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

The FAA has updated the helicopter route chart for the Washington, D.C. area as part of the regular 52-day update cycle and incorporated permanent changes after the January 29 midair collision between a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 and U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. Helicopter Route 4, which the Black Hawk was following, no longer exists, and Route 1 and other routes have been modified, both near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (KIAD), and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (KBWI).
According to the FAA, Route 1 and 5 are to be used only by priority aircraft such as medical and law enforcement operations “unless specifically authorized by air traffic control.” This change was enacted immediately after the accident.
Other changes include reducing the boundaries of Zones 1, 2, and 5 and adding notes to the <a href="https://aeronav.faa.gov/visual/10-02-2025/PDFs/Balt-Wash_Heli.pdf">chart</a> “to improve clarity around altitude and operational instructions.” With the elimination of Route 4, there is now no VFR helicopter route south past KDCA.
The closest route is where Route 1 turns east past Hains Point about half a mile from KDCA, and helicopters flying south past the Memorial Bridge and Hains point “should be at or below 200 feet,” according to the chart. These are VFR routes and the FAA’s definition of “should” means that a procedure is recommended, so these altitudes are still not mandatory. “All routes may be altered at pilot’s request or as directed by ATC,” according to the chart notes.
Since the midair collision, the FAA has changed procedures “to eliminate helicopter and fixed-wing mixed traffic near the airport “ and closed Route 4 permanentaly between Hains Point and the Wilson Bridge. It also has “revised agreements with the military to require ADS-B Out broadcasting “ and “eliminated the use of visual separation within 5 miles of the airport .”

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

FAA Publishes New Washington, D.C.-area Helicopter Route Charts

Notes added to clarify altitude and operational instructions

According to the FAA, Route 1 and 5 are only to be used by priority aircraft such as medical and law enforcement operations “unless specifically authorized by air traffic control.” 

FAA Publishes New D.C.-area Helicopter Route Charts

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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.

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.

Airports on the ravaged island remain closed in the storm's wake

After Melissa Pummeled Jamaica, Aviation Aid Readies

The two aeromedical companies will partner on in-flight urgent care

Aircare International and Air Nurses Form Alliance

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Secure cloud-based platform will help military aviators evaluate risks and lessons learned 

Polaris Awarded Research Contract for AI Safety Platform

Amy Wilder

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Simple chemistry drives major aviation safety advance

Fail-safe Pitot Cover Aims To Save Lives, Money

The company is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year

MedAire Launches Contingency360 at NBAA-BACE

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

More In Safety

After Melissa Pummeled Jamaica, Aviation Aid Readies

Airports on the ravaged island remain closed in the storm's wake

Aircare International and Air Nurses Form Alliance

The two aeromedical companies will partner on in-flight urgent care

Polaris Awarded Research Contract for AI Safety Platform

Secure cloud-based platform will help military aviators evaluate risks and lessons learned

Fail-safe Pitot Cover Aims To Save Lives, Money

Simple chemistry drives major aviation safety advance

MedAire Launches Contingency360 at NBAA-BACE

The company is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year

Argus Enhances and Expands Gold Audit Standard

New criteria cover 14 audit categories in operations and maintenance

MD Onboard Broadens Health Tech Collaborations

Medical tech includes real-time ECG monitoring and AI-driven camera vital scans

CST Flight Services Signs On as IBAC Industry Partner

Industry Partner Program provides forum for stakeholders to offer safety insight to IBAC

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN