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

MD Helicopters MD 500, 500D, 500E, 500ER, 520N, and 530F

Matt Thurber

The Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) has signed a five-year, $19 million support contract with MD Helicopters to support SANG’s 12 MD 530F flight training helicopters, which began service in 2013.&nbsp;Under the contract, which covers a base year and four optional years, MD Helicopters is supporting SANG with a field service representative and logistics technician based in Saudi Arabia, as well as more than $1 million worth of spare parts that will be delivered this month.
According to MD Helicopters, the SANG fleet “was previously maintained by an in-country contractor. The department requested OEM support to increase the maintenance quality and material support. MD will provide direct support for the aircraft, which will improve maintenance and parts acquisition while reducing costs and downtime.”
“The Saudi Arabian National Guard is a long-time MD customer, and it is our privilege to be their preferred partner for ensuring timely and cost-effective maintenance of the fleet,” said MD Helicopters president Ryan Weeks. “By working directly with MD, SANG will experience increased responsiveness, faster turn times, and higher quality work, which translates into time and money savings.”

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

Saudi National Guard Signs for MD Helicopters OEM Maintenance Support

In-country factory maintenance support will help improve efficiency and availability

MD Helicopters is supporting SANG with a field service representative and logistics technician based in Saudi Arabia and more than $1 million of spare parts.

Saudi National Guard Signs for MD 530F Helo Support

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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

Helicopters Play Crucial Role in Himalayan Flood Rescues

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Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

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In this article

MD 500 Series

MD 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

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