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 Connected FMS that powers the Universal Avionics (UA) Connectivity Ecosystem has received technical standard order certification from the FAA. Connectivity Ecosystem allows the secure sharing of information from UA’s flight management system (FMS), and two UA applications are now offering services using Connected FMS.
FlightPartner enables “weather-driven smart flight planning, two-way flight plan exchanges in-flight and on the ground, and seamless interaction with third-party applications,” according to UA. The app includes a georeferenced moving map with charts and weather information, vertical profile weather depiction, airport data and terminal procedures, and tools and utilities such as a notes function and checklists.
For postflight analysis, FlightPartner connects to UA’s FlightReview app, which automatically collects FMS and aircraft data for delivery of safety and performance insights.
The Connected FMS also speeds database updates and optimizes flight time, fuel planning, and flight data reporting, according to UA, “and may be used as part of a flight department’s safety management system.”
UA plans to add more features to its Connectivity Ecosystem and FlightPartner and FlightReview apps, including ADS-B In and data-link weather for all phases of flight; weight-and-balance, takeoff and landing, and engine-out performance entries; and flight data monitoring analytics and real-time event reporting. More extensive data collection will also be available for aircraft equipped with UA’s InSight flight deck avionics suite.
Access to the Connected FMS features is enabled by UA’s Solid-State Data Transfer Unit Plus (SSDTU+), which uses low-power Wi-Fi access controls to provide secure wireless connectivity between tablets and the FMS. In-service UA SSDTUs can be upgraded to the plus configuration to add Connected FMS capability.

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

Universal Avionics Gains Connected FMS Technical Standard Order Approval

The Universal Avionics Connectivity Ecosystem adds safety and convenience features to Universal's Connected FMS.

Universal Avionics Gains Connected FMS TSO

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.

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.

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

Autoland-equipped Phenom 300EV Gets Trio of Approvals

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

Klatt Works Adds Gulfstream as Approved SAVED Supplier

Improves safety when flying into challenging airports

Honeywell Expands Guided Visual Approach List to 120

Jessica Reed

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Aircraft Electronics Association 2023

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