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.

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Matt Thurber

Eau Claire, Wisconsin-based charter operator Heartland Aviation has adopted TrustFlight’s minimum equipment list (MEL) Manager software to help manage the MEL process for its Bombardier Challenger 350 and Cessna Citation Sovereign.
According to TrustFlight, many aircraft operators rely on word processors such as Microsoft Word to edit and maintain their MEL documents. “However, Word often proves inadequate for the task, frequently crashing or corrupting files due to the size and formatting requirements of MELs. Such inefficiencies can lead to operational delays, regulatory risks, and frustration for maintenance and operations teams,” the company explained.
The MEL Manager software automates MEL processes to reduce the risk of manual-entry errors and ensure alignment with changes to regulatory MEL updates. TrustFlight maintains up-to-date MEL information to provide “seamless integration with operational and safety systems…ensuring that MELs remain accurate and actional across all departments.” Another advantage, according to TrustFlight, is that MEL Manager helps personnel across all departments collaborate via a centralized and user-friendly interface.
“Heartland Aviation has always prioritized the safety and reliability of its services,” said Cory Haupt, the company’s director of operations. “By partnering with TrustFlight, we’re adopting one of the industry’s most advanced tools to ensure our operations remain immune to compliance errors that may impact our flight operations.”

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

TrustFlight Signs Heartland Aviation for MEL Manager Software

Software helps aircraft operators manage the minimum equipment list process

TrustFlight's MEL Manager software automates MEL processes to reduce the risk of manual-entry errors and ensure alignment with changes to regulatory MEL updates. 

TrustFlight Signs Heartland Aviation for MEL Manager

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