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

Today is the final day to submit comments about the FAA’s proposed new <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FAA-2025-1908">Part 108</a> rule, Normalizing Unmanned Aircraft Systems Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations (BVLOS). “The proposed rule introduces significant changes to how aircraft share the low-altitude airspace where vertical flight operations routinely take place,” according to Vertical Aviation International (VAI).
While VAI supports safe integration of drones into the National Airspace System (NAS) and “recognizes the importance of advancing BVLOS operations for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS),” it also said the “proposed rule relies on inaccurate assumptions about the low-altitude environment, proposes significant changes to long-standing right-of-way rules, and risks creating unnecessary hazards in the airspace.”
In comments to the proposed rule, VAI said that “Right-of-way rules must continue to protect the least maneuverable aircraft; manned aircraft should retain precedence over UAS within the right-of-way hierarchy,” and “Detect-and-avoid systems must include redundant, overlapping systems (including onboard broadcast receivers for UAS systems and visual and/or acoustic systems) as part of a phased approach to ensure reliable avoidance maneuvers upon the effective date of Part 108.”
Heidi Williams, NBAA v-p of air traffic services and infrastructure, said the association and its members have several concerns, “including the need for electronic conspicuity, or sharing of position, for all aircraft in the NAS.” Electronic conspicuity (EC) uses Global Navigation Satellite System-dependent signals to provide position information about aircraft or UAS, but there is no widespread agreement about how this would be implemented. For example, could antique aircraft without electrical systems use a portable EC device, as is done in the UK and Europe? Could UAS use something similar?
According to Williams, “EC solutions must be interoperable within the NAS and among relevant user groups and must consider current and future technologies. ADS-B is one, but not the only means, of achieving effective EC. Industry standards could be used to identify appropriate means of achieving EC. Universal position sharing through EC across all aircraft in the NAS would also negate the need for complex changes to the existing right-of-way regulations, since UAS would simply detect and avoid all other aircraft.”
“VAI is generally supportive of EC,” a spokesperson for the association told AIN, “but it lacks the testing, certification, and reliability needed to wholly rely on the technology as a guaranteed method to detect and avoid. We're proposing a phased approach, in addition to testing EC devices at scale, before EC is relied upon as the sole method to detect other aircraft.”
“UAS must be required to carry onboard broadcast-receiving capabilities for direct aircraft-to-aircraft deconfliction and employ additional redundant systems throughout the NAS—such as visual, acoustic, or operational mitigations—that ensure immediate and assured avoidance,” VAI added. “A phased approach is necessary until system performance and equipage rates demonstrate that reliance on a single technology can be done safely.”

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

NBAA, VAI Critical of FAA Part 108 Beyond Visual Line of Sight Drone Rule

Electronic conspicuity is needed but there is no widespread agreement on technology standards

It's the last day to submit comments on the FAA’s proposed Part 108 rule, Normalizing Unmanned Aircraft Systems Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations (BVLOS).

NBAA, VAI Critical of FAA Part 108 BVLOS Drone Rule

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Amy Wilder

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.

Company cites rising ERP adoption among operators

Nimbl Emergency Response Guide Helps Operators Prepare

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

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.

Artificial intelligence assistant monitors systems and traffic automatically

Skylar AI Assistant Will Help Simplify Pilots’ Tasks

Charles Alcock

News and information about crew, passenger, aircraft and airport security issues.

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.

Companies have joined forces to support aircraft operators worldwide

Dyami Adds Security Cover to MD Onboard’s Medical Service

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Many industries rely heavily on vulnerable Global Positioning System navigation signals

Associations Ask DOD, DOT for GPS Jamming/Spoofing Fix

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

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.

FBI and FAA now leading federal investigation

Arrest Made after Alabama Medical Helicopter Shooting

Stuart “Kipp” Lau

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

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

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Two aircraft overshot runways but were saved by an engineered materials arresting system

AINsight: The Dangers of a High-energy Approach

Gordon Gilbert

Thermal runway in personal devices represents a serious danger to aircraft

FAA Safety Alert Underscores Li-ion Battery Threat

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

More In Safety