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

Under a contract signed with European oil and gas operator Equinor, leasing company Milestone Aviation Group will purchase and lease back five new Leonardo AW189 super-medium helicopters. The first two deliveries will take place in 2025 followed by three in 2026.
Equinor will supplement its Sikorsky S-92 fleet with the AW189s as well as 10 Bell 525s that are scheduled for delivery starting in 2026. Lufttransport will operate the AW189s on passenger transport flights from Sola and Florø to the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS). This agreement with Lufttransport is for seven years with options for an additional six years and it is valued (with options) at about NOK 7 billion ($4.34 billion). According to Equinor, the Milestone agreement is for “just over” NOK 2 billion, “for a contract duration of up to 20 years.”
“The safety of our employees who travel by helicopter is our utmost priority,” said Ørjan Kvelvane, Equinor senior v-p of operation and maintenance in exploration and production Norway. “New helicopters will make helicopter traffic more robust. Safe, predictable, and efficient transportation is crucial to safely maintain a high activity level on the NCS for many years to come.”

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

Equinor Awards Leonardo AW189 Contract to Milestone Aviation

Deliveries begin in 2025 and will be completed in 2026

Equinor will supplement its Sikorsky S-92 fleet with the AW189s as well as 10 Bell 525s that are scheduled for delivery starting in 2026. 

Equinor Awards AW189 Contract to Milestone Aviation

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Neelam Mathews

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.

Indian H125 final assembly line expected by March 2026

Mahindra Joins Rotor Chain as Tata-Airbus Readies H125 FAL

Hanneke Weitering

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

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.

Hybrid-electric VTOL cargo drones designed to scale for multiple missions

Sikorsky Unveils Nomad Family of Autonomous Drones

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.

LifeFlight Australia and Linfox joint venture expects to fly the new fleet 1,500 hours a year

StarFlight To Add Three Airbus H145s to Medevac Fleet

Charles Alcock

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.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Emergency air services group joins calls for the UK to readopt EGNOS navigation

UK Air Ambulance Services Demand Operational Reforms

Allows use of restraints as an alternative to TSO-C167–approved harnesses

FAA Policy Allows for OSHA-approved HEC Harnesses

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

New device will be available for pilot training in the first half of 2027

Coptersafety Adding Second AW139 Full-flight Simulator

Adds four helicopters and operations in Denmark

Avincis Enters Wind Market with KN Helicopters Buy

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

In this article

Leonardo AW189

The Milestone Aviation Group Limited

More In Rotorcraft