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

Bell Textron has unveiled its 429-based Aircraft Laboratory for Future Autonomy (ALFA) helicopter equipped with fly-by-wire flight controls and capable of autonomous flight. The modified 429 made its first flight last August at Bell’s Canada assembly and delivery center in Mirabel, Quebec, then it was moved to Bell’s flight research center in Fort Worth, Texas.
The ALFA 429 was developed by Bell’s advanced programs team, and its fly-by-wire flight controls are separate from the helicopter’s aircraft safety system. This allows “for rapid development and evaluation of novel flight control technology without compromising overall safety,” according to Bell.
“Fly-by-wire flight, coupled with additional capability that [is] being integrated into ALFA, provide a great foundation for Bell to expand on its autonomous capabilities,” said Jason Hurst, executive v-p of engineering. “This aircraft will serve as a flying lab that will inform future autonomous technology development, which we can ultimately leverage to deliver the best rotorcraft solutions to global operators.”
Bell’s military V-22 Osprey is equipped with fly-by-wire flight controls, as is the Bell 525 commercial helicopter that is due to receive FAA certification this year.

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

Bell Testing Aircraft Laboratory for Future Autonomy Helicopter 

The fly-by-wire Bell 429-based flying lab is capable of autonomous flight

The ALFA 429 was developed by Bell’s advanced programs team, and its fly-by-wire flight controls are separate from the helicopter’s aircraft safety system.

Bell Testing 429 Helicopter Autonomy Laboratory 

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

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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.

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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

Bell 429

Bell

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