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
In The Works: Cessna 850 Citation Columbus (née Large Cabin Concept)
Cessna’s newest project, first unveiled as a concept airplane at NBAA 2006 and dubbed the Large Cabin jet, is now the biggest jet in the company’s lineup a
FBOs
Record-breaking FBO Consolidation Continues
The completion on Monday of Encore FBO’s $436 million purchase of the Landmark Aviation FBO and charter business from Dubai Aerospace Enterprise caps a ser
Charter & Fractional
PrivatAir U.S. Division Sold to Gama Holdings
Farnborough, UK-based business aircraft operations company Gama Holdings purchased PrivatAir Inc., the U.S.
Maintenance and Modifications
Sheikh Ahmed gets supply chain Asia visionary award
Supply Chain Asia, a 12,000-member supply chain organization promoting the development of Asia’s supply chain and logistics sector, has awarded HH Sheikh A
FBOs
FBO Profile: Houma Jet Center
“Houma Airport is a gem of an aviation facility that has not ever been fully exploited from a general aviation standpoint,” said Duke Williams, co-owner of
FBOs
Kaz buys Attractions Jet Center
A new company called Kaz Aviation launched its FBO expansion plan with the purchase for $2.3 million of all the assets of Attractions Jet Center at Kissimm
FBOs
Sunborne adds APA leasehold
Airport property development company SunBorne signed a long-term lease with Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority for another 69 acres adjoining SunBorn
FBOs
Flight Explorer adds Universal airport data
Users of Flight Explorer’s Professional Aircraft Situation Display can now access Universal Weather & Aviation’s UVTripPlanner global airport data via
FBOs
Gov't budget proposes airport funds cut
The Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) is disappointed in the latest U.S.
FBOs
ExxonMobil Avitat celebrates 40th year
Forty years ago, the first Avitat FBO in Brussels, Belgium, launched a network that now consists of more than 60 FBOs around the world, including four rece
FBOs
Sheltair celebrates 20th
SheltAir Aviation Services has reached the 20-year mark and now consists of 11 FBOs–five in New York and six in Florida.
FBOs
Volo expands FBO network
With little fanfare, aircraft management and charter operator Volo Aviation is rapidly building an FBO chain, with five facilities now under its banner.
FBOs
Seafaring seminar for FBO owners and operators
The National Air Transportation Association is offering a new way for FBO owners and operators to learn more about their vocation at the first How to Build
FBOs
Oxford adds terminal for business aviation
In June, pilots will be able to use a new business aviation terminal at Oxford Airport in the UK, the first phase of planned improvements by Reuben Brother
FBOs
Maguire buying third VNY FBO
Maguire Aviation, which bought the former Petersen Aviation FBO at Van Nuys Airport in Southern California in 2006 and more recently the airport’s Million
Airports
TEB training tool available online
Teterboro Airport (TEB) has adopted a training tool developed by Raleigh, N.C.-based Noverant to help pilots prepare for flights into and out of the busy n
Aircraft
Twin Otter development continues
Viking Air’s relaunch of the fabled Twin Otter is progressing on schedule, and the first modified airplane incorporating all the planned new features of th
‘Jump jet’ gets drafted for civilian flying duty
The Rolls-Royce Pegasus-powered roar that rent the air at St.
Training and Workforce
SFAR outlines more stringent training for MU-2 pilots
More than two years after the FAA completed its latest evaluation of the relatively high accident rate of the Mitsubishi MU-2 twin turboprop, the agency is
Charter & Fractional
No clear winner in Flexjet training lawsuit
Pilots often wonder what happens if they sign a contract to repay training costs when accepting a flying job that involves expensive simulator training but
Aviation Industry Expo 2008 preview
Last year was the first National Air Transportation Association (NATA) FBO Leadership Conference, following the association’s splitting its annual confe
Charter & Fractional
Operational control: FAA’s interest extends farther back than last year
Well before the conclusion of its extensive investigation of AMI Jet Charter and emergency revocation of AMI’s charter certificate last year, the FAA in
FBOs
Macquarie nixes deal to partner with Universal
Universal Weather & Aviation’s deal to enter into a partnership with Australia’s Macquarie Group is off, according to both companies.
In 2007, deliveries of business aircraft surged
General aviation manufacturers enjoyed another record-breaking year last year, with billings totaling $21.9 billion, up 16.5 percent from the previous year
Charter & Fractional
Operational control scrutiny could extend beyond charter operations
Aviation industry experts believe that the FAA’s next operational control focus will be on Part 91 operators, specifically management companies that manage
Adam Aircraft closes up shop
At a time when business jet deliveries are setting record highs (see page 3), Adam Aircraft, an Englewood, Colo.
Aircraft
Announcing Columbus, Cessna commits to large-cabin Citation
After extensive market research and more than a year of showing prospective customers a cabin mockup of a large-cabin jet, on January 24 Cessna Aircraft fo
Former exec recounts woes at Silver State
When Silver State Helicopters salesman “John Smith” (not his real name) was laid off in mid-November from his job recruiting student helicopter pilots, he
CopterJobs makes recruitment a click away for helicopter workers
Debi Irby always had a tough time finding new employees when she was chief pilot for various helicopter operators.
