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

Gulfstream designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and services business jet aircraft.

West Star Aviation specializes in airframe repair and maintenance, engine repair and maintenance, major modifications, avionics installation and repair, interior refurbishment, paint, parts, surplus avionics sales, window repair and accessory services.

At the recent Global Aerospace Summit in O’Fallon, Illinois, a panel session on military aircraft production and business aircraft completions and MRO services featured local leaders from Boeing, Gulfstream Aerospace, and West Star Aviation discussing investments in facilities, technology, and workforce development initiatives in the St. Louis region.
During the “Building and Sustaining the Fleet: OEM, MRO, and Defense Perspectives” session, moderated by Mary Lamie—executive v-p of multimodal enterprises for Bi-State Development, which operates St. Louis Downtown Airport (KCPS)—participants outlined their companies’ regional activities.
Chad Nicklaus, director of St. Louis site integration and manufacturing leader for Boeing’s St. Louis operations, highlighted the activities of the 18,000 Boeing employees in the region, including manufacturing of the F-15EX, F/A-18 Super Hornet, T-7A Red Hawk, MQ-25 Stingray, and ground-based flight-test simulators and weapons systems.
Boeing is investing $1.8 billion to expand F-15EX operations near St. Louis Lambert International Airport (KSTL) and increase production of the fighter from one to two aircraft per month.
At Scott AFB/MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (KBLV), Boeing has invested $200 million in a new MQ-25 aerial refueling drone manufacturing facility. “There’s a great future for the MQ-25 in that facility,” Nicklaus said. “We’re super excited to get that product to the fleet as soon as possible.”&nbsp;
Gulfstream has invested more than $30 million at KCPS in Cahokia, Illinois, and added more than 200 jobs to expand from MRO to completions of green jets. The facility’s capabilities include interior installations, paint, avionics, cabinetry, carpeting, and flight testing.
“It’s a booming aviation hub, with a very skilled workforce, and we’re continuing to partner with and invest in this community,” said Tony Ray, v-p and general manager of Gulfstream’s St. Louis completions center.
West Star Aviation at St. Louis Regional Airport (KALN) in East Alton, Illinois, employs more than 700 people providing full business aircraft MRO services as well as avionics repair and installation, paint, interior refurbishment, AOG mobile teams, and engine repair.
With 117 aircraft in the company’s 600,000 sq ft of facilities, West Star expected to deliver 40 to 43 aircraft by the end of August, according to director of Bombardier business development Brian Bauwens. West Star is exploring acquisitions to expand engineering and repair capabilities for specialized modification programs and pursuing additional foreign repair station approvals.
“We’re trying to bring more money into the region,” Bauwens said. “We currently have 11 outside or foreign authority certifications where we can work on those airplanes from outside of our states or outside the U.S.”

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.

Summit Highlights St. Louis Aerospace MRO and Manufacturing Activities

Panel participants included Boeing, Gulfstream Aerospace, and West Star Aviation

Boeing is investing $1.8 billion to expand F-15EX operations near St. Louis Lambert International Airport (KSTL) and increase production of the aircraft. 

Summit Highlights St. Louis Aero MRO and Manufacturing

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

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.

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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.

In this article

Gulfstream

West Star Aviation

Boeing

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