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

Direct-to-customer insurance underwriter 5X5 Aviation Insurance is offering discounts under its Safety Rewards program for pilots who use PlaneWX’s preflight decision-support system. The discount is a 5% risk-based premium credit at quote and bind, available to PlaneWX Pro Plus members.
Launched in 2025, 5X5 Aviation Insurance uses flight data and recognition of regular training, membership in an owners and pilots association, frequent flying, &nbsp;hangaring, and maintenance to provide coverage for owner-pilots of high-performance light jets and turboprops and in-production piston singles and twins from Cirrus, Diamond, and Cessna.&nbsp;
TBM owner Mark Wolfgang founded PlaneWX last year to help pilots gather information ahead of a planned flight to inform its pilot decision support system. Capable of giving pilots a picture of upcoming conditions up to 14 days before a flight, PlaneWX provides a WX Score based on weather information, the pilot’s aircraft, and personal minimums. According to PlaneWX, this is fed into an integrated flight risk assessment tool built on the FAA’s PAVE framework and also gives the pilot access to a peer mentor network for help in making a go-/no-go decision.
“PlaneWX doesn’t tell you not to fly. It gives you the information to make that decision yourself, days earlier, when you still have options,” said Wolfgang. “5X5 is the first insurer I’ve seen that treats that kind of preparation as something worth underwriting.”

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

PlaneWX Subscribers Save with 5X5 Insurance Safety Rewards

Decision support system helps pilots assess risks up to 14 days ahead of planned flight

The 5X5 Aviation Insurance discount is a 5% risk-based premium credit at quote and bind, available to PlaneWX Pro Plus members.

PlaneWX Pilots Save with 5X5 Insurance Safety Rewards

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Amy Wilder

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.

Pre-tax earnings for service group climb 20.6%

NetJets, FlightSafety Revenue Rises in First-half 2026

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.

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

Financing supports Eco Caravan certification and hybrid-electric APU development

Ampaire Raises $19 Million for Hybrid-electric Airplanes

Kerry Lynch

Moody's assigned a Ba2 credit rating, up from Ba3, while maintaining a positive outlook

Moody's Upgrades Bombardier as Balance Sheet Improves

Component sales boosted Beta’s second-quarter revenue

Beta Is Turning Its eVTOL Competitors into Customers

Charles Alcock

UK group says it will complete Valo eVTOL’s critical design review this year 

Vertical Extends Cash Runway with Fresh eVTOL Funding 

Buyers urged to seek guidance, consider financing before finding an aircraft

IADA Panel: Financing Has Evolved Beyond a Buying Tool

Howard Hardee

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.

Boeing takes nearly 20% stake and a board seat in all-stock deal

Archer To Acquire Wisk, Insitu, and SkyGrid from Boeing

Curt Epstein

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.

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