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

Yesterday, Signature Flight Support celebrated the grand opening of its newest FBO at Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) in the heart of Silicon Valley. Claimed to be the world’s largest FBO, the facility is built on 29 acres, for which Signature holds a 50-year lease. There are 18.5 acres of ramp space, which will be pressed into service in less than two weeks as visitors begin flying in for Super Bowl 50 in nearby San Francisco, including the team airplanes for the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos and an estimated 150 additional business aircraft.

 


The new facility has seven hangars totaling 240,000 sq ft, one of which (at 60,000 sq ft) is built to house two Boeing 767s. In addition to a spacious atrium lobby, the FBO offers 10,000 sq ft of office space, a dedicated fuel farm, two conference rooms (one with its own lounge), two quiet rooms and lounges and a flight planning area for pilots. The design of the “circuit garden” outdoor seating area adjacent to the lobby mimics shapes of an integrated circuit, acknowledging the Silicon Valley connection.

 


This is Signature’s first FBO that it built on empty ground—the area was used for long-term parking—and it opened for transient traffic last November. “This is a culmination of many years of Signature trying to be in Silicon Valley,” said Signature president and COO Maria Sastre. “We are here for years to come. We’re contributing to this economy. We’re creating jobs. We’re bringing influential business leaders to San Jose. This is the face of San Jose today.”

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Signature Flight Opens 'World’s Largest FBO' at SJC

Signature Flight Support's new San Jose FBO includes a 60,000-sq-ft hangar that can fit two 767s.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Curt Epstein

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.

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