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

Bell Textron has signed a purchase agreement with Global Medical Response (GMR) for seven Bell 429s and options for eight more of the light twin helicopters. GMR also recently took delivery of its first IFR-configured 407GXi, the first of an order for 24.
Based in Lewisville, Texas, GMR is the world’s largest Bell operator of emergency medical services helicopters, with 381 bases worldwide operating a fleet of Bell 407s and 206Ls.
“Adding the Bell 429 to our fleet will allow us to expand access to care to patients who need it,” said Daniel Sweeza, national president of air operations for GMR. “It also allows us to meet the requests of our healthcare partners, who have been asking for the flexibility the Bell 429 provides. We’re excited to add this airframe to our GMR communities starting in the spring of 2026.”
The Bell 429 features rear clamshell doors and a litter-height deck for ease of patient loading, maximum cruise speed of 155 knots, and 372-nm range. Avionics include Astronautics multifunction displays and Garmin GTN 750/650 com navigators, as well as a 3- or optional 4-axis autopilot.

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The twin-engine Bell 429 features rear clamshell doors and a litter-height deck for ease of patient loading, maximum cruise speed of 155 knots, and 372-nm range. 

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