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.

Matt Thurber

Latest from Matt Thurber

FBOs

Hiller Family Takes Ownership Stake in Hill Aircraft

Plans call for expansion of the Atlanta-Fulton County Executive Airport FBO
Marty Hiller and Guy Hill Jr celebrate Hiller's investment in Hill Aircraft
FBOs

Sea Prime Celebrates Bizav Traffic Growth in Europe

Traffic is up 38 percent compared to 2019
Sea Prime Milano Linate FBO
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

World Kinect Agrees To Sell Avinode to Camp Systems

The deal is for $200 million in cash and includes software that serves FBOs
Avinode
Avionics

Garmin Adds Display Options for StormOptix Radar 

Integrated flight decks will no longer be required for the GWX 8000
Garmin GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar displayed on GTN Xi
Charter & Fractional

Blade Predicts Turnaround after 2023 Losses

Company plans to continue its "asset-light" focus as it seeks to achieve profitability
Blade Air Mobility organ transport
Airports

Universal Integrates Feasibility-IQ with Portside’s PFM

The two companies have worked together previously on sharing information
Universal Weather and Aviation integration with Portside PFM
Rotorcraft

Skyco Leasing To Buy Six Airbus H175 Helicopters

The two companies will cooperate to develop service and support facilities
Airbus Helicopters H175
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Duncan Adds Starlink Satcom Dealership

Four of the company's facilities will offer Starlink installations
Duncan Aviation Starlink user
Safety

EASA Provides More Guidance on AI for Aviation

Agency wants to ensure human oversight of artificial intelligence development
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Clay Lacy Aviation Adds Starlink Satcom Dealership

Starlink terminal installation takes 15 to 25 days of downtime
Starlink business aviation satcom antenna installation
Avionics

Iridium Agrees To Buy GNSS Protector Satelles

The acquisition may help avionics providers prevent GNSS jamming and spoofing
Iridium satellite network
Aircraft

Piper M700 Gets FAA Nod

Deliveries of the airplane will begin immediately
Piper M700 Fury airplane
Security

GNSS Jamming and Spoofing Events Present a Growing Danger

Many reports of jamming and spoofing come from conflict zones
GNSS jamming
Accidents

NTSB Revises Probable Cause for Citation Accident

The revision is a rare case of a successful petition for reconsideration
Tamarack active winglet on Cessna CitationJet
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Iridium Adds Outerlink as Value-added Reseller

The VAR designation enables sales to government users
Iridium global coverage
Rotorcraft

First Aviation Adds AStar Rotor Blade Repairs

The expanded rotor blade repair services add new capabilities
Helicopter blades
Maintenance and Modifications

Leonardo, Comau Testing Automatic Blade Inspection System

Robotic testing mitigates problems associated with repetitive work
Comaux Leonardo robotic arm
Aircraft

Icon A5 Gross Weight Grows by 60 Pounds

The higher weight boosts payload and endurance
Icon A5 light sport aircraft
Rotorcraft

Ace, Mint Sign BEST Black Hawk Support Agreement

The partners will offer MRO services on T700 engines
Black Hawk helicopter
Avionics

Nova Picks FreeFlight ADS-B In for SAR Customers

The lightweight, dual-band receiver has a small footprint
Nova Skytrac
Rotorcraft

Guardian G6 Terminals Approved for Iridium Next

Lightweight satcom terminals offer bi-directional 88 Kbps transmission speed
Guardian Mobiiity G6-S airborne connectivity terminal
Training and Workforce

Ryan and Precision Demo VR Helimod Simulator

Available training scenarios will help helicopter pilots survive challenging situations
Ryan Aerospace simulator
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Skytrac, Videosoft Solve Streaming on Iridium Certus 

Low-bandwidth streaming will aid airborne surveillance
Videosoft Global and Skytrac video streaming
Rotorcraft

FlySight, Viewpoint Collaborate on Mission Computing Solution

Integration provides new solutions for helicopter operators
Viewpoint booth at Heli-Expo 2024
Rotorcraft

StandardAero, Airbus Celebrate 40 Years of Component MRO

Extensive in-house repair capabilities help keep costs low
StandardAero Richmond BC
Rotorcraft

FAA Designates Hillsboro Heli Academy as Examining Authority

Designation streamlines the pilot training process
Hillsboro Helicopter Academy
Rotorcraft

THC Orders Support Growing Saudi Mobility Needs

The massive order will support Saudi Arabia's vision for the future
THC AW139
Rotorcraft

Bell Logs Order for Four Parapublic 429s

Orders bolster the manufacturer's mission-focused fleet
Bell 429 at Heli-Expo 2024
Rotorcraft

Coptersafety Expands FAA Part 142 Helicopter Training

The training is approved by the FAA under Part 142 regulations
Coptersafety AW139 flight simulator
Avionics

Nova Systems Opts for Astronautics AeroSync Max

The device acts as a secure data gateway
Astronautics AeroSyncMission