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
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Fruity Chutes Can Prevent Drone Destruction
Expensive drones can be rescued from harm by parachute recovery systems.
Regulations and Government
IBAC Panel Addresses Worldwide Business Aviation Issues
Lack of regulatory structure that supports business aviation is a key issue in many countries.
Avionics
FalconEye Popular With 8X Buyers
Dassault’s FalconEye, a combined vision system that improves pilot situational awareness, has been selected by 4 out of 5 Falcon 8X customers.
Maintenance and Modifications
Ruag Presents Innovative “Enterprise” Interior
Ruag Aviation’s “Enterprise” interior design is completely unlike the typical sandy or biscuit colors found in many standard interiors.
Charter & Fractional
Second Embraer Legacy 500 Joining Cedar Executive Fleet
Cedar Executive’s second Embraer Legacy 500 is due for delivery in mid-2017.
Maintenance and Modifications
JSSI Targets Middle East Opportunities
JSSI spends more than $30 million per year on maintenance on behalf of its customers.
Maintenance and Modifications
MKTE Brings One-stop Shop to Middle East Operators
The Jordan-based service provider is a first-time exhibitor at the MEBAA show.
Charter & Fractional
Jet Scout Opens Public Charter Platform
The Jet Scout service is targeted at charter customers as well as charter providers and brokers.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Honeywell GoDirect Simplifies Business Aircraft Satcom Services
GoDirect software is designed to give operators improved access for managing their satcom systems.
Aircraft
HondaJet Pilot Wings East to Dubai
Mike Finbow flew the HondaJet from the UK to Dubai for its MEBAA show debut.
FBOs
UAS Announces Winners of its Ground Handler/Fuel Supplier Awards
Worldwide winners selected by trip support company.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Awards Status Set for Jet Aviation Basel Design Studio
Concept designs for the Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9 are named as finalist and shortlisted for two upcoming awards.
Airports
Deer Jet Completes Majority Purchase of UAS Shares
UAS is now the majority shareholder of UAS International Trip Support.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Satcom Direct, Lufthansa Technik Partner on Streaming Media
The new nicemedia service offers streaming movie and television content.
Avionics
First STC Issued for Astronics T-200 Series Satcom
The Ku-band satcom system received its first FAA STC in a Gulfstream G-IVSP
Airports
Indochina Aviation Centre Introducing Bizav to Mekong Region
First-time exhibitor Indochina Aviation Centre welcomes visitors to the Mekong region.
Maintenance and Modifications
Airbus Assigns Jet Aviation Dubai MRO Hub as Service Centre Member
Jet Aviation’s Dubai MRO is now a part of the Airbus ACJ Service Center Network.
Aircraft
Four Bombardier Jets On MEBAA Static Display
Canadian manufacturer is showing its family of business aircraft including a Learjet, a Challenger and a couple of Globals.
Dreams Soar Prepares for Solo Flight
Shaesta Waiz’s Dreams Soar round-the-world journey is set to raise money for educational scholarships.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
ArincDirect Serves Sand and Dust Storm Forecasts
The new forecasts of sand and dust storms will help operators flying in southern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
Charter & Fractional
Jet Aviation Adds UAE Approvals and New Global 6000
Jet Aviation’s Dubai MRO has received approval for G550 and G650 maintenance, and IS-BAH registration for 11 FBOs.
Aircraft
Flying the G550
AIN senior editor Matt Thurber had the opportunity to fly a real Gulfstream G550 after type-rating training at FlightSafety.
Avionics
Airborne Network Taps Aircraft as Flying Network Nodes
Low-cost wireless broadband could someday come from thousands of airborne transceivers carried on the world's airliners.
Stranded Sea Turtles Still Need Airborne Assistance
Volunteer pilots and aircraft operators play a big role in saving the lives of stranded sea turtles.
Avionics
Garmin Releases Major Upgrade of Pilot App
Version 8.5 of Garmin Pilot for the iPad brings new functionality such as weight and balance calculations integrated with flight planning.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Drone World Expo Highlights Commercial UAV Operations
The second annual Drone World Expo opened in San Jose, Calif., November 15 and ends on November 16.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Chip-maker Expands Intel-powered Drone Technology
Intel's UAV group is working on a variety of drone technology projects, from aircraft inspection to massive drone formation aerial light shows.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
AeroVironment Launches Quantix Commercial Drone System
The Quantix drone system combines hardware, software and analytics in a single platform.
Avionics
Avionics Sales Drop in Third Quarter, Says AEA
The Aircraft Electronics Association Market Report showed no uptick in avionics sales due to ADS-B equipage.
Airports
Santa Monica Forced To Delay FBO Eviction Proceedings
A preliminary hearing is set for December 1.
