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

A <a href="http://www.ainalerts.com/ainalerts/1996%20House%20Committee%20Report%20on%20Excise%20Taxes%20for%20Air%20Transportation.pdf">1996 document</a> issued by the House Committee on Ways and Means appears to underscore the intent of Congress regarding application of the so-called “ticket tax” (federal excise tax) to airline passengers. The document contradicts a March 9 Internal Revenue Service memo that seeks to apply the 7.5-percent excise tax to fees charged by aircraft management companies to aircraft owners flying in their own aircraft for their own business or personal reasons.


The IRS <a href="http://www.ainalerts.com/ainalerts/alerts/2012-0309-CCA-Aircraft-Management-Company-Excise-Tax.pdf">memo</a> claims, “The monthly management fees, as well as the separately reimbursed amounts, paid to Management…are ‘amounts paid for taxable air transportation’ of persons, and thus are taxable…”


The Congressional Committee, however, distinguishes between commercial and non-commercial operations on page 11: “General aviation (e.g. corporate aircraft) is subject to…taxes on the fuels it uses rather than to the commercial aviation passenger and ticket and freight excise taxes.”


Footnote 8 on page 11 expands on this and gives guidance on how to determine when the ticket tax should be applied. NBAA met with the IRS chief counsel last week regarding the improper application of the ticket tax.


Meanwhile, Dave Weil of Flight Department Solutions offered <a href="http://www.ainalerts.com/ainalerts/Dave%20Weil%20Managed%20Aircraft%20Excise%20Tax%20Advice.pdf">advice</a> on how to deal with managed aircraft excise tax issues.

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.

IRS Memo Contradicts Congress’ Intent on Ticket Taxes

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

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.

Both NBAA and AOPA stressed importance of privacy on Capitol Hill

GA Groups Step Up Privacy Push for Operators

President Trump directed the removal of Brown from the board in May

Former NTSB Vice Chair Brown Sues for Reinstatement

Acquisition will enable MySky to offer state tax information alongside federal information

MySky Acquiring State Tax Guide from JSSI

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.

Industry group praises prioritizing safety and workforce support

AIA Endorses FAA Funding in FY2026 Proposal

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.

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

Department of Commerce taking comments through June 3

NBAA Urges Members To Stress Trade Importance To Gov’t

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

Rep. Nadler has co-sponsored a half-dozen bills in recent years to curb helo ops

U.S. Lawmakers Seek To Bar Helicopters in New York City

FAA told to ‘hire, hire, hire’ in its safety workforce

FAA Official: ‘Don't Over-engineer’ SMS

Charles Alcock

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

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

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