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
Avionics
Aerovie Enhances Free App Features
Updates include easier-to-read frequencies and new waypoint management features in the airports section.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Country Policies Vary for Ground Satcom Connectivity
Some airborne satcom users might not be aware that restrictions on ground use are common in many countries.
Accidents
NTSB Releases Icon A5 Fatal Accident Report
The report provides a detailed explanation of what happened, but no conclusions as to why the A5 was flown into a canyon surrounded by steep terrain.
Aircraft
Mitsubishi MRJ Resumes Flight Testing
Mitsubishi test pilots took the skies again in MRJ FTA-4 on September 6.
Avionics
Cockpit Avionics Part 2: New Rules Unleash Helpful HUDs
While head-up displays add some complexity to cockpits, they ultimately make flying much safer and easier.
Product Support Survey: Part 2: Avionics
This year’s avionics product support survey shows little change in the rankings.
Training and Workforce
AIN Blog: Could Mandatory Training Lower the Accident Rate?
The FAA's approach to pilot training has some serious holes when it comes to complex aircraft.
Avionics
TSO Issued for Universal Avionics CMU Software
The new software helps operators meet the upcoming European mandate for ATN B1 CPDLC.
Airports
Thinking Outside of the Chocks
Alphachocks inventors has devised a simpler, more sensibile aircraft wheel chocking system.
Training and Workforce
Phoenix East Aviation Has Deep Roots in Brazil
Airlines are facing a "tsunami of retirements" that could mean many opportunities for new pilots learning to fly at Phoenix East Aviation.
Aircraft
Vulcanair Targets Brazil Market with P68R Twin
The twin-engine P68R has many uses for operations in Brazil, from flight training to efficient transport.
Avionics
Universal Avionics InSight Flight Deck STC’d, TSO'd
The new InSight flight deck from Universal Avionics offers a variety of configuration options.
Maintenance and Modifications
NBAA Maintenance Conference Welcomes Tech Tribe
This year’s NBAA Maintenance Conference signaled a renewed focus on serving the needs of business aircraft maintenance technicians.
Avionics
SmartSky Delays Service Launch to Mid-2018
The SmartSky 4G LTE air-to-ground network promises high-speed airborne connectivity, including video streaming for multiple users.
Avionics
DAC International Converter Adds New GTN Interface
New STC allows aircraft owners to retain analog radio altimeters and interface them with modern navigators.
Aircraft
Product Support Survey Part 1: Aircraft
Embraer and Mitsubishi retain the tops spots in their respective categories.
Avionics
EASA OKs Chicago Jet Universal Avionics Fans Solutions
Fans retrofits are needed by many operators flying from the U.S. and also from Europe.
Avionics
Guardian Brings Low-cost MFD to Light Airplane Cockpits
Guardian's smartPlane system offers MFD-like capabilities on the iPad for less than $1,000.
Aircraft
Vulcanair V1.0 Trainer Aiming at U.S. Training Market
The four-seat piston-powered V1.0 from Vulcanair retails for $259,000 and features a glass cockpit and constant-speed prop.
Aircraft
Historic Meeting of B-29s 'FIFI' and Doc
The only remaining World War II-vintage Boeing Superfortresses rub elbows at EAA AirVenture
Aircraft
Daher Team Displays Morane-Saulnier Parasol Replica
Daher's replica of the Morane-Saulnier Type L Parasol World War I trainer took six years and more than 15,000 man-hours to build.
Avionics
IS&S, Blackhawk Partner on King Air Avionics and Autothrottle
IS&S and Blackhawk partner on new avionics upgrade and autothrottles for King Airs.
Avionics
Garmin GDL 82 Adds No-panel-change ADS-B OUT
Garmin's new GDL 82 ADS-B OUT transceiver includes a WAAS GPS and is remotely mounted.
Avionics
Hilton Software Prepping New Version 9
The newest version of Hilton Software's WingX moving-map app adds data-driven maps and other new features.
Avionics
Elliott Aviation Completes ADS-B Testing for Excel/XLS
More than 2,000 business jets could qualify for Elliott Aviation's new ADS-B upgrade for Primus II-equipped airplanes.
Avionics
CloudAhoy Adds CFI Assistant Debrief Tool
CloudAhoy's new CFI Assistant adds customizable targets for maneuvers and a score showing how well the pilot flew the maneuver.
Avionics
Dynon Enters Certified Avionics Market
Dynon's SkyView HDX glass cockpit will soon be approved for installation in the Cessna 172 and Beech B58 Baron, followed by many other types.
Avionics
Garmin Unveils New Autopilots for GA Market
Garmin's new retrofit GFC 600 and GFC 500 autopilots offer modern functionality for a large variety of general aviation airplanes.
