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

FBOs

Avcard now accepted at Signature

Signature Flight Support and Avcard have implemented a contract fuel discount program at Signature FBOs in the U.S.
FBOs

Universal unveils updated online flight planner

Universal Weather & Aviation has released a new version of the online UVflightplanner.com service with improved functionality.
FBOs

Moses Lake gets new Million Air

Freeman Holdings, owner of five Million Air FBO franchises, has purchased the former Air America Fuel & Services FBO at Grant County International Airp
FBOs

Renovated landmark HPN opens

On December 10, Landmark Aviation celebrated the grand opening of the FBO chain’s newly renovated FBO at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, N.Y.
FBOs

NATA launches new FBO seminars

The National Air Transportation Association’s new seminar series, “How to Build a More Successful FBO,” got off to a strong start with the first of the two
FBOs

Samaritan 206 drops in at Business Jet Center

The Business Jet Center FBO at Love Field in Dallas had an unusual visitor on November 12, a Cessna 206 on a nationwide tour before traveling to Papua New
FBOs

New runway ready at Cobb County

The widening and repaving project at Cobb County-McCollum Airport in Kennesaw, Ga., was completed early last month, and the runway is now 6,305 feet long a
FBOs

Three FBOs join Avfuel Network

The Million Air FBO at Griffiss International Airport in Rome, N.Y., is now an Avfuel dealer.
FBOs

Rectrix opens second FBO

Rectrix Aerodrome Centers has opened a second FBO, at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport in Florida, which joins the company’s first FBO in Hyannis,
FBOs

Davis flight completes remodel

Avfuel dealer Davis Flight Support has remodeled its Yolo County, Calif.
FBOs

Odyssey new name for seven FBOs

Seven former Million Air FBOs have joined in a marketing partnership with Odyssey Aviation Bahamas to form a new Odyssey Aviation FBO network.
Aircraft

In the Works: Outlook good for major OEMs’ programs, but the future is hazier for smaller firms

In many ways, last year was an extraordinary year for business aviation, with a record of more than 1,000 jet deliveries but also a large number of new jet
Aircraft

On the heels of EASA certification, Eclipse files for bankruptcy protection

Eclipse Aviation filed for Chapter 11 protection in U.S.
Regulations and Government

TSA seeks comment on LASP

The February 27 deadline for comments about the Transportation Security Administration’s Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP) rules proposal is rapidly a

NBAA Recalibrates LBA2009 Conference

The inaugural NBAA Light Business Airplane Conference (LBA2009) scheduled in March in San Diego will be held over the course of two days (March 13 and 14)
Safety

NTSB: Don’t Wait For Ice Buildup Before Inflating Boots

The NTSB released a new safety alert warning pilots not to wait for ice to build before inflating de-

Global Aviation’s Lockhart Promoted to Vice President

Independent maintenance provider Global Aviation of Hillsboro, Ore., has promoted Brian Lockhart to vice president.
Maintenance and Modifications

Clifford Issued STC for Citation 550/S550 Reengining

The FAA issued a Supplemental Type Certificate to Clifford Development for modification of Cessna Citation 550s and S550s with Williams International FJ44-
Aircraft

Eclipse Owners, Depositors Form Customer Committee

A group of Eclipse 500 owners and position holders for the Eclipse 400 and 500 this week formed an ad hoc customer committee to represent their interests d

TransDigm Buys APC From GE’s Unison Industries

General Electric’s Unison Industries subsidiary has sold its Aircraft Parts Corporation (APC) business unit to TransDigm Group for approximately $68 millio
Maintenance and Modifications

Global Jet’s First E-learning Course Now Avilable

Aircraft maintenance training provider Global Jet Services has launched its first online training course for maintenance technicians.
Maintenance and Modifications

Mechanic Sentenced for Fraud, Money Laundering

On December 3, Robert Schlotzhauer of Lee’s Summit, Mo., was sentenced to 12 months home confinement and ordered to pay a $550,000 fine and $63,854 in rest
Charter & Fractional

CitationShares Adjusting Deliveries, Staffing

Fractional share provider CitationShares is reducing the size of its pilot workforce by 30 people, according to CEO Steve O’Neill.
FBOs

FBOs Join New Odyssey Aviation Partnership

Seven FBOs have left the Million Air franchise system and switched to a new brand name, Odyssey Aviation, having joined in a marketing partnership with the
Maintenance and Modifications

J.P. Morgan Research Adjusts GD/Jet Aviation Estimates

A recent J.P.
Maintenance and Modifications

AFS Near STC for Bell 430 Inlet Filter System

The FAA is expected to grant a supplemental type certificate within a few months to Donaldson subsidiary Aerospace Filtration Systems (AFS) of St.
Maintenance and Modifications

Foreign Repair Station Moratorium Effort Imminent

According to the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA), the International Brotherhood of Teamsters is gearing up to ask lawmakers to include in an
Maintenance and Modifications

Nordam Restructures, Bill Peacher Now CEO

The Nordam Group board of directors promoted Bill Peacher to CEO of the Tulsa, Okla.
Charter & Fractional

Phenom 100 Wins Brazilian Certification, FAA OK Pending

Embraer’s Phenom 100 very light jet today received type certification from Brazil’s Agência Nacional de Aviaçao Civil (ANAC) and FAA approval is expected b
Engines

Eclipse 500 Operators Disagree with FAA on Carbon AD

When it issued Eclipse 500 Airworthiness Directive 2008-24-07, which becomes effective today, the FAA asked for comments from operators.