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 issued a <a href="https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/GENOT_N_JO_7110_801_Interim-Helicopter_Separation_Procedures.pdf">general notice</a> yesterday that eliminates the use of visual separation between airplanes and helicopters in Class B, Class C, and Terminal Radar Service Area airspace. According to the FAA, “Where helicopters cross airport arrival or departure paths, air traffic controllers will use radar to keep the aircraft specific lateral or vertical distances apart.”
Following the midair collision between a PSA Airlines CRJ700 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on Jan. 29, 2025, the FAA conducted a review of cross-traffic data and incident reports. The analysis showed that visual separation in high-traffic areas “was not enough of a safety mitigation tool,” the FAA explained.
“Today, we are proactively mitigating risks before they affect the traveling public,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “Following the midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, we looked at similar operations across the national airspace. We identified an over-reliance on pilot ‘see and avoid’ operations that contribute to safety events involving helicopters and airplanes.”
The new restrictions may cause helicopter operators who have previously received immediate approval to transit the affected areas to fly a different route or endure delays. Airlines may be disrupted,&nbsp;the FAA added, while priority clearance is provided for urgent medical or law enforcement helicopter missions.&nbsp;The general notice takes effect immediately.

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

FAA Mandates Radar for Separation between Airplanes and Helicopters

Agency issued a general notice to highlight the change

The FAA said that airlines may be disrupted while priority clearance is provided for urgent medical or law enforcement helicopter missions. 

FAA Mandates Radar for Airplane, Helicopter Separation

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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.

Private funding sped up the process to add new IFR procedures

Monmouth Airport Deploys LPV Instrument Approaches

Charles Alcock

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

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.

Movements at airports including Stansted, Luton, Birmingham, and Biggin Hill are being examined

Police Probe Epstein Private Jet Flights at UK Airports 

Curt Epstein

Projects are slated to wrap up later this year

Upgrades on Tap for North Carolina Genav Airport

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-thirds of those surveyed want to keep KSMO,  and a majority do not want it turned it into a park

Santa Monica Voters Show Support To Keep Airport Open

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.

Requirements apply to some but not all business aircraft flights

Doubts Raised over EU Border Control Rule Changes

Charlotte Bailey

European permissions augment FAA approvals received in 2023 and 2024 

Gulfstream G500, G600 Get EASA Steep-approach Nods

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

 Upcoming vertiport to include provision for future eVTOL aircraft 

Skyports and Linden Plan Heliport At Miami's Watson Island

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

More In Airports

Monmouth Airport Deploys LPV Instrument Approaches

Private funding sped up the process to add new IFR procedures

Police Probe Epstein Private Jet Flights at UK Airports

Movements at airports including Stansted, Luton, Birmingham, and Biggin Hill are being examined

Upgrades on Tap for North Carolina Genav Airport

Projects are slated to wrap up later this year

Santa Monica Voters Show Support To Keep Airport Open

Two-thirds of those surveyed want to keep KSMO, and a majority do not want it turned it into a park

Doubts Raised over EU Border Control Rule Changes

Requirements apply to some but not all business aircraft flights

Gulfstream G500, G600 Get EASA Steep-approach Nods

European permissions augment FAA approvals received in 2023 and 2024

Skyports and Linden Plan Heliport At Miami's Watson Island

Upcoming vertiport to include provision for future eVTOL aircraft

Business Aircraft Now Banned from Eindhoven Airport

Based aircraft have relocated to other Dutch airports

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