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

SmartSky Networks has closed Series B financing of $170 million to pay for deployment of its U.S. air-to-ground 4G LTE airborne connectivity network. SmartSky expects the service to be available later this year, with first installations in the second quarter, following STC approvals.&nbsp;


The first STC will be in a Citation Excel, according to SmartSky president Ryan Stone. Avionics manufacturer Avidyne is building the airborne radio, antenna and installation kit, obtaining FAA parts manufacturer approval and the STC. Avidyne will be the manufacturing partner for SmartSky hardware for the target market of smaller business aircraft. SmartSky partners, including Avidyne, will develop and own the installation STCs.


The 40-pound airborne system will comprise a transceiver and Wi-Fi router by Satcom Direct. Initially, SmartSky will require two antennas mounted on the fuselage belly, but the company is planning on a single-antenna system in the future. SmartSky has conducted in-flight testing using its Cessna 337 Skymaster piston twin, but currently the smallest aircraft the system will likely be installed on will be King Airs.&nbsp;


The SmartSky air-to-ground network will require 230 to 250 antennas to cover the U.S. Antennas are installed on existing cellular network towers, but pointed to the sky to avoid interference with the cellphone system. Like Gogo’s air-to-ground network, SmartSky service won’t be available below 10,000 feet.&nbsp;While SmartSky doesn’t provide a speed number for its network, it promises seamless airborne Internet connectivity, and its 4G LTE system is designed to allow multiple users to stream video simultaneously.&nbsp;

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

SmartSky Completes Equity Funding for ATG Network

The SmartSky 4G LTE airborne connectivity system is expected to go live later this year.

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

Scandinavian Avionics To Support Legacy Nighthawk Systems

Curt Epstein

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

AIN Product Support Survey 2026: Avionics

Kerry Lynch

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

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

AIN Roundtable—Readying for Potential Navigation Spoofing, Jamming

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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

Ciconia C&CAS Demos Coordination, Collision Avoidance

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.

More In Avionics

Scandinavian Avionics To Support Legacy Nighthawk Systems

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

AIN Product Support Survey 2026: Avionics

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

AIN Roundtable—Readying for Potential Navigation Spoofing, Jamming

Experts gather to discuss the problems and solutions surrounding GNSS interference

Ciconia C&CAS Demos Coordination, Collision Avoidance

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

Garmin Expands SmartCharts Reach to Canada and Mexico

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

Autoland-equipped Phenom 300EV Gets Trio of Approvals

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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