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

All Bell civil helicopters are now approved to use GE Aerospace’s Rotor Analysis Diagnostic System-Next Generation (RADS-NG) for rotor track and balance and diagnostics. RADS-NG, which replaces GE’s RADS-Advanced Technology and Aviation Vibration Analyzer systems, is the company’s latest portable rotor track and balance solution. More than 5,000 RADS-AT units have been delivered and it is standard equipment for the U.S. Army and Navy.
The first RADS-NG delivery was in 2024 to Germiston, South Africa-based Henley Air, and since then, GE has delivered these systems to Bell for flight test and pre-delivery checks. Bell and other customers helped refine the next-generation system, which also has a flexible configuration to be used for other rotorcraft types such as tiltrotors, coaxial rotor helicopters, and eVTOL aircraft.
“Enabling the use of RADS-NG will differentiate the Bell fleet of helicopters as a leader in cutting-edge vibration analysis,” said Bell director of customer solutions Van Wilson. “The distinct advantage of performing regular, proactive vibration measurements and monitoring this data with GE Aerospace’s latest technological advancements will provide a real-time benefit in enhancing component life and passenger comfort.”
“One of our first operators reported a 10% torque savings after using RADS-NG,” said Matt Burns, general manager of avionics at GE Aerospace.

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

Bell Approves GE Aerospace Rotor Analysis Diagnostic System

Track and balance and diagnostics system can be used on new-technology rotorcraft

The first RADS-NG rotor track and balance and diagnostic system delivery was in 2024, and since then, GE has delivered systems to Bell for flight tests and pre-delivery checks.

Bell Approves GE Rotor Analysis Diagnostic System

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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.

The R88 can seat 10 and carry up to 1,800 pounds of payload.

Robinson's New R88 Model Supersizes its Helicopter Family

Geared towards emergency medical services, it offers more interior space and performance.

Airbus Expands its Twin-Engine Helicopter Family With the New H140 Model

AmyWilder

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

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.

Newly unveiled H140 generated interest among emergency medical operators

Airbus Logs Commitments for 118 Helicopters at Verticon

Hanneke Weitering

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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

Annual awards honor outstanding achievements in the helicopter industry

VAI Presents 2025 Salute to Excellence Award Winners

Battery technology remains insufficient for electric program progress

Airbus Orders Climb, CityAirbus eVTOL Program Pausing

Curt Epstein

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

In this article

GE Aerospace

Bell

More In Rotorcraft

Robinson's New R88 Model Supersizes its Helicopter Family

The R88 can seat 10 and carry up to 1,800 pounds of payload.

Airbus Expands its Twin-Engine Helicopter Family With the New H140 Model

Geared towards emergency medical services, it offers more interior space and performance.

Airbus Logs Commitments for 118 Helicopters at Verticon

Newly unveiled H140 generated interest among emergency medical operators

VAI Presents 2025 Salute to Excellence Award Winners

Annual awards honor outstanding achievements in the helicopter industry

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The developing advanced air mobility sector has seen consolidation of late.

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Company has also launched a new rotorcraft leasing arm

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Dozen helicopters ordered by customers in Egypt, Alaska, and the UK

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