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
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.
Training and Workforce
The Fire Hose Chronicles: G550 Initial Type Rating at FlightSafety
AIN senior editor Matt Thurber experiences the challenge and stress of adding a G550 type rating to his pilot certificate.
Avionics
Garmin Improves Pilot App Features
Version 8.4.4 adds Flight Stream 510 integration, Jeppesen chart integration, chart overlays and glide range ring.
Training and Workforce
FlightSafety’s CPDLC App Free For Limited Time
The new CPDLC training course runs on FlightSafety’s FlightBag app.
Avionics
Active Sidesticks Pave Gulfstream Flight Control Path
The BAE active inceptor sidesticks are a key feature in the G500 and G600 fly-by-wire flight control system.
Avionics
Gulfstream Actively Upgrading Older Jets
A variety of avionics and airframe upgrades are available to keep the GIV and GV flying through 2030.
Jeppesen’s Operator Solves Trip-planning Pain Points
The new software from Jeppesen brings together its trip planning, flight planning and other services in one program.
Maintenance and Modifications
Teledyne Battery Sees Sealed Battery Future
The Redlands, Calif., battery manufacturer designs and builds all of its products.
FlightSafety Expanding UPRT Course to More Types
The FlightSafety Advanced Training courses are available for more aircraft types, including upset training.
Aircraft
Citation Hemisphere Taking Shape in Static Mockup
Textron Aviation brought a cabin mockup of the large-cabin Hemisphere, its largest business jet ever.
Avionics
Legacy Jets Offered New ACSS Options for ADS-B Compliance
The ACSS NXT-700 and NGT-900 GPS receiver combine to offer lower-cost ADS-B OUT compliance.
Avionics
Genesys Prepping Part 25 Autopilot for New-build, Retrofit Markets
The new S-Tec 5000 autopilot will help business jet, regional airline and military operators modernize their flight controls.
Avionics
Big Benefits Come in Honeywell Apps
Honeywell’s GoDirect apps deliver safety and efficiency benefits to pilots and technicians.
Avionics
WingX Pro7 Speeds Up Data Downloads
New features in the WingX Pro 7 aviation app make downloads faster and improve SAR functions.
MyGoFlight is a Gadget-lovers Candy Store
The pilot supply shop specializes in cockpit accessories to make flying easier and safer.
Maintenance and Modifications
Traxxall Integrates with FOS
The integration simplifies the sharing of maintenance-tracking information with the Rockwell Collins Flight Operations System.
FDManager Automates Flight Records Process
The software can pay for itself by eliminating mistakes in tallying flight times.
Safety
Dynamic Curtailment Added to APG iPreFlight App
The new feature enables operators to account for changes in center of gravity during flight.
Charter & Fractional
Audit Protocol Software Adds EASA Regulations
The iIS-BAO software by Fountain and Associates makes complying with audit requirements much simpler.
Maintenance and Modifications
Western Jet Preps for Influx of Mx, Avionics Work
The Van Nuys Gulfstream maintenance specialist is expecting an influx of customer airplanes for NextGen upgrades.
Engines
GE Honda Aero Engines Poised to Add to Turbofan Family
The HF120’s key attributes are factors that will carry through to larger engines in the GE Honda Aero family.
