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

On display at Heli-Expo, Phenix Solutions’ Ultra 2XL heavy lift uncrewed aerial system (UAS) is targeting logistics, firefighting, agriculture, and defense applications where a helicopter might not be required.
The VTOL Ultra 2XL is powered by Rolls-Royce’s M300 turboshaft engine and features a coaxial rotor system, which eliminates the need for a tail rotor. Maximum takeoff weight is 3,000 pounds and it can fly up to 300 nm with a top speed of 150 knots. Customers can add an optional 125-gallon auxiliary fuel tank to boost range to more than 900 nm with 500 pounds of payload.
This week at Heli-Expo 2024, Phenix is demonstrating its Ground Control System for managing Phenix flight operations. Flight testing of the Ultra 2XL is planned immediately following Heli-Expo and will be done at Phenix’s range in McMinnville, Oregon.
“The Ultra 2XL is purpose-built to tackle the ‘dull, the dirty, and the dangerous’ missions that our defense and civil customers demand. With the Ultra 2XL, our customers now have an unmanned aircraft that can deliver on those promises.”
Alpine Aerotech is also showcasing its exhaust duct developed for the Ultra 2XL’s RR300 engine at Heli-Expo. “We are known as experts for exhaust manufacture and repair in the conventional helicopter industry, particularly on the Bell platforms,” said Alpine Aerotech manufacturing manager Taylor Wilson. “We understood Phenix’s project requirements and were able to deliver a cost-effective solution using our existing capabilities.”

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Phenix Heavy Lift Unmanned Aerial System Makes Heli-Expo Debut

The UAS is targeting logistics, firefighting, agriculture, and defense applications

“The Ultra 2XL is purpose-built to tackle the ‘dull, the dirty, and the dangerous’ missions that our defense and civil customers demand."

Phenix Heavy Lift UAS Makes Heli-Expo Debut

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Heli-Expo 2024

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