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

Airbus Helicopters BK117, EC145, and H145 series

Matt Thurber

Maintenance for Airbus H145 helicopters is now available at Gama Aviation’s base at Gloucestershire Airport (EGBJ) in Staverton, UK. Gama Aviation acquired the former Specialist Aviation Services facility in February 2024, and it also has helicopter maintenance facilities in Norwich and Glasgow and a mobile service team.
The new maintenance approvals add the H145 to the facility’s existing maintenance services for Leonardo AW139 and AW169 helicopters. Along with Part 145 maintenance, the Staverton base holds Part 21 J and G design and production approvals and hosts a component paint shop. Gama Aviation is building a larger paint shop to open in the fourth quarter. Plans call for adding maintenance support for Airbus EC/H135 helicopters in the first quarter of next year.
“The addition of the [H145] adds a new level of support to our existing air ambulance clients and opens a new maintenance location for aircraft based in the southwest, Wales, and Midlands corridor,” said Paul Kinch, managing director of MRO. “Glasgow will operate as the primary location for aircraft based in Scotland and the north of England. We will, of course, load balance between the two to manage capacity.”

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.

Gama Aviation’s Staverton Base Adds H145 Helicopter Maintenance Approval

Facility joins company’s maintenance operations in Norwich and Glasgow

The new maintenance approvals add the Airbus H145 to the facility’s existing maintenance services for Leonardo AW139 and AW169 helicopters. 

Gama Aviation’s Staverton Base Adds H145 Mx Approval

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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.

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 and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

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.

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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.

In this article

BK117/EC145/H145

Gama Aviation

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