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

Maintenance and Modifications

GPMS Gains Additional Helicopter HUMS Distribution

Data from health and usage monitoring system helps helicopters fly safely
GPMS Foresight MX HUMS
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Nextant Gains Starlink Approval for Global 5000/5500

STC expands the number of aircraft types approved for the high-speed satcom system
Starlink electronically steered antenna
Maintenance and Modifications

PremierMRO Adds Collins Aerospace Avionics Dealership

A variety of avionics services come with the dealership designation
PremierMRO Dayton, Ohio
Cabin Interior and Electronics

PC-24 Approved for Spectrum Aeromed Ambulance Equipment

Large cargo door and roomy cabin make the airplane more suitable for medevac operations
Spectrum Aeromed air ambulance equipment in Pilatus PC-24 business jet
Aircraft

First Global 6500 Delivered for U.S. Army HADES Program

Endurance up to 18 hours makes the Bombardier jet an ideal ISR platform
Bombardier Global 6500 for U.S. Army HADES program
Avionics

Jeppesen and ForeFlight Sale Could Yield $8B For Boeing

A sale of peripheral assets could net up to $12 billion for the aerospace and defense group
ForeFlight Jeppesen
Rotorcraft

ACE Aero Modding Black Hawks with Skyryse Controls

The upgrade makes the helicopter much simpler to fly
Skyryse One modified helicopter
Rotorcraft

Sikorsky Lengthens S-92 Inspection Intervals

Move will help increase availability and lower direct operating costs
Sikorsky S-92 helicopters
Maintenance and Modifications

Saft Developing Li-ion Batteries for Biz Aircraft, Helos

Batteries offer significant weight savings and better performance
Saft lithium-ion battery
Maintenance and Modifications

DOT IG To Examine Consistency in FAA STC Process

Consistency and proper assessment of the need for STCs are targets
FAA STC Advisory Circular
Avionics

Aerodata Backup GPS Approved for Anti-spoofing/jamming

Vulnerability to bad actors is a critical aviation issue
Aerodata GPS anti-spoofing, anti-jamming
Rotorcraft

Northern Rescue Growing Fleet to Five AW169 Helicopters

Shipment to New Zealand will take place next year after paint and upgrades
Northern Rescue Helicopter Leonardo AW169
Rotorcraft

Fort Worth Police Buy Second Bell 505

Plans call for growing the department's public safety presence
Fort Worth Police Department Bell 505 helicopter
Cabin Interior and Electronics

West Star Developing Three Embraer Gogo Galileo STCs

Approval for these aircraft is expected in early 2025
Embraer Praetor 600 in flight
Aircraft

Transport Canada Certifies Cirrus SR G7 and Vision G2+

Similarities between the piston- and jet-powered Cirruses make transition training easier
Cirrus SR and Vision Jet airplanes flying in formation
Safety

Hypervigilance and the Right Influence

Tony Kern brings his A game to the annual safety event
Tony Kern Convergent Performance
Accidents

Bombardier Safety Standdown: Surviving the Fire

Preparation and training resulted in a survivable accident
Kevin Van Splunder Bombardier Safety Standdown
Safety

Bombardier Safety Standdown Promotes Safety Influencers

Wichita welcomed attendees to the 28th edition of the Safety Standdown
Franco Pietracupa-Bombardier
Safety

Will Boeing Add Jeppesen to Asset-sale Plans?

Speculation suggests that Boeing might sell aviation chart data provider Jeppesen for $6 billion
Jeppesen
Rotorcraft

Rotortrade Partners with Safran, Joins Mentor Program

Preowned helicopter specialist is expanding its capabilities
Rotortrade Philippe Lubrano and Safran Helicopter Engines Mathieu Albert
Avionics

Global Aviation STCs ClearVision EFVS in King Airs

Approval enables operators to add head-up display to King Air turboprops
King Air with Universal Avionics ClearVision Enhanced Flight Vision System
Rotorcraft

Bell Logs Sales for 505 and 407GXi Helicopters

Includes the sale of the 100th Bell 505 in Europe
100th Bell 505 in Europe
Charter & Fractional

FlyJets Taps Trip Requests To Offer Charter Discounts

'Phantom' empty legs can add up to savings for buyers and revenue for operators
Flyjets CEO Jessica Fisher
Airports

Aspen Residents Vote for County Control of Airport

Ballot measure would have ceded decisions on runway expansion to residents
Aspen Airport
Environment

San Carlos Flight Center Adopts Unleaded Swift 100R

High-octane unleaded avgas is becoming more available in California
Rabbit Aviation is delivering Swift Fuels' unleaded 100R to San Carlos Flight Center Cessna 172s
Rotorcraft

FAA Releases 2023 Helo Air Ambulance Ops Data Summary

Six accidents, two with fatalities, took place during calendar year 2023
Helicopter air ambulance operations 2023
Accidents

Five Killed in HondaJet Rejected Takeoff Crash at KFFZ

Aircraft caught fire and burned after hitting a vehicle
ADS-B Exchange data showing HondaJet rejected takeoff at Falcon Field
Aircraft

Game Composites Delivers 100th Aerobatic GameBird

Certified in 2019, the GB1 is an aerobatic airplane that is comfortable for flying longer distances
Game Composites employees celebrate 100th GameBird delivery
Aircraft

SkyAlyne Contract To Deliver Airbus H135 Helos to RCAF

Contract calls for 19 helicopters, with deliveries beginning in 2026
Royal Canadian Air Force Airbus H135 helicopter
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Gogo HDX Satcom Antenna Passes DO-160 Testing

System is on track for launch of service later this year
Gogo Galileo HDX satellite antenna testing