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
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.
Avionics
Aspen Lowers VFR PFD Price During April
Price of the Aspen Avionics VFR PFD has been lowered to $3,995 during the month of April.
Avionics
Checklists, Glide Advisor, Map Shapes Released in ForeFlight 9
ForeFlight's new version 9 includes customizable checklists in the Basic Plus and Pro Plus packages.
Avionics
Garmin Visual Approach Now Available on GTN 650/750
A free software upgrade for the Garmin GTN 650/750 navigators adds a number of new features, including visual approach guidance.
Avionics
New Digital Garmin Audio Panels Are Easy Upgrade
Garmin's new all-digital GMA 345/342 audio panels will be available in April and offer new sound quality, 3-D audio, split-com, and other features.
Avionics
TeamX Adds 7-inch Portrait Display To G3X Touch Family
Up to four G3X Touch displays of various sizes can be installed in a single aircraft, and prices start at $2,995.
Avionics
Garmin G5 DG/HSI Approved for Certified Airplanes
Garmin's G5 electronic flight instruments are now eligible for installation in more than 600 fixed-wing general aviation aircraft.
Avionics
Send Solutions STCs Iridium Satcom in Citation X
The satcom system provides text and voice capability.
Avionics
EASA Approves Garmin ADS-B Transponders
The European approval covers panel- and remote-mount transponders.
ATC
AIN Blog: Privatizing ATC: Wasting a Century of Aviation Development
The debate about privatizing the air traffic control system in the U.S. should be over: it's a bad idea.
Airports
American Flyers Closing Santa Monica Flight School
The flight academy is leaving southern California but still has bases in New York, Florida, Texas and Arizona.
Avionics
CloudAhoy 5.0 Adds SkyVector Worldwide Charts
Version 5.0 of the CloudAhoy postflight briefing app has added new features, including SkyVector worldwide charts and new instrument approach graphs.
Airports
Lawmaker Seeks FAA Explanation for SMO Settlement
Rep. Ralph Abraham wants to know why the FAA agreed to allow Santa Monica to close its long-embattled airport in 2028.
Maintenance and Modifications
Robotic Skies and uAvionix Sign Mx Partnership
Members of the Robotic Skies drone service network will provide maintenance services to uAvionix customers.
Avionics
AEA 60th Convention Opens in New Orleans
The AEA show this year features more than 135 exhibitors showing their avionics products.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Satcom Direct, Astronics AeroSat Ink FliteStream Deal
Satcom Direct dealers will be able to sell Astronics AeroSat's Flitestream T-Series satcom system under a new agreement.
Avionics
Cockpit Display Upgrade Offered by L3 Aviation
L3 Aviation's new EFI-650 LCD cockpit display has a mean-time-between-failure of more than 25,000 hours.
Avionics
Latitude Technologies Adds Voice Safety Services Satcom
Latitude's new Iridium S200-012 satcom is designed for secure voice safety services communications.
Avionics
Avidyne IFD550 Certified, 10.2 Software Upgrade Released
The new software upgrade from Avidyne adds synthetic vision capability to the IFD 540/440, including an exocentric view.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
FDS Glass Cabin Shows Window to Outside World
Passengers can "look" out of the cockpit on their mobile devices using the new FDS Avionics Glass Cabin.
Avionics
JetTech Avionics Package Picked for FlightSafety Simulator
FlightSafety clients will soon be able to train like they fly in a Citation 550 simulator equipped with a JetTech Garmin GTN 650/750 upgrade.
Aircraft
Training in the Icon A5 Amphibious LSA
Does the pilot training program match Icon Aircraft’s ambitious goals? AIN’s Matt Thurber travels to Vacaville to find the answer.
