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

Epic’s Elite VLJ made its maiden flight on June 7 from Redmond, Ore.’s Roberts Field. Performance projections for the Elite, which is powered by two Williams International FJ33-4 turbofans, include 410-knot maximum speed, 1,600-nm range with reserves at economy cruise and 1,330-pound payload with full fuel. Construction of the six- to eight-seat jet is all carbon fiber; avionics are Garmin’s G900X system. Test pilots Dave Morss and Len Fox piloted the jet’s first flight, which lasted more than 40 minutes.
Epic plans to fly the Elite to the EAA AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wis., with a public debut at AeroShell Square on July 23. Certification of the Elite is scheduled for 2009, although the company also plans to release a kit version of the VLJ later this year.

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.

In The Works: Epic Aircraft Elite

Epic’s Elite VLJ made its maiden flight on June 7 from Redmond, Ore.’s Roberts Field.

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.

G-1 issue paper is complete and progress is being made toward first flight next year

Otto Establishes Phantom 3500 FAA Certification Basis

Hanneke Weitering

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

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

Nonprofit group targets stratospheric electric flight this year

Helios Horizon Flies Solid-State Battery Demonstrator

‘Double-bubble’ fuselage promises efficiency gains

Electra Unveils Turbo-electric Airliner Concept

Kerry Lynch

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.

X-plane reached Mach 1.1 during 81-minute flight

NASA’s X-59 Demonstrator Goes Supersonic

Chad Trautvetter

More than 60 recent high school graduates join company’s apprenticeship program

Gulfstream Aero Welcomes Latest Cohort of Bizav Apprentices

Jessica Reed

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

BBJ2 and Embraer Legacy 650 will be available for global charter

ACASS Adds Two Long-range Kenya-based Jets to Fleet

Leeham News and Analysis Staff

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, 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.

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.

More In Aircraft

Otto Establishes Phantom 3500 FAA Certification Basis

G-1 issue paper is complete and progress is being made toward first flight next year

Helios Horizon Flies Solid-State Battery Demonstrator

Nonprofit group targets stratospheric electric flight this year

Electra Unveils Turbo-electric Airliner Concept

‘Double-bubble’ fuselage promises efficiency gains

NASA’s X-59 Demonstrator Goes Supersonic

X-plane reached Mach 1.1 during 81-minute flight

Gulfstream Aero Welcomes Latest Cohort of Bizav Apprentices

More than 60 recent high school graduates join company’s apprenticeship program

ACASS Adds Two Long-range Kenya-based Jets to Fleet

BBJ2 and Embraer Legacy 650 will be available for global charter

FAA Clears Boeing to Start TIA Phase 4B Testing on 777X

Milestone marks progress in efforts to complete delayed type certification

Bombardier Global 8000 Sets First Speed Record

Aircraft flew from Montreal to Nice, France, in just more than six hours

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