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 Thales StableLight four-axis autopilot has received FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) approval for installation in Airbus Helicopters AS350/H125s. StandardAero partnered with Thales to develop the StableLight STC.
EASA and Transport Canada approvals should follow soon, according to Thales. MacNeil Aviation, the private flight operation for WeatherTech and Pet Comfort founder and CEO David MacNeil, is the launch customer for the first H125 StableLight system.
The StableLight autopilot is based on Thales’ Compact Autopilot System and leverages the European avionics manufacturer’s experience with its transport-category autopilot systems. To keep the system light and small, Thales uses its Smart+ in-line actuators that host autopilot and flight director software. The actuators don’t move the cyclic while providing continuous stability augmentation.
Autopilot modes include attitude retention and stability augmentation, as well as altitude and heading hold and “advanced software out loops” such as hover and departure modes and stabilized climb flight attitude recovery.
“Tailoring the most advanced technologies to offer safety and trust to our clients is at the very heart of Thales’ DNA,” said Tristan Grivel, v-p business development and sales for Thales’ flight avionics business. “Combining Thales’ advanced capabilities with StandardAero's extensive knowledge allows us to draw upon a wealth of industry experience and deliver the autopilot solution that pilots have long aspired to.”

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

FAA OKs Thales StableLight Autopilot in Airbus AS350/H125 Helicopters

EASA and Transport Canada approvals to follow

The Thales StableLight 4-axis autopilot has received FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) approval for the Airbus Helicopters AS350/H125.

FAA Grants Approval for Thales AStar 4-axis Autopilot

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Neelam Mathews

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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.

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.

Nepal’s army and private operators have deployed rotorcraft across the flood zone

Helicopters Play Crucial Role in Himalayan Flood Rescues

Charlotte Bailey

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.

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

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.

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations 

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany 

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

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.

In this article

AS350/H125

StandardAero

Thales Avionics

Airbus Helicopters

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Helicopters Play Crucial Role in Himalayan Flood Rescues

Nepal’s army and private operators have deployed rotorcraft across the flood zone

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations

FAA Approves TSO for ASU Panoramic Night-vision Goggles

Lightweight white-phosphor NVG have a 94-degree field of view

FAA Floats Special Conditions for Skyryse Fly-by-wire R66

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Vertical Lift Groups Extend Trade Show Partnership

European Helicopter Association and Vertical Aviation International extended their alliance

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Armed forces will be able to outfit Black Hawks with new armament and equipment.

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