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

The FAA recently implemented a policy that expands the kinds of harnesses that can be used when utility line workers perform human external cargo (HEC) activities. According to Vertical Aviation International (VAI), this now covers “U.S. government-accepted harnesses that meet standards recognized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) and accepted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).”
VAI explained that the <a href="https://verticalavi.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/signed_PS-AIR-27_29.865.pdf">new policy</a>, updated on September 8, “permits helicopter operators to use ANSI/ASSP Z359.11-compliant full-body harnesses for Class B human external cargo under…[FAR] Part 133. It permits operators to use these harnesses as an alternative to TSO-C167-approved harnesses when they are listed in the operator’s Rotorcraft-Load Combination Flight Manual (RLCFM).”
Operators will need to update their RLCFM to reflect use of these harnesses and include inspection, care, retirement, and life-limit procedures, and make sure crew training and preflight checks match the new RLCFM language.
“VAI has pushed for this flexibility since 2017,” said Chris Martino, VAI’s senior director of operations and international affairs. “It improves safety, reduces friction for operators, and supports the skilled teams who keep critical infrastructure running.”

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

FAA Policy Allows for OSHA-approved Human External Cargo Harnesses

Allows use of restraints as an alternative to TSO-C167–approved harnesses

The new policy “permits helicopter operators to use ANSI/ASSP Z359.11-compliant full-body harnesses for Class B human external cargo under…[FAR] Part 133.”

FAA Policy Allows for OSHA-approved HEC Harnesses

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Chad Trautvetter

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.

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.

Panelists at NBAA Miami regional forum say Florida is at the forefront of eVTOL air taxis

Florida’s Flight Plan: Be First in AAM Ops

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Global operator integrating software to facilitate safety management system

Bristow Taps Centrik 5 for Safety, Risk, Compliance

Third country to certify the multirole rotorcraft

Airbus Helicopters H175 Gets Transport Canada Nod

Hanneke Weitering

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Six-ton civil tiltrotor program targets year-end CAAC approval

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Charles Alcock

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.

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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