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
Cabin Interior and Electronics
SmartSky Service Starting Soon
The SmartSky ground network is slated for full continental U.S. coverage in 2019.
Avionics
Honeywell Advances SURF IA Airport Alerting
Honeywell's SURF IA can help pilots avoid incursions involving other aircraft, using ADS-B technology.
Avionics
Avidyne 2019 Avionics Training Schedule Released
Avionics training is provided by Gary Reeves and PilotSafety.org, Avidyne's official training partner.
Avionics
Nextant Receives STC for Challenger 604XT Flight Deck
The Nextant 604XT, the first business jet with touchscreen panel displays, has been approved by the FAA.
Aircraft
Pilot Report: Piper Diesel Archer
The diesel-powered single-engine Archer might have new life in large training academies.
Aircraft
Pilot Report: Embraer Praetor 600
A flight in Embraer's new Praetor 600 super midsize jet reveals a host of new features.
Avionics
Garmin Unveils 2019 Training Schedule
Pilots can take a deep dive into their Garmin avionics at a convenient hands-on class or online.
Avionics
ADS-B Deadline Not Just a U.S./Europe Issue
The 2020 ADS-B Out deadlines in the U.S. and Europe will affect operators that fly to those countries from elsewhere.
Maintenance and Modifications
Duncan Resumes TDR-94/94D Transponder Mods
A software upgrade is available for Rockwell Collins TDR-94/94D transponders at Duncan Aviation facilities.
Avionics
Gulfstream First to Certify EFVS Landing System
Gulfstream's EFVS Landing System allows pilots to land using no natural vision to view the runway.
Maintenance and Modifications
Heatcon, Solvay Partner on Composites Distribution
Heatcon and Solvay Materials have partnered to deliver composite repair products to the aerospace industry.
Avionics
Appareo Adds Twin Cessnas to ADS-B Solution
Appareo's Stratus ES/ESG ADS-B Out STC now includes Cessna 400 series twins.
Avionics
ABC Gains STC for iPad EFB on Global 6000
A Class II EFB for the Global 6000 is now certified and available from ABC Completions.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
WhatsApp Now Live on Airtext Satcoms
Iridium satcoms are now more useful for text messaging around the world, using WhatsApp when outside the U.S.
Avionics
Garmin's Budget Autopilot Certified in Beech Singles
Garmin's GFC 500 autopilot is now available for Beechcraft Bonanza and Debonair models.
Maintenance and Modifications
ARSA Challenges NTSB Repair Station Revocation Order
If the NTSB order is upheld, the FAA will have to rewrite rules for maintenance releases, according to ARSA.
Citation Jet Pilots Convention Opens in Texas
CJP now has more than 1,000 members who fly some 600 Cessna Citations.
Maintenance and Modifications
Textron Aviation Expands Canada MRO
Textron Aviation is expanding into Canada with a new service subsidiary, Textron Aviation Canada.
Aircraft
Pilot Report: Cessna Citation Longitude
AIN flies the longest Citation as it nears certification.
Avionics
Cobham Safety Services Satcom Meets Bizjet Needs
Cobham's SwiftBroadband satcoms facilitate secure passenger and flight deck communications.
Avionics
Boeing Updates Jeppesen FliteDeck
Improvements to Jeppesen Mobile FliteDeck speed up processing time and decision-making.
Aircraft
Safe Flight AOA Tapped for Kodiak Series II
Quest Aircraft has added the Safe Flight angle-of-attack system to the Series II Kodiak.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Intelsat and Satcom Direct Launch Satcom By-the-hour
The new FlexExec satcom service and hardware will be sold on a power-by-the-hour basis.
Avionics
Avionica Simplifies C-FOQA for Bizav
More operators of business aircraft could benefit from participation in a C-FOQA program.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Pentastar Installs First SmartSky System
SmartSky is building out its tower network in anticipation of service launch in 2019.
Regulations and Government
Acass Delivers on Multiple Fronts
Acass is the only fixed-wing organization in the Americas that offers CAMO services for aircraft registered in the Cayman Islands.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Viasat Satisfies the Need for Speed
Viasat's Ka-band satcom delivers access speeds of up to 16 Mpbs on aircraft equipped with its 5510 terminal.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Gogo Dash Speeds Squawk Solutions
Gogo's Dash mobile app and web portal will help customers and maintainers gain insights into how their Gogo systems are performing.
Aircraft
HondaJet Owners Can Improve on Original
An upgrade package for original HondaJets offers increased performance and avionics upgrades.
Avionics
Chicago Jet’s Falcon 900 InSight Upgrade on STC Path
Chicago Jet's Pro Line 4 flight deck upgrades with Universal Avionics InSight displays and FMSs offer NextGen capabilities for older jets.
