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

At the IBAC Business Aviation Around the World Panel held yesterday afternoon at the MEBAA 2016 show, members of business aviation associations discussed issues, challenges and positive news from the countries they represent. A consistent theme of the session was the difficulty that the business aviation industry has explaining its benefits and trying to prevent punitive restrictions; and the need for regulatory structures that encourage business aviation operations.

 


The following members of the International Business Aviation Council spoke on the panel:

 


ABAA (Australian Business Aviation Association): In Australia, a good sign is that an assessment of priorities resulted in business and general aviation flights finally enjoying equal access to major airports instead of being pushed to the back of the line behind airliners.

 


CBAA (Canadian Business Aviation Association): Canada is facing inappropriate taxation issues, in addition to airspace access and government approvals problems, but also is enjoying an improved exemptions climate for business aircraft operators.

 


AsBAA (Asian Business Aviation Association): An ongoing lack of infrastructure remains the key issue, but of even more concern is a new ban on business and general aviation at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the Philippines. The Hong Kong parking situation may improve as discussions with the airport authority continue.

 


ABAG (Associação Brasileira de Aviação Geral): Brazil successfully handled big influxes of business aircraft during the FIFA World Cup and Olympics, and aircraft sales appear to be growing as we approach the end of the year. Expectations for next year are for a relatively stable sales situation.

 


BBGA (British Business and General Aviation Association): In the UK, business aviation traffic is increasing slowly, with movements growing at Farnborough Airport, for example. The BBGA is working on its Trailblazer program to encourage young people to pursue aviation careers, either technical or flying.

 


U.S. NBAA (National Business Aviation): The debate about privatization of air traffic control is likely to come up next year when Congress resumes in mid-January. NBAA continues working on two key regional problems, namely efforts by local community members to close or greatly curtail operations at airports in Santa Monica, California and East Hampton, New York. NBAA has successfully helped to delay these closure efforts.

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