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
Maintenance and Modifications
TSA Repair Station Security May Become New Rule
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently released a proposed set of rules prohibiting flight of general aviation aircraft weighing more th
Aircraft
In The Works: Dornier Seaplane Seastar
Dornier Seaplane brought its all-composite twin-turboprop Seastar to the static display at last month’s NBAA Convention.
Regulations and Government
TSA Enforcement
There are many questions about how the TSA will enforce the proposed Large Aircraft Security Program regulations and how the agency will know if someone is
Regulations and Government
Cost of Compliance
Here’s an estimate of the cost of compliance with the TSA’s proposed Large Aircraft Security Program:• Estimated 10-year cost to the TSA to imp
Aircraft
Eclipse sells DayJet 500s as owner lawsuits mount against Eclipse
On October 21, Eclipse Aviation formally placed defunct charter operator DayJet’s 28 Eclipse 500s on the used airplane market.
Regulations and Government
Large-aircraft NPRM raises more questions than answers
The Transportation Security Administration was scheduled to publish in the Federal Register late last month a proposed set of regulations that, if enacted,
Training and Workforce
AWAM Scholarships Available for Eager Technicians
The Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance is seeking applicants for 12 available training and education scholarships, many of which are not restric
Maintenance and Modifications
Bell Sweetens New Helos with SkyBooks Subscription
Buyers of new Bell helicopters now get a two-year subscription to the Web-based SkyBooks electronic logbook system for each helicopter purchased beginning
Embraer Marks Bandeirante 40th Anniversary
Forty years after the first flight of the prototype twin-turboprop Bandeirante (designed by Frenchman Max Holste, who also designed the Broussard, France’s
Maintenance and Modifications
Flexible Fill Bond Advances State of Putty Art
Sherwin-Williams has developed a flexible epoxy-based putty designed for aerospace applications such as filling rivets, seams and spot repair areas on airc
Security
NBAA: TSA General Aviation Security Proposal ‘Onerous’
The TSA’s general aviation security rulemaking proposal, which would force nearly 10,000 op
Maintenance and Modifications
Innotech Aviation Adds Filter Installs, Paint Facility
Under a partnership agreement signed with Air Data, Innotech Aviation’s Montreal completion center will install Air Data JetAir bio-protection systems (BPS
Maintenance and Modifications
Duncan Aviation Adding New Provo Maintenance Base
By August 2010, Duncan Aviation will open its third full-service business aviation maintenance facility–at Provo Municipal Airport in Utah.
Maintenance and Modifications
Cessna’s Mesa Center Nearly Ready for Business
Cessna Aircraft’s new service center in Mesa, Ariz., will open in January, replacing the company’s facility in Long Beach, Calif.
Maintenance and Modifications
Comlux Expanding VIP Completions with IndyJet Buy
Comlux America, a newly created subsidiary of Comlux The Aviation Group, has purchased Indianapolis Jet Center, located at Indianapolis International Airpo
Aircraft
Eclipse Claims Co-lienholder Role in DayJet Fleet Sale
An attempt by a group of buyers to make a low-ball bid for the former DayJet Eclipse 500 fleet appears to have run into a snag: Eclipse Aviation isn’t abou
Aircraft
Cirrus Adds to Vision Jet-single Orders at NBAA
As Cirrus Design’s Vision single-engine jet prototype continues to add flight hours, the manufacturer concluded a successful exhibit at this week’s NBAA sh
FBOs
FBO Profile: Volo Aviation
For many years, Volo Aviation quietly and steadily built an aircraft charter and management business headquartered at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratfor
Airports
LAS runway closure coming soon
Operators planning flights to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS) might want to make alternative arrangements beginning November 1, when Runway
Airports
Customs clearance available at Aruba
Universal Aviation Aruba will be able to pre-clear visitors for all U.S.
FBOs
Aurora Jet Center joins Avitat network
After buying Aurora Jet Center at Aurora State Airport in Oregon, new owner Metal Innovations signed a fuel provider agreement with Western Petroleum, and
Regulations and Government
TSA issues security action items for FBOs
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued updated security action items (SAIs) for FBOs.
Environment
Chevron rewards fuel buyers
Chevron Global Aviation launched a fuel buyer reward program called FlyBuys that offers gas and merchandise gift cards as rewards.
FBOs
OxfordJet now serving European travelers
The developers of the new Oxfordjet FBO at the UK’s Oxford Airport handed over the new business aviation center in July, capping a building effort that beg
FBOs
BBA adds Signature Gatwick
The Signature Flight Support FBO network grew to 23 locations in Europe following the company’s acquisition of Southern Aero Services, parent of the Interf
FBOs
SheltAir invests $41 million in several facility upgrades
SheltAir Aviation plans to finish its new FBO at Savannah Hilton Head International Airport around the end of the year and open for service early next year
Airports
SMO brief appeals reversal of ban
The city of Santa Monica, Calif., filed an appeal to the court injunction that precludes Santa Monica Airport (SMO) from imposing a ban on Category C and D
GKN Develops Hot Bond in Autoclave Composites Repair
GKN Aerospace has developed a new repair process allowing hot-bonding of composite structure inside an autoclave.
Pieper Confident about Eclipse Production Prospects
Starting next year, Eclipse Aviation plans to ramp up production of the Eclipse 500 back to a rate of about one airplane per day, chairman and CEO Roel Pie
