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

Two TBM turboprop singles are at the Daher static display (SD19) this week at EBACE 2018, illustrating the benefits of operating the high-performance airplane in commercial service following last year’s approval of single-engine turboprop IFR (SET-IFR) rules in Europe.

 


Charter operator Voldirect was the first to gain SET-IFR approval and logged 407 flights in 2017, while expanding its TBM 850 fleet to three from one. “We expect that to continue going up in 2018,” said Nicolas Chabbert, senior v-p of the Daher Airplane Business Unit.

 


Daher offers specific assistance for charter operators to ensure they are able to serve their customers and also with establishing new charter services. “We are committed to support our operators to finalize their program,” he said.

 


The French company itself is unique as a Tier 1 aerospace supplier that is also an aircraft manufacturer, according to CEO Didier Kayat. With more than 10,000 employees and $1.2 billion annual turnover, Daher’s revenue is split 50/50 between manufacturing and services. The company’s backlog currently stands at three years.

 


Last year, TBM deliveries were the second best in the history of the program, Kayat said, and last year Daher signed its first contract with Boeing, for manufacture of 787 thermoplastic composite structural parts.

 


Long-term strategic plans for Daher include expanding its operations in the U.S. and further investments in digital technology and innovation. The company’s new team in Silicon Valley is partnering with and investing in start-up companies, he said, “to help us increase our digitization. We will be a global player because our market is global.”

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.

Daher Eying Opportunity in Europe, Drives to Digital

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2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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.

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Kerry Lynch

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.

Deal to close this year

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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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