with better customer access at Le Bourget Airport.
Airlines
Pilot Shortage Turns to Crisis among Small Cargo Carriers
Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association members search for solutions
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Dassault Chooses Venue for 5X, 8X Cabin Systems
Aircraft OEMs and the aftermarket are expanding installations of the Rockwell Collins Venue cabin management system.
Airports
ArincDirect Adds Services and ICG eRouter
Rockwell Collins partners with International Communications Group to offer eRouter.
Avionics
Pro Line Fusion Touchscreens Populate King Air Cockpits
The new Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion touchscreen displays are slated for flight decks in the entire King Air line.
Aircraft
Gulfstream G500 Logs Maiden Flight
The Gulfstream G500 took flight on May 18 at 10:39 a.m. local time, with test pilots Scott Martin and Kevin Claffy at the helm.
Aircraft
Flying the New Legacy 500
Embraer’s new fly-by-wire Legacy 500 brings a new level of capability to the midsize jet market.
Airports
Signature Van Nuys Builds New Customs Facility
The new customs service allows international business jet arrivals to land directly at Van Nuys Airport instead of at LAX.
Charter & Fractional
Flexjet Celebrates 20th Anniversary and Orders Legacy 450s and 500s
The fractional-share provider is expanding its fleet, both in size and aircraft types.
Maintenance and Modifications
Vocollect Voice-guided MRO System Speeds APU Repairs
Honeywell’s APU MRO line is the first aerospace application for the company’s Vocollect voice inspection solution.
Airports
Universal Aviation Adds New Services in North Africa
Five Universal Aviation employees will help customers in Marrakech, Casablanca and Rabat.
Airports
Avplan Flight Activity on the Upswing
Avfuel’s Avplan Trip Support focuses on satisfying client needs, with all staffers responsible for quality control.
Airports
New Delhi Office Supports UAS Expansion
UAS International Trip Support is tapping growing interest in business aviation in the Indian subcontinent.
ArincDirect Phasing Out Support for Older FOS Versions
A new version of FOS is being released this month, and sometime this year ArincDirect will halt support for versions earlier than 3.11.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
AIN Blog: Tiny Drone Does It Again
How high is the risk of a tiny drone flying in Washington, D.C. airspace?
Maintenance and Modifications
True Blue Seeking STC for Caravan Lithium-ion Battery
The Caravan STC is the first publically announced application for the TB44 main-ship lithium-ion battery.
Maintenance and Modifications
Camp Systems Acquires Corridor Maintenance Software
The future of maintenance is trend monitoring the many sensors installed on aircraft, according to Camp Systems.
Maintenance and Modifications
Traxxall Enters Maintenance Tracking Arena
The new maintenance tracking provider says it offers an alternative to existing services
Aircraft
Cirrus Aircraft Selects Knoxville for 'Vision' Customer Center
The new Vision Center will open at Knoxville McGhee Tyson Airport in the second quarter of 2016.
