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 Institute is adding the Robinson TH-66 Sage to its U.S. Navy Contractor Operated Pilot Training - Rotary program at Meacham Airport (KFTW) in Fort Worth, Texas.
Based on Robinson Helicopter’s R66 turbine-powered helicopter, the TH-66 Sage is equipped for military flight instruction and is already flying in the U.S. Army’s Part 141 Initial Entry Rotary Wing demonstration program in Marianna, Florida. Helicopter Institute is phasing out its fleet of legacy helicopters, including the Bell 206B3, and replacing them with the TH-66 Sage.
“As the only American-designed and manufactured helicopter in its class, the TH-66 Sage embodies American-made readiness,” said Robinson Helicopter president and CEO David Smith. “Our relationship with Helicopter Institute demonstrates our ability to better prepare our nation’s pilots by delivering a modern, cost-effective platform that maximizes critical training hours. With ready parts availability and support directly from our factory, we ensure exceptional operational efficiency, so our military students never spend one minute on the ground that is not necessary.”

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

Robinson TH-66 Sage Tapped for U.S. Navy Contractor Pilot Training Role

Helicopter Institute is running a U.S. Navy Contractor Operated Pilot Training program

Helicopter Institute is phasing out its fleet of legacy helicopters, including the Bell 206B3, and replacing them with the TH-66 Sage.

TH-66 Tapped for U.S. Navy Contractor Pilot Training

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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.

Helicopters are ideal for wildfire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical services

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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.

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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 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.

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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.

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

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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.

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.

In this article

Robinson R66

Robinson Helicopter Company

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LA County Orders Two Sikorsky S-70i Firehawks

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Delivery of the first modified helicopter is due in early 2026

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