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

Helicopter operators in Japan can now replace main-ship batteries with True Blue Power lithium-ion batteries under Airwolf Aerospace supplemental type certificates (STCs) recently approved by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB). The STCs cover the TB17 and TB20 batteries and add Japan to the list of regulators that have approved installation in a variety of helicopters, including the FAA, EASA, Brazil’s ANAC, Transport Canada, and UK CAA.
Helicopters covered by the JCAB STCs include the Airbus Helicopters H125/AS350, AS355, EC120, and H130/EC130; Bell 206A/B and 206L/L1/L3/L4; Enstrom 480B; Hiller UH-12E; and MD Helicopters MD 369/500.
True Blue Power lithium-ion batteries are FAA TSO-approved and, depending on the model and the type of battery replaced, are up to 63% lighter. Weighing 16 pounds, the 17-amp-hour TB17 is 45% lighter than lead-acid or nicad alternatives, according to True Blue Power. The 20-amp-hour TB20 weighs 19.5 pounds. Built-in heaters automatically warm the batteries, eliminating the need to carry batteries into warm buildings while the aircraft is parked in cold weather.
The batteries also help with faster and cooler turbine engine starting and recharge within minutes after engine start. The TB17 has a two-year maintenance cycle while the TB20 is maintained on-condition, and both have a service life of eight years.

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.

Airwolf Adds Japan STCs for Helicopter Lithium-ion Battery Installations

Covers a variety of popular rotorcraft models from Airbus, Bell, Enstrom, and MD

True Blue Power lithium-ion batteries are FAA TSO-approved and, depending on the model and the type of battery replaced, are up to 63% lighter. 

Airwolf Adds Japan STCs for Lithium-ion Batteries

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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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.

Acquisition of Alaskan-based service center augments turboprop specialist’s expertise

Silver Sky Aviation Becomes Blackhawk’s Sixth Location

Curt Epstein

Former aircraft operator turns fully to MRO services

MRO Profile: Desert Jet Maintenance

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.

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.

MRO provider serves general aviation, commercial aviation, and defense customers

AAR and Collins Extend Deicing Distribution Agreement

EASA and FAA approval also adds non-destructive testing capabilities

ExecuJet Malaysia Adds Falcon 7X to Mx Capabilities

In-house academy is helping relieve the shortage of aircraft maintenance technicians

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Modification package available for classic and APMG owners

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News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

In this article

Airwolf Aerospace

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Silver Sky Aviation Becomes Blackhawk’s Sixth Location

Acquisition of Alaskan-based service center augments turboprop specialist’s expertise

MRO Profile: Desert Jet Maintenance

Former aircraft operator turns fully to MRO services

AAR and Collins Extend Deicing Distribution Agreement

MRO provider serves general aviation, commercial aviation, and defense customers

ExecuJet Malaysia Adds Falcon 7X to Mx Capabilities

EASA and FAA approval also adds non-destructive testing capabilities

Twenty-five West Star Graduates Qualify for A&P Tests

In-house academy is helping relieve the shortage of aircraft maintenance technicians

Honda Adds Upgrades to Latest HondaJet Configuration

Modification package available for classic and APMG owners

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Engineers have worked on Dassault, Gulfstream, and Bombardier aircraft

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