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

Textron’s Pipistrel introduced the Voyager training airplane today at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. The two-seat Voyager—base price €240,000 ($274,000)—is designed to meet the FAA’s MOSAIC performance-based certification regulations.
Resembling the Pipistrel Alpha trainer, a light-sport-aircraft design that is limited to a 1,320-pound mtow and 120-knot top speed, the all-composite Voyager will have an mtow of 1,389 pounds and a useful load of 552 pounds. Powered by a 100-hp Rotax 912 ULS piston engine, the Voyager can fly 740 nm with IFR reserves and can be used for instrument training, including in instrument meteorological conditions. Pipistrel will obtain spin certification so flight instructor candidates can obtain the required spin training.
Like other Pipistrel models, the Voyager is equipped with a ballistic parachute. Avionics are Garmin’s new Axis touchscreen display system with a three-axis GFC 500 autopilot featuring a level button and electronic stability and protection, a GI 275 backup instrument, and a haptic stall-warning system. The Voyager has two wing fuel tanks, instead of the single fuselage fuel tank in the Alpha, and thus is equipped with a fuel selector to switch between tanks. Moving the fuel to the wings also allowed Pipistrel to add a baggage compartment with an external access door.
Epic Flight Academy is the launch customer for the Voyager and has placed orders for up to 50 of them. Once deliveries begin, the company plans to deploy Voyagers at each of its 12 locations.
“MOSAIC represents a fundamental shift in how aircraft are developed and brought to market, and the Voyager is leading the way in both these innovations and in access,” said Textron Aviation senior v-p of engineering Chris Hearne. “It enables more capable aircraft, faster introduction of new technology, and greater flexibility in how aircraft are used across training and operations. Because these standards are performance-based and grounded in proven safety data, they allow innovation to move at a pace that better reflects today’s technology while maintaining the high bar the industry expects.”

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.

Pipistrel's New Voyager To Train Next Generation of Pilots

Trainer will meet MOSAIC certification regulations

Powered by a 100-hp Rotax 912 ULS piston engine, the Pipistrel Voyager can fly 740 nm with IFR reserves and can be used for instrument training, including in instrument meteorological conditions.

Pipistrel Voyager To Train Next Generation of Pilots

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Hanneke Weitering

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

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.

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.

EAA AirVenture 2026

More In Aircraft

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

Jetcraft Bullish on Preowned Business Aircraft Market

Broker says new aircraft production rates and tax changes are key drivers

SyberJet SJ30-2 Sets Unofficial Transcontinental Record

Aircraft flew Jacksonville to San Diego nonstop

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN