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

Oregon-based Hillsboro Heli Academy has gained examining authority from the FAA, allowing the flight training provider to evaluate and certify its students’ proficiency. This eliminates the need to schedule students with an independent designated pilot examiner and makes the training process more efficient. According to the Flight Schools Association of North America, only 29 of the 521 FAA-certificated pilot schools are approved to hold examining authority for at least one of their courses.
Hillsboro Heli Academy, a division of Hillsboro Aero Academy, is an FAA-approved Part 141 flight school and offers training from private pilot through flight instructor. The school operates a fleet of Robinson R22 and R44 helicopters, as well as helicopter simulators, at its base in Troutdale, Oregon.
“We are thrilled to have earned examining authority from the FAA,” said general manager Jared Friend. “This achievement reflects our unwavering dedication to providing top-tier flight training and our commitment to excellence in helicopter training.”

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

FAA Designates Hillsboro Heli Academy as Pilot Examining Authority

Designation streamlines the pilot training process

Hillsboro Heli Academy has gained examining authority from the FAA, allowing the flight training provider to evaluate and certify its students’ proficiency. 

FAA Designates Hillsboro Heli Academy as Examining Authority

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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.

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.

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

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

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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.

Heli-Expo 2024

In this article

Robinson R22 Series

Robinson R44 Series

Hillsboro Heli Academy

Robinson Helicopter Company

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

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

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