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

The FAA has approved the Mid-Canada Mod Center (MC2) Fans supplemental type certificate (STC) for the Challenger 604. The STC was previously approved by Transport Canada, and it offers a lower-cost option for 604 owners and operators looking to upgrade to Fans 1/A+ capability, which is required in much of the North Atlantic Track System airspace (this year the requirement grows to include FL350 to FL390 in the NATS).


The STC incorporates the TrueNorth Avionics TN1007-100 Iridium datalink, which was tested with an Inmarsat SwiftBroadband satcom already installed in the 604 used for certification, to ensure that there was no interference between the two systems. The Fans-over-Iridium datalink “is a much less expensive alternative to the use of Inmarsat for Fans datalink communications,” according to MC2.


What makes the MC2 Fans STC even more cost effective is that it is a standalone system that interfaces with the existing Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 avionics, but is not a fully integrated system that involves upgrading the existing FMSs. The STC adds a Universal Avionics UNS-1Lw FMS in the center pedestal, and this FMS’s control-display unit is used for all Fans datalink messaging. The STC covers a Miltope printer for printing datalink messages. A voice audible warning lets pilots know that there is an incoming datalink message.&nbsp;


The Universal FMS includes an SBAS-GPS sensor, which eliminates the need to upgrade the existing FMSs with a Waas-LPV GPS receiver.&nbsp;


The required recording of datalink communications is provided by a Universal Avionics CVR-120R cockpit voice recorder&nbsp;with an independent power supply for backup. Also included in the STC is Universal’s UniLink UL-801 communications management unit and solid-state data transfer unit.


“The Challenger 604 has become a business aviation standard around the world,” said MC2 vice-president Bill Arsenault. “Adding capability to an aircraft ‘fleet’ as large as this one brings operational advantages and cost efficiencies that owners will quickly realize. The lead customer aircraft for this STC has been in continuous operation since the fall of 2015 with proven results to support the choices made.


“While the OEMs are doing a good job of supporting their legacy aircraft, those of us considered independent modification providers are able to find alternative and sometimes more customized solutions with somewhat more flexibility in pricing. We now have several existing STCs to answer the [upcoming] mandate, and more coming.”

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

Mid-Canada Mod Adds CL604 FAA Fans Approval

The Mid-Canada Mod Center STC adds Fans 1/A+ capability to the Challenger 604 as a standalone upgrade.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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.

Billund, Denmark-based company will also offer dealer coordination for European customers

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Curt Epstein

AIN readers rate avionics, cabin management, and airborne connectivity manufacturers

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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.

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.

Experts gather to discuss the problems and solutions surrounding GNSS interference

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News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Product enables aircraft to work together with no need for satcom or cellular communications

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News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

New release adds missed approach climb gradient table and climb gradient values on departure procedures

Garmin Expands SmartCharts Reach to Canada and Mexico

Charles Alcock

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.

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Billund, Denmark-based company will also offer dealer coordination for European customers

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Light jet now approved by Brazilian, U.S., and European regulators

Klatt Works Adds Gulfstream as Approved SAVED Supplier

Expands availability of company's oxygen-mask head-up display system

Honeywell Expands Guided Visual Approach List to 120

Improves safety when flying into challenging airports

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