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

Cabin Interior and Electronics

SmartSky Lite Approved for King Air B200 through 360

Approval adds thousands of airplanes to the STC approval list
King Air SmartSky connectivity system installation
Rotorcraft

Skyryse Bringing Single-control R66 to AirVenture

Flying the fly-by-wire helicopter is much simpler than with traditional controls
Skyryse EAA AirVenture booth image
Avionics

FAA SAFO Targets Incorrect uAvionix ADS-B Installations

Pairing with a Mode S transponder is causing ADS-B problems
The uAvionix tailBeacon ADS-B transceiver replaces the tail position light
Maintenance and Modifications

Jets MRO Improves Service by Minimizing Tech Turnover

The Dallas-based maintenance shop has become a desirable workplace
Jets MRO Dallas
Airports

First Situational Awareness Systems Delivered in U.S.

The system captures ADS-B signals from aircraft and ground vehicles
uAvionix’s airport situational awareness system
Rotorcraft

Hawaii AC Set To Further Constrain Air Tour Operations

Operators doubtful that new requirements will improve safety
man and woman in helicopter
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Airborne Communications Are Coming Down to Earth

More options may eventually lead to lower prices
airborne connectivity satellite
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Gogo Over-the-air Updates Exceed the 1,000 Mark

Remote updates can reduce upgrade times for the satellite communications system
Gogo Avance L5
Rotorcraft

Leonardo Appoints Tokyo Distributor for AW09 Helo

Aero Facility will be responsible for AW09 commercial applications in Japan
Aero Facility Japan
Training and Workforce

RateMyCRM Puts Pilots in the Feedback Loop

The software's creator was surprised to learn his leadership skills needed work
RateMyCRM Feedback system for pilots
Training and Workforce

Dassault Pioneer Jean-François Georges Dies at 83

Georges was passionate about aviation, mountains, and music
Jean-François Georges Dassault Aviation
Rotorcraft

Explosive Helicopter Stunt Leads To YouTuber’s Arrest

Pilot who flew the helicopter for the filming had his license revoked by the FAA
Helicopter shooting fireworks at car
Accidents

Aspen Takeoff Overrun Followed Instantaneous Wind Call 

The NTSB final report was inconclusive about why the jet was unable to rotate
Aspen Hawker takeoff runway overrun accident
Rotorcraft

Airbus Delivers 1st ACH160 Helicopter in North America

Chartright Air Group will start flying charters in the ACH160 in the third quarter
Airbus ACH160 for Chartright Air Group
Rotorcraft

Hoper Launches Aegean Islands Helicopter Service

The move signals that there is a market for regional mobility that helicopters can serve
Hoper helicopter flights in Greece
Avionics

Garmin GI 275 Approved for MD Helicopters MD500/530

The approval expands installation options for Garmin's electronic flight instrument
Garmin GI 275 electronic flight instrument
Rotorcraft

Omni Helicopters Picks Two for Ab Initio Helo Training

The rigorous selection process involved nearly 20 candidates
Somant Heeralal and Yadram Ramcharran, Omni Helicopters
Rotorcraft

Loft VR Helo Simulator Approved for Sling Load Training

Pilots were able to safety handle real sling loads after the VR training
Loft Dynamics virtual reality helicopter sling load training
Maintenance and Modifications

MD Helicopters Adds Texas Authorized Service Center

MD is further expanding its service center network
Thoroughbred Aviation's Georgetown, Texas maintenance facility
Rotorcraft

Metro Delivers AStar Helo to Texas Game Wardens

Helicopter will fly law enforcement, search-and-rescue, and aerial firefighting missions
Texas Game Wardens Airbus Helicopters H125
Charter & Fractional

Corporate Eagle Now 100% Employee-owned

Transition to employee ownership took three years
Corporate Eagle
Environment

Bio-fiber Could Reduce CO2 in Composites Production

Feedstocks could include wood, food, or plant waste or atmospheric carbon dioxide
Airbus bio-fiber panel
Aircraft

Second Citation Ascend Test Article Takes Flight

The program is on track for entry into service in early 2025
Cessna Citation Ascend P1 business jet first flight
Accidents

Missing Bizjet Wreckage Found in Lake Champlain

Jet's location has been a mystery since it crashed in 1971
N400CP missing jet crashed in Lake Champlain
Rotorcraft

VAI Lauds End of West 30th St Heliport Closure Effort

The New York State bill would have closed a critical facility
West 30th Street heliport, NYC
Rotorcraft

German Federal Police Order 44 Airbus H225s

The helicopters will be flown in disaster-relief and firefighting missions
Airbus H225 for German federal police order
Charter & Fractional

NetJets Lawsuit Accuses Pilots' Union of Defamation

An ongoing dispute shows no signs of abating
Avionics

Honeywell Preparing FMS-guided Visual Approach for KHPN

The new approaches give pilots visual guidance at challenging airports
Sound visual approach Runway 34 at Westchester Country Airport
Maintenance and Modifications

MD Helicopters Signs First UK Service Center

Skytech Helicopters has been maintaining MD rotorcraft for more than 20 years
Skytech Helicopters maintenance hangar
Rotorcraft

VAI Opens Nominations for Salute to Excellence Awards

The awards recognize outstanding contributions by industry participants
Harold Summers the late VAI director of maintenance