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
Environment
AOPA Says GA Greenhouse Gas Imperceptible
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has commented on a set of proposed regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that seek t
Maintenance and Modifications
Foam-suppression Prompts Damage Lawsuit
An indication of how expensive repairs are for a business jet caught in the output of a foam-based fire-suppression system can be found in a complaint Cess
Airports
Avjet Celebrating Opening of Greenest Ever Hangar
The first private aircraft hangar certified to the platinum level by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system
Maintenance and Modifications
TAM Technological Center Receives EASA Approval
Brazilian airline TAM’s Technological Center in San Carlos, Brazil, has received EASA 145 approval to maintain the Airbus A321 and A330.
Aircraft
Eclipse Plan Approved, Factory Doors Still Open
Just one day after filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy last Tuesday, a group of investors, including European distributor Etirc Aviation, received court approval
Airports
New Airport in Georgia
Georgia’s new Paulding County celebrated the ribbon-cutting for the state’s newest airport–Paulding County Regional Airport–on November 14 with an airshow
Training and Workforce
NATA Bringing Training to AIE
At the 2009 Aviation Industry Expo–to be held March 10 through 12 in Las Vegas–the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) will offer its new “Educa
FBOs
Malta Handler Hoping to Build FBO Facility
DC Aviation has been providing airport handling services at Malta International Airport since August and has applied to the government, the airport and the
FBOs
Branson Airport Chooses Manager of FBO Services
The new Branson Airport, scheduled to open on May 11 next year, has hired former Signature Flight Support Boston operations manager Sharon Morris to be the
FBOs
New Hangar at Million Air Provo
The Million Air FBO at Utah’s Provo Airport has opened a 15,000-sq-ft hangar large enough to accommodate a Gulfstream G550.
FBOs
Landmark Expands at SPI
FBO chain Landmark Aviation has expanded the presence of its FBO at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield, Ill., with the acquisition of the asset
FBOs
Aeropremier Joins Afuel
The newest FBO at Lakefront Airport in New Orleans, AeroPremier Jet Center, has joined the Avfuel network.
FBOs
Executive Beechcraft celebrates 70th year
Kansas City, Mo.-based Executive Beechcraft celebrated its 70th year in business on November 15.
Aircraft
In the works: AAI Acquisition – A700
The fortunes of the A700 are again on the wane, following the announcement that the company halted all certification and flight-testing activities at the e
Aircraft
In the works: New Nose – ClipperSpirit
The New Nose Company’s twin-turboprop ClipperSpirit amphibian was announced in early October, coincidentally at about the same time Dornier relaunched the
In the works: Cessna Aircraft – Citation Columbus
When Cessna announced the formal launch of the Columbus large-cabin jet program earlier this year, chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton said that it was
FBOs
IFBOA: independent FBOs benefit from cooperation
Independent FBOs face problems different from those of their chain counterparts, whose sheer size often makes it easier for them to address challenges.
Revised delivery forecasts prompt cutbacks at OEMs
Acknowledging the reality of today’s economic situation, aircraft manufacturers Cessna and Hawker Beechcraft have announced workforce reductions and revise
The VLJ era
The VLJ era started with a bang on March 6, 2000, when Eclipse Aviation announced the formal launch of the Eclipse 500, a program “designed to apply techno
Eclipse struggles to stay aloft in turbulent skies
Despite intensified speculation about an impending collapse, Eclipse Aviation remained in business as this issue went to press, with company leaders still
Regulations and Government
In public comments, industry skewers LASP
Comments submitted to the Transportation Security Administration about the proposal to enact rules mandating new security processes for aircraft with a max
Maintenance and Modifications
Lufthansa Technik “Super Star” In New Hangar
Lufthansa Technik’s restoration of a Lockheed L-1649A Super Star (Super Constellation Starliner) took a major step forward when the airplane was moved on N
Maintenance and Modifications
Gulfstream Formally Launches Budget Parts Program
Gulfstream has formally launched the BudgetPlus service, offering cost-assured parts provision for owners of the Astra, G100, G150 and G200.
Accidents
Victims File Lawsuit in S.C. Learjet Accident
Travis Barker and Thelma Martin Still have filed a lawsuit in the California Superior Court following the September 19 overrun crash in Columbia, S.C., of
Security
TSA Delays Town Hall Meeting to Hear Input on LASP
The December 3 town hall meeting planned by the Transportation Security Administration to hear what general aviation operators think about the Large Aircra
Charter & Fractional
Flight Options Furloughs Due to Frax Flying Falloff
Fractional share operator Flight Options has furloughed more than 100 pilots, according to Mat Slinghoff, president of the International Brotherhood of Tea
Aircraft
Eclipse Aviation Bankruptcy Opens the Books on Debts
Just days after Eclipse Aviation achieved two key milestones–EASA and Avio NG 1.5 certification–the pioneering VLJ manufacturer this morning filed for Chap
Maintenance and Modifications
LBAS Offers Frequent Maintainer Program
Maintenance customers of Lufthansa Bombardier Aviation Services (LBAS) at Berlin-Schönefeld in Germany can earn loyalty points in the company’s new Mainten
