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

Los Angeles County, which relies on helicopters for wildfire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical services, has placed an order for two more Sikorsky S-70i Firehawks. The county fire department’s Firehawk fleet has been flying since the early 2000s, and six other California fire agencies also operate the helicopter type.
Based on Sikorsky’s Black Hawk, the Firehawk is able to carry a 1,000-gallon water tank that can be refilled in less than a minute via a retractable snorkel. The helicopter’s twin GE T700-701D engines enable rapid travel to scenes, at up to 155 knots. The Firehawk is also equipped with night-vision-goggle-compatible lighting.
“The Firehawk helicopter has been the cornerstone of our aerial firefighting capability for more than two decades,” said county of Los Angeles fire chief Anthony Marrone. “Adding two more proven platforms enhances our ability to respond to all types of emergency situations across the county and contain wildfires before they get out of control, even under the most challenging conditions.”

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

LA County Orders Two Sikorsky S-70i Firehawks for Fire Department

Helicopters are ideal for wildfire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical services

Based on Sikorsky’s Black Hawk model, the Firehawk can carry a 1,000-gallon water tank that refills in less than a minute, thanks to its retractable snorkel. 

LA County Orders Two Sikorsky S-70i Firehawks

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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 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.

Broadband connectivity enabled by patented bonded architecture

Outerlink Air IP Comms System Now Available on Bell 407

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

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.

Helicopter Institute is running a U.S. Navy Contractor Operated Pilot Training program

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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.

Delivery of the first modified helicopter is due in early 2026

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Jessica Reed

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.

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.

Q3 revenues climbed 10% year over year, driven by accelerating work on the MV-75 program

Bell’s Commercial Helicopter Deliveries Slide in Q3 

Neelam Mathews

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.

Indian H125 final assembly line expected by March 2026

Mahindra Joins Rotor Chain as Tata-Airbus Readies H125 FAL

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

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News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

In this article

Sikorsky S-70 Series

Sikorsky Aircraft

More In Rotorcraft

Outerlink Air IP Comms System Now Available on Bell 407

Broadband connectivity enabled by patented bonded architecture

TH-66 Tapped for U.S. Navy Contractor Pilot Training

Helicopter Institute is running a U.S. Navy Contractor Operated Pilot Training program

Metro Aviation First with EMS STC for Airbus H160

Delivery of the first modified helicopter is due in early 2026

Bell’s Commercial Helicopter Deliveries Slide in Q3

Q3 revenues climbed 10% year over year, driven by accelerating work on the MV-75 program

Mahindra Joins Rotor Chain as Tata-Airbus Readies H125 FAL

Indian H125 final assembly line expected by March 2026

Heli Austria Picks Thales/StandardAero StableLight Autopilot

Four-axis system will help pilots reduce risk in critical phases of flight

Sikorsky Unveils Nomad Family of Autonomous Drones

Hybrid-electric VTOL cargo drones designed to scale for multiple missions

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