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

The Garland/DFW Heliport in Garland, Texas, has added a second landing pad to accommodate more heliport operations and growth in the area. The facility is the state’s largest public-use heliport.
Opened in 1988, the heliport serves local law enforcement, air medical, and TV newsgathering operations. In addition to running the FBO since 1992, Sky Helicopters is a Robinson Helicopter dealer and service center, operates a flight school, and provides flight services including helicopter tours.
The new concrete pad measures 100-by-100 feet and is equipped with in-ground LED lighting, a lighted windsock, obstruction lighting, and perimeter fencing. Garland’s city council approved the development of the new pad in 2022, and construction started in 2024, with no federal or state funds used to pay for the improvements.
<img alt="LED lighting on new Garland/DFW Heliport landing pad" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="072da837-be94-4059-b6f4-8b2410c3f03a" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/H2.jpg" width="3898" height="2485" loading="lazy">
“Expanded heliport operations and continued growth around the heliport drove the need to add a second ingress/egress option, which promotes a safer 24-hour flying environment,” according to Sky Helicopters.

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

Garland/DFW Heliport Expands with New Landing Pad and LED Lighting

More helicopter operations and growth in the area prompted the expansion

The new concrete pad measures 100-by-100 feet and is equipped with in-ground LED lighting, a lighted windsock, obstruction lighting, and perimeter fencing.

Garland/DFW Heliport Expands with New Landing Pad

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

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

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 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.

Handlers, aircraft operators, and airports have three years to comply with new rules in Europe

Ground Handlers Must Comply with New EASA Regulations

Amy Wilder

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.

Expansion will include new parallel runway, hotel, and parking upgrades

Perth Airport Partners with Bechtel for Major Expansion  

Chad Trautvetter

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

City officials and FBOs pave the way to build infrastructure for eVTOL operations

Orlando Readies for Advanced Air Mobility Service in 2027

City-center eVTOL landing sites could be as small as one acre

FBO Chains Working To Build Vertiports for eVTOL Ops

eVTOL air service seen as a regional solution for Central Florida

Orlando Readies for Advanced Air Mobility Takeoff

News, issues, personnel, equipment and developments about air traffic management.

Parking times will be reduced and slot delays of at least an hour should be expected

Operators Warned over Summer Restrictions in Athens

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.

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