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

The Icon A5 light-sport amphibious airplane promises adventure, and that is indeed what this unique light-sport airplane (LSA) delivers. AIN was invited to experience full immersion in the A5 world, and I recently spent four days at Icon Aircraft’s headquarters in Vacaville, Calif., learning how to fly the A5 and earning &nbsp;a single-engine sea sport endorsement.


For Icon Aircraft, which markets the A5 as the ultimate fun device for the adventure sports fanatic, a significant challenge is balancing that sporty attitude with helping buyers, especially those new to flying, develop a strong dedication to safety while still having fun. The company does this through Icon Flight Centers (IFCs, two of them so far, in Vacaville and Tampa, Fla., with a third slated to open in Texas this year, likely in the Dallas/Fort Worth area). The IFCs train new Icon pilots and those who are adding a seaplane endorsement to their tickets, and they offer multiple ways to experience the A5, from a demo flight to ab initio LSA training for new pilots and LSA seaplane transition courses for existing floatplane pilots or pilots with no water experience. Having never flown a floatplane or amphibian, I went through the course for those with no water experience.

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.

Training in the Icon A5 Amphibious LSA

Does the pilot training program match Icon Aircraft’s ambitious goals? AIN’s Matt Thurber travels to Vacaville to find the answer.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Curt Epstein

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.

Only the piston aircraft segment posted a decline

GAMA: Bizjets, T-props, and Rotorcraft Deliveries Up

Hanneke Weitering

Two captains held the prototype 33 feet above the water for 30 seconds

Regent Flies Electric Seaglider with Crew for First Time

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 on safety procedures and concerns.

Icing approval would open year-round service to northern communities

Horizon Begins Icing Tests for Cavorite X7 eVTOL

Kerry Lynch

Deal to close this year

Bombardier To Grow Manufacturing Capacity with MHICA Buy

David Donald

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.

The two NATO allies will purchase seven of the tanker/transport aircraft

Spain and Poland Agree to Buy A330MRTT Tanker Transports

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

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.

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.

GE Aerospace has tested the GE9X, Leap 1A, Leap 1B, and more with the 747.

GE Aerospace Flies Boeing 747 To Test New Engine Tech

Charles Alcock

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

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

More In Aircraft

GAMA: Bizjets, T-props, and Rotorcraft Deliveries Up

Only the piston aircraft segment posted a decline

Regent Flies Electric Seaglider with Crew for First Time

Two captains held the prototype 33 feet above the water for 30 seconds

Horizon Begins Icing Tests for Cavorite X7 eVTOL

Icing approval would open year-round service to northern communities

Bombardier To Grow Manufacturing Capacity with MHICA Buy

Deal to close this year

Spain and Poland Agree to Buy A330MRTT Tanker Transports

The two NATO allies will purchase seven of the tanker/transport aircraft

GE Aerospace Flies Boeing 747 To Test New Engine Tech

GE Aerospace has tested the GE9X, Leap 1A, Leap 1B, and more with the 747.

Helsinki Evaluates Hybrid-electric Flight Connections

City officials and a local university are working with manufacturer Electra

Zuri Prepares to Fly Hybrid-electric Cargo Drone

Platform offers 100 kilogram payload and 300 nm range

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