<p>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.</p>


Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

<p>When Cessna announced the formal launch of the Columbus large-cabin jet program earlier this year, chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton said that it was a good time to build a new airplane despite the economic situation, which has worsened since that announcement. Backing up that assertion, Cessna on October 29 celebrated the start of construction of the 600,000-sq-ft Columbus design and assembly facility at Mid-Continent Airport in Wichita. Cessna and architecture and engineering firms McCluggage Van Sickle &amp; Perry and Professional Engineering Consultants are working toward compliance with the green building standards set by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design organization. Against the backdrop of some recently announced cutbacks and staffing reductions on current Citation programs, Cessna said it expects to spend as much as $780 million on the Columbus program and create up to 1,000 new jobs. The $27 million Columbus is scheduled for FAA certification by the end of 2013 and entry-into-service is planned for 2014. </p>


In the works: Cessna Aircraft – Citation Columbus

When Cessna announced the formal launch of the Columbus large-cabin jet program earlier this year, chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton said that it was

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