Matt Thurber
Editor-in-Chief

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&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.

Latest from Matt Thurber

Avionics

Garmin Expands Navigation Database To Include Africa

Adds 40 countries in Africa with airspace info, IFR procedures, frequencies, etc.
Garmin Africa navigation database
Maintenance and Modifications

Equivu Capital Buys Majority Stake in Leading Edge

Company specializes in business aviation interior and exterior detailing and appearance
Leading Edge Aviation Services
Accidents

NetJets Latitude Accident Marks First Frax Fatality

Diverted from planned flight to Austin and landed on road
ADS-B Exchange flight-tracking of NetJets Latitude
Aircraft

Metrojet Places First Global 8000 in Asia into Service

Ultra-long-range jet joins the Hong Kong company’s managed fleet
Metrojet Global 8000 business jet
Avionics

GFD Picks Universal Avionics for Learjet 35A/36A Upgrade

Modification replaces original instrumentation with glass cockpit displays
Universal Avionics and GFD agreement
Operations

Challenger 601 Lands on Nigeria Highway after Go-around

Airport’s runway is nearly 12,000 feet long versus the 7,000-foot road
Challenger 601 taking off from road in Nigeria
Operations

Hop-A-Jet Expanding Managed Fleet to New Types

First addition is a Cessna Citation X
Hop-A-Jet Cessna Citation X business jet
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Dassault Gets STC for Gogo Galileo on Falcon 7X/8X

HDX antenna provides download speeds up to 60 Mbps
Gogo Galileo approved on Falcon 7X/8X
Rotorcraft

Avincis Orders Up to 30 Airbus, Leonardo Helicopters

Deliveries will take place from 2028 through 2031
Avincis AW169 helicopter
Operations

Floating Fleet AI Expands To Serve Broader Market

Scheduling software helps companies reduce costs and improve efficiency
Floating Fleet AI software
Charter & Fractional

Sweet Helicopters Breaks Indy 500 Passenger Record

Race teams and fans took advantage of flights from four locations to turn two at the track
Sweet Helicopters flying passengers to the Indy 500 race
Maintenance and Modifications

AircraftIQ Connects Info for Keeping Accurate Track

Software created after founder’s airplane suffered an emergency landing
AircraftIQ tracking and management software
Safety

Jet Linx Pauses Operations for 10th Annual Safety Summit

Charter operator closes for one day each year to promote safety practices
Jamie Walker, executive chairman, Jet Linx
Maintenance and Modifications

Avcon Adds Two Special-mission STCs for Challengers

Fuselage rail system and radome approvals expand the company’s offerings
Challenger 600 jet with Avcon radome
Aircraft

Otto Establishes Phantom 3500 FAA Certification Basis

G-1 issue paper is complete and progress is being made toward first flight next year
Otto Aerospace Phantom 3500
Rotorcraft

Airbus H145 Joining Uncrewed Helicopter Arena

First flight is expected at the end of 2026 and entry into service in the early 2030s
Airbus Helicopters' U145 uncrewed, autonomous helicopter
Maintenance and Modifications

Bluetail Releases AI-powered Aircraft Records System

Features free up maintenance teams for more critical work
Bluetail aircraft records management system
Rotorcraft

Helicopter Express Picks TracPlus Mission Platform

System tracks and shares information with all appropriate parties
Helicopter Express S-64 Skycrane
Accidents

Successful Landing after Cirrus Vision Jet Engine Failure

Pilot elected not to use the parachute and glided to Athens Airport
Cabin Interior and Electronics

EASA Approves Skyservice Gogo Galileo for Challengers

STC opens market for satcom system in European markets
Gogo Galileo HDX satellite communications system
Safety

Aviation Insurer Develops Low-level Hazard Warning Tool

App’s heat map highlights risks in areas where helicopter might fly
Class A Insurance app shows risk areas
Aircraft

SyberJet Aircraft To Unveil SJ36 Mockup on October 19

Stretched version of the SJ30-2 will accommodate nine occupants
SyberJet SJ36
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

Flight Options Finally Wins IRS Management Fee Tax Case

Decision reverses opinion that would have resulted in a $39 million judgment
Aircraft

ANAC, EASA Validate Citation M2 Gen2 with Autothrottles

Opens opportunities for sales in Brazil and Europe
Cessna Citation M2 Gen2
Training and Workforce

Training with Icarus Device Inoculates against IIMC

Instructor controls the opacity to replicate flying in clouds
Flying helicopter with Icarus view-limiting device
Operations

Wingbits Launches AI-based Flight Data Agent Searches

Company’s network offers participants rewards for capturing ADS-B information
Wingbits flight tracking
Maintenance and Modifications

Eclipse Aero Says It Has about 3 Years of Parts in Stock

Company counters claim that components won’t be available
Article image
Maintenance and Modifications

Alpha Wingman Advisory Board Paves Roadmap for Future

Will help provide input on future products and improvements
Avionics

Garmin SmartCharts Now Available on Pilot Web

Procedures simplify view by decluttering unnecessary information
Garmin SmartCharts
Maintenance and Modifications

Heli-One Opens S-92 Customer Support Center in Brazil

Facility will offer MRO services and parts for South America operators
Heli-One's new Cabo Frio, Brazil center of excellence