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&amp;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.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

Switzerland-based QCM Design has developed an EASA supplemental type certificate (STC) to replace Halon fire extinguishers in Dassault’s Falcon 7X. The change helps Falcon 7X operators meet EASA’s Regulation No 1005/2009, “which stipulates that the use of portable extinguishers which contain Halon on aircraft is no longer permitted after 2025,” according to the company.
The new extinguishers installed under the STC use European Union- and EASA-approved Halotron BrX fire-extinguishing agent, made by American Pacific of Cedar City, Utah. BrX is more suited to aviation applications because it has a “lower weight equivalence to Halon 1211,” according to American Pacific, due to its chain-breaking effect.
BrX includes bromine, a “chain-breaker atom which interferes with the chemical transitions necessary to support combustion.” The substance doesn’t leave any residue after application.
If the 7X’s configuration includes the standard two 5B:C and one 2A/10B:C extinguishers, the STC installation takes one day. If there are deviations, QCM Design can assess the best way to manage the changes. The company is also developing STCs for the Airbus A318 and A319 and expects approval by early 2025.&nbsp;

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

New EASA Approval Enables Halon-free Fire Extinguishers for Falcon 7X Jets

Halotron BrX is weight efficient and leaves no residue after application

The new extinguishers installed under the STC use European Union- and EASA-approved Halotron BrX fire-extinguishing agent, made by American Pacific of Cedar City, Utah. 

STC Enables Halon-free Fire Extinguishers for Falcon 7X

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Sarah Rose

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Increasing demand drove move to add technicians and another hangar

Thornton Aviation Expands Burbank Maintenance Services

Charles Alcock

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Enlarged and modernized Australian maintenance facility is set to open in early 2026

Textron Expands Asia Pac MRO Support at Melbourne Base

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Software helps aircraft operators manage the minimum equipment list process

TrustFlight Signs Heartland Aviation for MEL Manager

Curt Epstein

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

A new service center is expected to open in Dubai next year

Liebherr Expands Middle East Component Service Options

AmyWilder

New facility eliminates the need to fly aircraft to Europe for livery work

Satys Unveils New Aircraft Painting Facility in Dubai

Richard Pedicini

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

In this article

Falcon 7X/8X

Dassault

More In Maintenance and Modifications

Thornton Aviation Expands Burbank Maintenance Services

Increasing demand drove move to add technicians and another hangar

Textron Expands Asia Pac MRO Support at Melbourne Base

Enlarged and modernized Australian maintenance facility is set to open in early 2026

TrustFlight Signs Heartland Aviation for MEL Manager

Software helps aircraft operators manage the minimum equipment list process

Liebherr Expands Middle East Component Service Options

A new service center is expected to open in Dubai next year

Satys Unveils New Aircraft Painting Facility in Dubai

New facility eliminates the need to fly aircraft to Europe for livery work

Brazil’s Lider Pivots at Congonhas, Expands at Sorocaba

Business aircraft services company has to move from its longtime hangar at the São Paulo airport

Precision Aircraft Management Digitizes Records with Bluetail

Bluetail’s cloud-based solution streamlines operations and maintenance

Aviation Partners’ Winglet Installation Network Expands

Three MRO providers join the Aviation Partners network

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