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

Training course developer King Schools is now offering a free course for pilots who want to learn to use a manual E6B flight computer and also unveiled a new course, "Maneuvers for the Private Pilot," last week at the Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo.
Company founders John and Martha King recently received the AOPA Richard G. McSpadden General Aviation Safety Award, named for the late AOPA Air Safety Foundation Air Safety Institute senior v-p and well-known safety expert. King Schools also announced that it awarded Jamie Klaes the Martha King scholarship for Female Flight Instructors and Eric Heigis won the King Schools NAFI scholarship.
In keeping with the Kings’ passion for flying, “King Schools over its 50-year history has always supported employees who are seeking to fulfill new flying goals,” according to the company. The latest example is King Schools CEO and co-owner Barry Knuttila, who recently earned his helicopter private pilot certificate. “The aviation journey just doesn’t end. There is always more to learn...and to teach.” Knuttila had always wanted to fly helicopters and has been flying airplanes since he was 18 and teaching pilots for more than 15 years.
“They say you are only a beginner once, but in aviation, you have the unique ability to start all over with a new category of aircraft. Flying a helicopter is great fun but also presented a unique learning curve and new challenges specific to transitioning from airplanes.&nbsp;I was able to once again experience the thrill of a first solo, first cross-country, and the amazing sense of accomplishment that growing in competency brings. It’s recharged me and given me new perspective that I believe will make me a better leader of King Schools and a better aviation instructor.”

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