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

Certain rotorcraft equipped with the Airbus Helicopters Helionix avionics suite can be upgraded with Astronautics Corporation of America’s AeroSync Max V2.1 wireless airborne communications system (wACS).
Astronautics and Airbus are collaborating on the upgrade, which is available for EASA-certified H145 and H145M helicopters. Plans call for wACS to be approved for the H160 by the end of this year and the H225 in 2027.
The V2.1 upgrade adds 4G in-flight connectivity for passengers and Ethernet/Wi-Fi gateway capability to support camera streaming to tablet devices for medical and mission-cabin device management and secure patient-data transmission. It also enables continuous cybersecurity updates and uploads of current Helionix databases.
“The AeroSync Max 2.1 upgrade builds on our proven architecture to deliver expanded data capabilities, in-flight connectivity functionality, and ongoing cybersecurity support, helping ensure these platforms are prepared for the next generation of connected operations,” said Matthew Frei, director of connected aircraft solutions at Astronautics.

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.

Wireless Communications System Slated for More Airbus Models

Device enables airborne connectivity via cellphone networks

Astronautics and Airbus are collaborating on the wACS V2.1 upgrade, which is available for EASA-certified H145 and H145M helicopters.

Wireless Communications Slated for More Airbus Models

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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.

SpaceX has doubled price of service for unlimited worldwide coverage

OpsGroup Details New Starlink Regional Service Maps

Charles Alcock

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

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.

Satcom specialist is participating in this week’s Aviation Africa Summit 

Gogo Responds to Growing Connectivity Demand in Africa

Flight-tracking service is available for display on passengers' devices

FlightPath3D and Gogo Extend Bizav Partnership

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.

Verticon 2026

In this article

Astronautics

More In Cabin Interior and Electronics

OpsGroup Details New Starlink Regional Service Maps

SpaceX has doubled price of service for unlimited worldwide coverage

Gogo Responds to Growing Connectivity Demand in Africa

Satcom specialist is participating in this week’s Aviation Africa Summit

FlightPath3D and Gogo Extend Bizav Partnership

Flight-tracking service is available for display on passengers' devices

Zeiss Microoptics Brings New Display Tech to Aircraft Cabin, Cockpit

The German company is taking a new approach to aerospace display technology.

Zeiss Debuts New Approach to Cockpit and Cabin Displays

ProSight technology is being demonstrated at the Farnborough Airshow

Pro Star Delivers G280 Gogo Galileo Satcom Installation

Expands company’s offerings for high-speed, global connectivity

Starlink Doubles Aviation Prices, Adds Region Boundaries

New service plans distinguish between a single area and global coverage

Jet Access Maintenance Earns Starlink Dealer Status

Services span three locations in Indianapolis, Nashville, and West Palm Beach

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN