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

Airwolf Aerospace has received approval from Brazil’s ANAC for the installation of True Blue Power's TB20 lithium-ion battery in Airbus AS350/H125 and AS355 helicopters.&nbsp;
The company also holds STCs for TB17 installations in the Airbus EC120 and EC130/H130, Bell 206A/B and 206L through L4, Enstrom 480B, MD 369/500, and Hiller UH-12E, with approvals from the FAA, EASA, Transport Canada, and ANAC. The TB20 battery is also approved by the FAA and Transport Canada in the AS350/H125 and AS355.
The TSO-certified True Blue Power batteries are up to 63% lighter than comparable lead-acid or nicad batteries, adding more useful load to the helicopter. Engine starts are also much faster and cooler with the higher voltage from the lithium-ion batteries, which take just four to 10 minutes to replenish after start.&nbsp;
Maintenance of the True Blue Power TB17 is required only every two years and is on-condition for the TB20, with average battery life of eight years. During cold weather, the battery’s automatic built-in heater warms up the battery before engine start.&nbsp;
Airwolf is also developing additional STCs for helicopters and airplanes.

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In this article

Airwolf Aerospace

True Blue Power

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