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

In the ongoing United States v. Hansen Helicopters case, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Guam has entered into a global settlement agreement with defendants associated with Pacific Spotters Corporation (PSC).
According to the office, the defendants agreed to “termination of any relationships with named criminal defendants in United States v. Hansen Helicopter, Inc., et al., No. 18-CR-00010, and the companies named as alter egos in Civil Case No. 23-CV-00002.” The agreement included “disposition of aircraft and aircraft business operations…and…a provision of information/cooperation.”
The defendants include Cherry Anne Espion, director, corporate secretary, and treasurer of PSC; Oswald Espion, chairman of the board and president of PSC; and Antonio S. Padua and Robert Dodd Plew, directors of PSC.
“This agreement ensures these civil defendants are permanently enjoined from ever illegally operating or continuing the scheme for which Hansen Helicopters and John Walker were convicted,” the office said. “It follows additional plea agreements by other named criminal defendants.”
In September 2022,&nbsp;a Guam federal district court jury found Hansen Helicopters and its CEO, John D. Walker, <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2022-09-09/hansen-helicopters-ceo-walker-guilty-all-counts">guilty on 110 counts</a> related to (among other things) conspiracy, defrauding the FAA and the NTSB, bribery, aircraft parts fraud, causing serious bodily injury and death, and falsification of aircraft registration. A sentencing hearing for Walker is set for May 5.

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

Settlement Reached in Hansen Helicopters Case with Pacific Spotters Defendants

Agreement enjoins civil defendants from illegal activities for which Hansen was convicted

In the ongoing United States v. Hansen Helicopters case, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Guam has entered into a global settlement agreement.

Settlement Reached in Hansen Helicopters Case

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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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.

Austrian operator signed an order during the Aero Friedrichshafen show in Germany

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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.

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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.

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

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News and information about crew, passenger, aircraft and airport security issues.

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