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

An individual who accessed the secure airside area at Southwest Oregon Regional Airport (KOTH) in North Bend was arrested after entering multiple aircraft inside a hangar. The incident took place on September 3, and 11 aircraft were affected.
Officers from North Bend Police and airport operations staff conducted a search of the airport and found North Bend resident Melvin Myhill inside one of the aircraft. Police arrested Myhill and charged him with 11 counts of criminal mischief in the first degree; two counts of unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle; two counts of burglary in the second degree; one count of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle; and one count of criminal trespass in the second degree.
According to the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport administration, “Following his arrest, Myhill was released from custody and transported to Bay Area Hospital for evaluation.” The administration has notified owners of the aircraft, who were “advised to conduct thorough checks and inspections before moving their aircraft.”
An investigation is ongoing and includes the North Bend Police Department, FAA, TSA, U.S. Coast Guard, and the Coos Aviation FBO. According to an airport spokeswoman, "The Southwest Oregon Regional Airport's security plan is on file with the TSA. It is reviewed and approved every year as part of our certification process. In the meantime, an internal review is also underway.&nbsp;Maintaining safety and security at the airport is of the highest priority."

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

Oregon Airport Breach of Secured Airside Results in Suspect’s Arrest

North Bend Police charged trespasser with 17 counts

Officers from North Bend Police and airport operations staff searched of the airport and found North Bend resident Melvin Myhill inside one of the aircraft. 

Oregon Airport Breach Results in Suspect’s Arrest

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

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

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

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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.

Airports in Warsaw, Lublin, and Rzeszów temporarily closed

Russian Drone Incursions Threaten Flights in Poland

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

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Level Equity growth capital group invests $54 million in security specialist

Fresh Funding Drives Osprey’s AI Use for Risk Management

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

Falcon 900’s flight crew used maps to land at Plovdiv 

Jet Carrying EC President Jammed on Flight to Bulgaria

Empire Aviation’s Global Express XRS landed at Stansted after a flight from Nice

RAF Fighters Intercept Business Jet En Route to London 

Curt Epstein

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.

The measure will go into effect early next year

Singapore To Institute Pre-arrival Security Clearance

Chad Trautvetter

Crews warned to avoid flying over Israel, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon

Dyami: Air Crews Should Steer Clear of Mideast Airspace

Jessica Reed

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.

“GNSS disruptions are evolving in terms of both frequency and complexity”

EASA and IATA Target 220% Spike in GPS Interference

Sarah Rose

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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