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 href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aviation-international-news/2013-09-04/airfone-shutdown-imminent-no-extensions">Aircell will shut down the Airfone air-to-ground communications network</a> as scheduled on December 31, and after that date Airfone users will no longer be able to make calls. Business aviation Airfone users have been using MagnaStar systems to make calls, and a variety of options are available to upgrade or replace those systems.


Aircell is still offering discounts on its ATG2000, ATG4000 and ATG5000 Gogo Biz air-to-ground equipment, and with a $9,995 software upgrade these can deliver Aircell’s new <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ainalerts/2013-08-29/gogo-biz-voice-allow-air-calls-smartphones">smartphone-based Text &amp; Talk service</a>. The Aircell ATG2000 retails for $57,000 and works with up to three devices.


MagnaStar users can continue to use their systems if hooked up to a satcom system, and Teledyne Controls continues to support MagnaStar systems. Besides <a href="http://www.airfonetransition.com">Aircell service</a> and installed satcom systems, companies such as ExecJet Mobile and Arinc Direct have portable Iridium satellite communications devices that can be used for voice calls and emailing/texting. Starting prices are about $25,000, and costs are higher if there is no Iridium transceiver already installed in the aircraft. While ExecJet’s Bizjet Mobile systems are available now, the Arinc Xplore device won’t be available until early next year.

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

Airfone Users Have Several Options Before Shutdown

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Amy Wilder

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.

Jet Access brings full-service approach to upgrade

Jet Access Completes Third Excel G5000 Retrofit

Jessica Reed

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

Move facilitates integrationinto AW139 fleets operating across Asia-Pacific

PAG To Distribute Honeywell RDR-7000 Radar in Asia

Charles Alcock

News, issues, personnel, equipment and developments about air traffic management.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Ailumina Vista visual traffic detection system could first be used on helicopters 

AI and Sensors Set to Boost Aircraft Situational Awareness 

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

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.

Pilots report improved situational awareness with in-cockpit traffic display

Acron Aviation Demos SafeRoute+ ADS-B In Solutions

Kerry Lynch

Range of updates offered

Garmin Expands Navigation Database to South Pacific

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.

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