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

A survey of voters in Santa Monica, California, revealed that a majority support the city’s airport (KSMO) and prefer to keep it open, rather than closing it on Dec. 31, 2028. The city of Santa Monica signed a consent decree with the FAA in 2017, allowing the city to close the airport.
The survey was conducted by FM3 Research and funded by Spirit of Santa Monica, a nonprofit organization “dedicated to preserving and enhancing the innovation spirit of Santa Monica while fostering future generations of thinkers, builders, and community leaders through education, events, and engagement.” FM3 Research conducted 632 interviews of registered voters via telephone calls and online.
According to the survey, “67% of Santa Monica voters support keeping the airport open in some form, compared with 25% who favor closing it as soon as possible, with 8% undecided. Support for keeping the airport open spans every neighborhood and demographic group in the city, including voters living within one mile of the airport.”
“The survey found that Santa Monica voters value the airport and support keeping it open in a way that preserves options for the city,” said Ben Marcus, co-founder and president of Spirit of Santa Monica. “As the city faces a once-in-a-generation decision about a 227-acre site, voters are signaling clearly that they do not want to rush toward irreversible decisions driven by a vocal minority to close the airport.”

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

Santa Monica Voters Show Support To Keep Iconic Airport Open 

Two-thirds of those surveyed want to keep KSMO,  and a majority do not want it turned it into a park

According to the survey, “67% of Santa Monica voters support keeping the airport open in some form, compared to 25% who favor closing it as soon as possible.”

Santa Monica Voters Show Support To Keep Airport Open

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

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

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.

Requirements apply to some but not all business aircraft flights

Doubts Raised over EU Border Control Rule Changes

Charlotte Bailey

European permissions augment FAA approvals received in 2023 and 2024 

Gulfstream G500, G600 Get EASA Steep-approach Nods

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

 Upcoming vertiport to include provision for future eVTOL aircraft 

Skyports and Linden Plan Heliport At Miami's Watson Island

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

Based aircraft have relocated to other Dutch airports

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Infrastructure development underway in the UAE, among other countries

Laying the Foundations for eVTOL Air Taxi Services 

Curt Epstein

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.

Measure is positioned as a means of airport self sufficiency

Mesa Ponders Adding Falcon Field Landing Fees

Gordon Gilbert

Customs is available at all three FBOs at Vancouver 

Bizav To See More Customs Flexibility at Vancouver

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

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