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

Bombardier Business Aircraft (Chalet A6) brought four jets to this year’s MEBAA show static display, a Learjet 75, Challenger 650 and two Global models, a 5000 and 6000. 
Global 5000 and 6000: Until the new Global 7000 enters service in the second half of 2018, the company’s largest business jets are the Global 5000 and 6000. The Global 5000 offers range of 5,200 nautical miles (9,630 kilometers), enough for a nonstop flight from Dubai to Tokyo, while the 6000 can fly 6,000 nm (11,112 km), allowing a nonstop from Dubai to Perth, Australia. These figures are for a flight at Mach .85 carrying eight passengers and three crew. Apart from range capability, the main difference between the two jets is the length of their fuselages. The Global 5000’s interior cabin length measures 12.41 meters (40.75 feet), while the Global 6000’s cabin length is 13.18 meters (43.25 feet). Late last year, Bombardier began delivering Global jets equipped with the Bombardier Wave (Wireless Access Virtually Everywhere) high-speed Ka-band satcom. Wave incorporates Inmarsat JetConnex broadband along with Honeywell JetWave satcom hardware and provides speeds of up to 15 Mbps. The Wave system also works in concert with the Rockwell Collins Venue cabin management system that is installed on Global 5000s and 6000s.
Challenger 650: The latest version of the long-in-production Challenger series, the 650 model, continues Bombardier’s tradition of delivering jets with the largest cabins in their class. With a cabin length of 7.8 meters (25.6 feet) and a width at the centerline of 2.41 meters (7.9 feet), the Challenger 650 can fly six passengers and two crew 4,000 nm (7,408 km), which enables the popular Dubai-to-London route. The Challenger 650’s Vision cockpit features Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics with synthetic vision, MultiScan weather radar and head-up display with enhanced vision allowing landings in the most challenging weather conditions.
Learjet 75: Although the Learjet 75 is the smallest in Bombardier’s business jet lineup, the light jet features a flat-floor cabin with an eight-seat double-club configuration, the only business jet in its class with that interior configuration, according to Bombardier. With a Garmin G5000-based Vision flight deck, the Learjet 75 is up to date with the latest technology, including a new cabin management system, individual touchscreen monitors, full passenger audio and video control and LED lighting. Performance capabilities include range of more than 2,000 nm (3,704 km)—Dubai to Istanbul—with four passengers and two crew, maximum altitude of 51,000 feet and cruise speed of Mach .81.

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.

Four Bombardier Jets On MEBAA Static Display

Canadian manufacturer is showing its family of business aircraft including a Learjet, a Challenger and a couple of Globals.

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.

Only the piston aircraft segment posted a decline

GAMA: Bizjets, T-props, and Rotorcraft Deliveries Up

Hanneke Weitering

Two captains held the prototype 33 feet above the water for 30 seconds

Regent Flies Electric Seaglider with Crew for First Time

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.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Icing approval would open year-round service to northern communities

Horizon Begins Icing Tests for Cavorite X7 eVTOL

Kerry Lynch

Deal to close this year

Bombardier To Grow Manufacturing Capacity with MHICA Buy

David Donald

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

The two NATO allies will purchase seven of the tanker/transport aircraft

Spain and Poland Agree to Buy A330MRTT Tanker Transports

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

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.

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.

GE Aerospace has tested the GE9X, Leap 1A, Leap 1B, and more with the 747.

GE Aerospace Flies Boeing 747 To Test New Engine Tech

Charles Alcock

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

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

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GAMA: Bizjets, T-props, and Rotorcraft Deliveries Up

Only the piston aircraft segment posted a decline

Regent Flies Electric Seaglider with Crew for First Time

Two captains held the prototype 33 feet above the water for 30 seconds

Horizon Begins Icing Tests for Cavorite X7 eVTOL

Icing approval would open year-round service to northern communities

Bombardier To Grow Manufacturing Capacity with MHICA Buy

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Helsinki Evaluates Hybrid-electric Flight Connections

City officials and a local university are working with manufacturer Electra

Zuri Prepares to Fly Hybrid-electric Cargo Drone

Platform offers 100 kilogram payload and 300 nm range

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