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
Garmin Dealers Develop ADS-B STCs for Older Jets
Garmin's ADS-B solutions for older jets can save owners and operators tens of thousands of dollars.
Avionics
Mid-Canada Mod Adds CL604 FAA Fans Approval
The Mid-Canada Mod Center STC adds Fans 1/A+ capability to the Challenger 604 as a standalone upgrade.
Charter & Fractional
Surf Air Adds Service to San Diego Airport
The all-you-can-fly charter provider will soon offer flights to San Diego's Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport.
Charter & Fractional
NTSB Accident Report Highlights Charter Ops Audit Questions
Auditing firms want to clarify the difference between audited charter operators and those for which they provide information only.
Airports
NBAA Petitions Court To Review SMO Shutdown Agreement
Despite the FAA's agreement to allow Santa Monica Airport to be closed in 2028, NBAA and others are fighting to keep the airport open.
Rotorcraft
Bell V-280 Valor Prepping for Flight-test Program
Bell's next tiltrotor design is 93 percent done and conducting ground testing in preparation for first flight around September 2017.
Avionics
AirSatOne Lowers SwiftBroadband Airtime Rates
Operators can see price reductions of as much as 18 percent.
Training and Workforce
Technology Advances Flight Training Field
Pilot training is entering a new era thanks to rapid advances in technology and lower cost training tools.
Training and Workforce
Stomaching Jet Upsets
AIN Senior Editor Matt Thurber spends a day in all-attitude jet upset training at Aviation Performance Solutions.
Aviation Apps: New Features Make Mobile Devices Ever More Useful
Developers of aviation applications have been busy adding features and coming up with new ways to present information.
Regulations and Government
AIN Blog: Taking the Scissors to FAA Regulations
Do we truly need all FAA regulations, or have some run their course?
Charter & Fractional
JetSuiteX Delays Santa Monica Service Plan
The charter operator's scheduled service between Santa Monica, San Jose and Carlsbad, Calif., has been delayed.
Airports
FAA Caves In to City Demand To Close Santa Monica Airport
Under an agreement between the FAA and the city of Santa Monica, the city's airport will be closed permanently at the end of 2028.
Avionics
Archangel Dual-use Avionics Help Military Fly Longer
The useful lifetime of the CH-47 Chinook military helicopter could be extended with installation of dual-use Archangel sensors.
Charter & Fractional
NATA Charter Town Hall Helps Operators ID and Solve Problems
The National Air Transportation Association is holding a series of Air Charter Town Hall meetings throughout the U.S. this year.
AIN Blog: Is Flight-sharing Dead? (It’s all Uber’s Fault, Part 2)
The Supreme Court elected not to hear a case involving a flight-sharing company's attempt to offer services to the general public.
Safety
Disaster Airlift, Red Cross Partner on SMO Exercise
The disaster-preparedness event highlighted Santa Monica Airport's status as critical infrastructure in southern California.
Maintenance and Modifications
Maximum View Bubble Windows Improve AS350 Hover View
The Swiss Rotor Solutions modification for the Airbus AS350/H125 helicopter improves pilot field of view when looking down by 10 times.
Avionics
Astronics Advances EmPower Product Line
The EmPower system will be used on the Cessna Denali.
Airports
California Congressman: FAA a ‘Shill for Corporations’
Congressman Ted Lieu is siding with the city of Santa Monica in its efforts to close Santa Monica Airport.
Aircraft
Pilot Report: Falcon 8X
Dassault’s flagship is a long-range and comfortable traveling machine.
Safety
TKS Technology Offers Method To Meet New Icing Regulations
The Cav Ice Protection SLD Guard technology can be retrofitted to any type of existing ice-protection system.
Avionics
Cockpit Avionics Part I: The U.S. ADS-B Mandate
Pardon our persistence, but TIME IS RUNNING OUT.
Airports
Airports Council International-NA Files Brief in SMO Grant Issue
The amicus brief raises the question of whether the FAA is allowed to retroactively change the rules regarding grant agreements.
Avionics
Lighter Socket Port Adds USB Power to Aircraft
The Guardian Avionics cigarette lighter power port can be installed by an A&P mechanic as a minor alteration.
Safety
AIN Blog: It’s All Uber’s Fault
Will flight-sharing ever take off in the U.S., or will the Supreme Court quash such efforts?
Avionics
Garmin Unveils G1000 NXi Upgrade
The new G1000 NXi (next-generation) adds faster processors and unique features such as visual approaches and map overlays on the HSI.
Safety
Cessna Adds Safe Flight AOA to New Skyhawks
The Safe Flight angle-of-attack system is standard on all new Skyhawks and optional on the 182 and 206 models.
Airports
FAA Orders City of Santa Monica To Halt FBO Evictions
This order is intended to maintain the status quo at SMO until the FAA completes its investigation.
Charter & Fractional
JetSuiteX To Start Air Service at Santa Monica Airport
Flights will connect Santa Monica with Carlsbad and San Jose, California, starting February 6, and Las Vegas beginning on February 10.
