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
Aircraft
Product Support Survey 2016, Part 1: Aircraft
Embraer leads for jets, Mitsubishi remains in top turboprop spot
Safety
FAA’s Huerta Highlights Good News at AirVenture
Medical reform, new technology and data initiatives were topics addressed by FAA Administrator Michael Huerta at EAA AirVenture 2016.
Aircraft
Quest Preparing to Ramp Up Kodiak Production
Quest has expanded its facilities and will soon start constructing its own paint shop.
Aircraft
Lancair Offering To Sell Lancair Brand, Assets
The long-time kit airplane manufacturer is refocusing on the fast-selling Evolution piston and turbine models.
Avionics
Aspen Displays Gain Features With Software Upgrade
Aspen is certifying a software upgrade for display of ADS-B IN weather data, and MD Helicopters picked Aspen MFDs for new single-engine MD models.
Aircraft
Mooney On Track for Dual Q3 Certifications
After development of its new all-composite M10T and M10J, Mooney Aircraft will have four airplanes in production.
Avionics
Avidyne Exploring DIY Plug n’ Play Avionics Installations
The ease of installation of Avidyne's IFD series navigators may lead to a less expensive ways for pilots to do the installations themselves.
Aircraft
Aero Electric Outlines Sun Flyer Progress
Solar-electric training airplanes promise significant cost savings for new pilots.
Aircraft
Piper Adds Fuel-injected Archer Engine Option
The addition of fuel injection offers Archer buyers three engine options, including diesel and carbureted.
Evolution Builders Opting for True Blue Li-on Battery
The new TX16 lithium-ion battery offers a 45-percent weight savings over comparable lead-acid or nickel cadmium batteries.
Avionics
Innova King Airs Fitted with AeroVue Flight Decks
The company is nearing STC approval for installation of the AreoVue fight deck in its King Air 90s.
Avionics
Avidyne Swaps 'Big Glass' Into Six-pack Cockpits
Avidyne's IFD100 app enables interesting new ways to present avionics information on Apple's iPad.
Avionics
Garmin Lowers Cost of Databases with New Packages
New database update options should offer significant savings for cockpits carrying multiple Garmin avionics products.
Avionics
Garmin G5 EFIS STC'd for Certified Aircraft
FAA STC of Garmin's G5 allows installation of an electronic flight instrument in many types of general aviation aircraft.
Annual AirVenture Extravaganza Just Days Away
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh opens on July 25, welcoming visitors and thousands of aircraft from all over the world.
Avionics
Voice Commands, New Gestures Enabled For Garmin GTN
The free Garmin GTN software upgrade is available in August and adds a number of new features to the GTN series navigators.
Avionics
Garmin Shrinks Flight Stream 510 onto Multimedia Card
Garmin's new Flight Stream 510 enables wireless communication between installed avionics and mobile devices.
Aircraft
Gulfstream G500, G600 Programs Accelerating
Gulfstream’s new fly-by-wire jets take advantage of the latest technology to make flying safer and simpler.
Avionics
KaiserAir Fans STC Adds Gogo Iridium Satcom
The approval covers a number of business jet models.
Avionics
NBAA Asks FAA To Drop New Expired Nav Database Policy
The FAA's proposed policy change would eliminate the ability to defer expired navigation databases using the MEL process.
Avionics
FAA Certifies Appareo Stratus ADS-B Transponder
Two kit options are available for the new Appareo ESG ADS-B OUT transponder, with or without an ADS-B IN receiver.
Aircraft
New Gulfstream Jets On Track For Smooth Service Entry
The new G500 and G600 are the most vertically integrated Gulfstreams yet.
Amazing Aircraft Coming to EAA AirVenture This Month
Oshkosh Wittman Regional Airport is the busiest airport in the world for one week every year during the EAA AirVenture show.
Avionics
Duncan Aviation, ACSS Partner on NXT-700 AML STCs
The STC will enable ADS-B OUT transponder upgrades for a variety of business jet types.
Avionics
ADS-B Prices Drop Again For Light Aircraft Owners
NavWorx and Avidyne announced price cuts for their ADS-B products to help stimulate upgrades.
Charter & Fractional
Surf Air Announces European Expansion Plan
Surf Air's new European service begins in the fall, and flights will be flown by TAG Aviation (UK).
Aircraft
Pilot Report: HondaJet
HondaJet production is ramping up, and more pilots are getting to see how the new jet flies.
Charter & Fractional
Bozeman-bound Travelers Can Fly On JetSuiteX Embraers
The public charter service began flying a San Jose, Calif.-Bozeman, Mont. route on July 1.
Charter & Fractional
Surf Air Cuts San Carlos Noise with New Visual Approach
The all-you-can-fly charter airline averages about 18 operations per day at San Carlos Airport in the San Francisco Bay Area.
