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

Finance, Taxes, Insurance

BAAFEx Show Rides Asia's Rising Business Aviation Tide

Business Aviation Asia Forum & Expo is taking over the mangle from where ABACE left off
Rotorcraft

Robinson Helicopters Support Firefighting Efforts

Light rotorcraft are helpful for moving officials around
Rotorcraft

New Rotorcraft: More of the Same with Some Surprises in Store

Manufacturers are looking at all sorts of technologies while serving existing markets
Airbus Racer
Safety

SWA 737 Goes Around after Midway Runway Incursion 

Incident took place after a Flexjet Challenger crossed the active runway while the airliner was landing
Southwest Airlines 737 going around due to runway incursion
Avionics

Atlantic Jet STCs AeroNav Upgrade for Citation Cockpits

SkyVue 1000 package adds new displays, FMS, and audio panel
SkyVue 1000 avionics upgrade
Maintenance and Modifications

Metro Aviation Picks Bluetail Mx Records System

Digitizing logbooks preserves critical aircraft information
Metro adopts Bluetail aircraft maintenance recordkeeping
Operations

Vellox Launch Consolidates Aviation Software Entities

Spidertracks, Air Maestro, Flight Vector, and Complete Flight are part of the new company
Helicopter
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Falcons will Fly with Honeywell JetWave X Satcom

Uncapped service is available and speeds will be up to 200 Mbps
Honeywell JetWave X satellite communications
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Yingling Aviation Adds Challenger 600 to Starlink Menu

Company’s first installation was on a Bombardier Global XRS
Starlink antenna on Bombardier Global XRS business jet
Safety

Aerox Expands O2 Services with Omnigas Acquisition

Deal adds MRO capabilities for oxygen and fire-suppression systems
Aerox oxygen systems
Maintenance and Modifications

TrustFlight Signs Heartland Aviation for MEL Manager

Software helps aircraft operators manage the minimum equipment list process
Heartland Aviation Bombardier Challenger 350
Avionics

Garmin Adds Engine Indicating for TPE331-10 Turbines

Upgrade changes round dials to larger arc-type gauges
Garmin Engine Indicating System
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

Honeywell Outlines Plan To Separate Aerospace, Automation

Company will become three publicly listed entities in the second half of 2026
Vimal Kapur Honeywell chairman and CEO
Avionics

Universal FMS GPS Rollover Date Coming Due May 31

Failure to upgrade could cause service interruptions
Universal Avionics flight management system for aircraft
Avionics

Fargo Jet Completes PC-12 Avionics Modernization

New Garmin avionics and a Finoff Aviation engine upgrade modernize the Swiss turboprop
Fargo Jet Pilatus PC-12 avionics and engine upgrade
Avionics

Mitigating the Effects of GNSS Jamming and Spoofing

Compromised navigation information is an ongoing problem
GPS spoofing
Rotorcraft

VAST Effort Explores Helicopter Safety Rating System

System would encourage operators to add equipment to prevent accidents
Airbus H160
Aircraft

Epic Aircraft Embarking on Second E1000 GX Demo Tour

Some 75 stops are planned and more will be added
Epic Aircraft E1000 GX
Maintenance and Modifications

Atlantic Jet Partners Buys Component MRO Specialist

Plans call for growing the services provided by the combined companies
Atlantic Jet Partners Sky Aircraft Maintenance
Aircraft

Honda Aircraft Inaugurates Echelon Jet Test Facility

Testing will inform further refinement of the next Honda business jet
Honda Aircraft Echelon integration test facility
Rotorcraft

Single-engine Helicopter Market Stable, Supply Climbs

Aero Asset’s annual report noted a four-year peak in supply in Q4 2024
Aero Asset retail single-engine helicopter sales activity
Aircraft

Airbus Pauses Plans to Bring NextGen eVTOL Aircraft to Market

Decision was announced as the European manufacturer announced strong growth in helicopter sales
CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL
Rotorcraft

Airbus Helicopter Deliveries, Orders Climb During 2024

Helicopter sales for 2024 climbed 10% over 2023, including 58 Super Pumas
Airbus H125 helicopter
Maintenance and Modifications

FAA Issues Part 145 Repair Station Approval to Jets MRO 

Certification covers a variety of Textron Aviation and Bombardier models
Jets MRO receives FAA Part 145 repair station approval
Rotorcraft

Fundamental Advisors Acquires Utility Operator HeloAir

Purchase marks company’s first investment in utility helicopter segment
HeloAir Bell 407 helicopter aerial filming
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Innovative Advantage Celebrates 20 Years of Innovation

Company's fiber-optic backbone and digital nodes keep aircraft cabins up to date
Innovative Advantage AVDS node
Aircraft

Volo Mission Becomes Robinson R66 Utility Distributor

Company will provide transition and cargo hook training
Volo Mission cargo hook training
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

ForeFlight Pricing Tool May Lead to Insurance Savings

Owners of popular aircraft may find opportunities to lower their premiums
ForeFlight Fair Price Tool for aircraft insurance
Maintenance and Modifications

Enstrom Helicopter Announces 2025 Mx Training Dates

Piston and turbine helicopter maintenance courses are open to mechanics and pilots
Enstrom Helicopter maintenance training
Accidents

Loss of Control Causes Caravan Flight Test Accident

In-flight breakup followed accelerated stall with full flaps
Caravan flight test accident