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

Canada-based Diamond Aircraft has again suspended its single-engine D-Jet program and has temporarily laid off the majority of its workforce while it restructures. “Regrettably, we need to suspend activity on the D-Jet program, pending the securing of additional funding,” said Diamond president and CEO Peter Maurer in a press release issued yesterday.


In November 2011, Dubai-based <a href="http://ainonline.com/aviation-news/ainalerts/2011-11-15/dubai-firm-acquire-major-share-diamond-aircraft">Medrar Financial Group announced that it had agreed to purchase a majority interest in Diamond Aircraft</a> (the Canadian operation, not Austria-based Diamond Aircraft Industries). At the time, Medrar CEO Jamil Marmarchi said, “Medrar will ensure the company’s capital needs are met and Diamond continues to lead the industry with emphasis on enhancing the D-Jet market status.”


Last year, Diamond Aircraft delivered 156 airplanes worth $53.5 million, according to GAMA. In 2011, Diamond Aircraft delivered 185 airplanes worth $73.1 million. The Diamond release cited “continuing low piston aircraft sales, especially in the North American market, and the significant burden of its cost-intensive D-Jet development program” for its latest action.


In March 2011, <a href="http://ainonline.com/aviation-news/ainalerts/2011-03-29/diamond-aircraft-suspends-d-jet-program">Diamond suspended the D-Jet program</a> and temporarily laid off 213 employees while it sought further funding from the Canadian government. In November 2006, <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ainalerts/2006-11-13/diamond-selects-d-jet-training-organization">Airline Transport Professionals ordered 20 D-Jets</a> and signed an agreement to provide training for D-Jet buyers.

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