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
FAA, Nav Canada and Aireon Test Space-based ADS-B
Messages from the space-based system proved comparable to those from the ground-based system.
Avionics
First Gogo 2Ku System for Bizjet Goes Live
The satellite communications system is designed for larger aircraft.
Avionics
Avionics Sales See Slight Uptick in First Quarter
Revenues were up only slightly, but the period marks an end to a downward trend.
Avionics
En Route Data Comm, Not Ready for Prime Time?
A draft FAA advisory circular outlines the path to en route Data Comm services.
Avionics
Max-Viz 2300 EVS Certified to DO-160G
The Max-Vix 2300 multi-spectral imaging system is designed to work with combined vision systems.
Aircraft
Stratos Is Serious About Single-engine 714
The first flight of the Stratos 714 single-engine jet last year shows that the program is back on track.
Avionics
Don’t Throw Away Those CRTs
Thousands of CRT displays are still flying in older business aircraft and regional jets, and they can still be repaired.
Airports
Santa Monica Proponents Achieve Settlement Review
The appeals court is referring a case regarding the Santa Monica Airport to a merits panel for further review.
Avionics
ForeFlight and Jeppesen Form Mobile App Alliance
The alliance between ForeFlight and Jeppesen brings benefits to both companies' customers, including Jeppesen charts on the ForeFlight Mobile app.
Training and Workforce
APS Expands Upset Training for Airbus Pilots
Aviation Performance Solutions now offers Airbus fly-by-wire upset prevention and recovery training for airline customers.
GA Manufacturers Expand Their Global Footprint
The number of general aviation manufacturers owned by non-U.S. investors is surprisingly large.
Avionics
Airborne Connectivity for Smaller Business Aircraft
Choosing the right system to provide airborne Internet connectivity is a challenge for the small business aircraft owner-operator.
Safety
AIN Blog: The FAA Specialty, Making Life More Complex
The FAA's approach to EFBs is far more complicated than necessary, and does nothing to improve safety.
Avionics
CMD Flight Solutions Receives Mexico ADS-B Approvals
CMD Flight Solutions has received Mexico DGAC validation for its ADS-B upgrades.
Avionics
Blue Avionics Solves TAWS Mode 5 Alerting Conundrum
Blue Avionics makes configurable adaptable avionics equipment that solves interface issues on a variety of aircraft.
Airports
Santa Monica Advances Runway Shortening Project
By December, the city of Santa Monica hopes to complete the project to shorten the runway at Santa Monica Airport to 3,500 feet.
Airports
Santa Monica Airport Gets Three New IFR Approaches
Three new instrument approaches will soon be available for both runways at California's Santa Monica Airport.
Avionics
FAA Issues Advisory Circular Outlining New EFVS Ops
Under a new rule issued last December, enhanced flight vision systems are going to be much more useful.
Maintenance and Modifications
Blackhawk Caravans STC'd with Lithium-ion Battery
The STC allows operators of Caravans equipped with Blackhawk Modifications engine upgrades to install the True Blue Power lithium-ion battery.
Avionics
Eagle Cap Simplifies Charts Layers in Aviation Apps
Eagle Cap Software's Aviation Charting Service will greatly simplify creating map-based aviation software applications.
Avionics
First Egnos-aided Approach Lands in Germany
The first "passenger aircraft" to fly a satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) approach in Germany was a NetJets Phenom 300.
Avionics
IS&S Earns FAA STC for PC-12 NextGen Flight Deck
The Innovative Solutions & Support NextGen Flight Deck is now FAA STC approved for installation in the Pilatus PC-12.
Airports
Aeroplex To Manage Self-serve Fuel at Santa Monica
Aeroplex is taking over management of the American Flyers self-serve fuel pump at SMO on an interim basis.
Jeppesen Creates One-Stop Flight Op Solution
Boeing company is adding BoldIQ module as it completes a major project to bring its offerings together in “Jeppesen Operator.”
Avionics
SmartSky Completes Equity Funding for ATG Network
The SmartSky 4G LTE airborne connectivity system is expected to go live later this year.
Inaugural U.S. China GA Business Conference Held in Chino
The organizers of the first U.S. China GA Business Conference were pleased with the event's success and plan to hold it again next year.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Astronics Purchases Custom Control Concepts
Custom Control Concepts was founded in 1998 and produces in-flight entertainment and cabin management systems.
Avionics
Boeing, Honeywell, NASA Flight-test Interval Management
Flight-tests of time-based interval management in Moses Lake, Washington, could lead to reduced spacing and improved airport capacity.
Avionics
TruTrak Closer to Affordable Autopilot Approval
The FAA has approved installation of TruTrak Vizion autopilot hardware in Cessna 172s and 177s in preparation for autopilot approval this summer.
Avionics
Garmin Pilot Improves Global Features
New versions of Garmin's Pilot app are available for both the iOS and Android platforms.
