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

During the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Sweet Helicopters once again offered short-hop charter flights to move people to and from the brickyard to avoid traffic jams. The flights numbered 500 this year, up from 450 last year.&nbsp;Sweet Helicopters is the official helicopter service provider for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“After watching the high-speed, adrenaline-pumping action of the big race, it can be frustrating for fans to then find themselves stuck behind the wheel of their own vehicle sandwiched into bumper-to-bumper traffic,” said director of business development Bob Bailey. “Sweet Helicopters charter flights help erase those headaches.”
In addition to flying Indy racecar fans, Sweet Helicopters helped driver Kyle Larson make a quick getaway from outside the Speedway to jump on his jet for a flight to North Carolina to drive in the Coca-Cola 600 Nascar race, thus achieving the “Memorial Day weekend double.”
“We’re always looking for ways to make charter flights more convenient and more accessible for both race fans and race team executives,” said Sweet Helicopters v-p of aviation Tim Edmonds. “That hard work and professionalism was on full display on Sunday, as safety always remained paramount.”

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

Sweet Helicopters Keeps Indianapolis 500 Race Fans Moving

Traffic jams make it worthwhile for people to fly on short helicopter charter flights

The flights, which numbered 500 this year, are an example of how rotorcraft are ideal for fast, short flights. Last year, Sweet Helicopters flew 450 customers.

Sweet Helicopters Keeps Indianapolis 500 Fans Moving

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.

Facility will serve regional customers and improve the OEM’s efficiency

Airbus Helicopters Opens Niagara Distribution Center

Brazil’s energy market is a strong driver of rotorcraft activity in LATAM

Rotortrade Sees Growth in Latin American Helo Market

Hanneke Weitering

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.

Contender to replace the branch's Airbus UH-72 Lakota trainers

Robinson Reveals R66 for Army Helicopter Training

Charles Alcock

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Universal Vulkaan Aviation has now ordered seven VIP helicopters

Leonardo’s Indian Distributor UVA Orders Two AW169s

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.

Fireflighting mission is ideal for large rotorcraft nearing the end of their useful lives.

Sikorsky S-92 Helicopters Get a Second Life as Firefighters

Kerry Lynch

Sloane is coming up on its 109th sale of the AW109.

Leonardo, Sloane Mark 30-year Partnership with AW109 Order

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

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.

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