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
Avionics
Hilton Software Adding Geo-ref DPs and STARs to WingX
WingX's new geo-referencing feature for departure procedures and STARs will be available on iOS devices in the second quarter.
Avionics
Universal Avionics Completes Departure Clearance Tests
Live testing of departure clearances took place in Louisville, Ky., using a FANS-equipped Citation VII owned by Universal Avionics.
Charter & Fractional
JetSuiteX Launches EMB-135 Service from Burbank to Concord
The new public charter service flies regularly scheduled trips between Burbank and Concord and Concord and Las Vegas.
Avionics
Guardian Panel Mounts Put Apple Devices Front and Center
The new iFDR Panel Mounts are designed for better viewing of iPhones and iPads in the cockpit environment.
Avionics
Synthetic Vision Coming to Avidyne Navigators
Avidyne's new synthetic vision features can be displayed on IFD navigators and via Wi-Fi on iPads using its new IFD100 app.
Training and Workforce
AIN Blog: Simulator Vs. Airplane Upset Training
There will always be disputes about whether simulators or airplanes are better for upset training, but each one offers benefits.
Avionics
Garmin Unveils New Standby Instrument and Audio Panels
Garmin's new G5 standby instrument can also service as a standalone autopilot solution, while the GMA 245/245R audio panels offer "superior" sound.
Avionics
MyGoFlight Adapts Sun Shade Rails for iPad Mounting
The MyGoFlight iPad Rail Mount kit fits nearly any type of sun shade rail system used in turboprops and jets.
Avionics
NavWorx Licenses Interface With Garmin Navigators
NavWorx ADS600-B transceiver can take advantage of GPS capability of Garmin GNS/GTN navigators and save owners money during installation.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
AirSatOne Launches Airborne Wi-Fi Calling
Smartphones with the Wi-Fi calling feature can use their same number for airborne satcom calling and texting.
Airports
AirMap Unveils Drone Digital Flight Notice Network
AirMap allows airport operators to view unmanned aircraft system flight notices submitted by drone operators.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
SmartSky Networks Unveils Product, Service Pricing
The SmartSky air-to-ground network is expected to begin service in the fourth quarter of 2016, with full U.S. coverage in mid-2017.
Avionics
FAA Approves Gulfstream’s GIV-SP FANS Upgrade
Gulfstream's new FANS upgrade for the GIV-SP also enables pilots to use digital departure clearances at many airports.
Training and Workforce
MU-2 PROP Seminars Opening in April
The biennial MU-2 Pilot's Review of Proficiency seminars are free and open to any pilot.
Security
AIN Blog: Securing General Aviation
General Aviation Security guidance from government authorities is inexplicably lacking.
Avionics
Avionica Taps Duncan as Newest Dealer, Install Center
Avionica's data collection and satcom equipment is now available through Duncan Aviation.
Avionics
ForeFlight Sees Bright Future for 9.7-inch iPad Pro
The new 9.7-inch Apple iPad Pro is better suited to the cockpit environment than the larger 12.9-inch full-size Pro.
Airports
District Court Hears Santa Monica Airport Appeal
The city of Santa Monica is appealing dismissal of its 2013 lawsuit, which sought to clarify its title to the Santa Monica Airport property.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Bombardier Awarded STC for Ka-band WAVE Satcom
Bombardier's WAVE high-speed Ka-band satcom is available as an option on new Global 5000s and 6000s, and retrofittable to older models.
AIN Blog: Aerospace Technology Takes Center Stage at Pitch Session
Starburst Accelerator is opening the doors for aerospace entrepreneurs and technology developers.
Safety
SkyVector Publishes Drone Notams in Graphical Format
SkyVector's easy-to-interpret graphical drone notams–Drotams–will help pilots assess the impact of drone operations.
Avionics
Gulfstream Gaining Ground on NextGen Upgrades
Gulfstream has NextGen solutions for most of its fleet, except for the GII/GIII.
Safety
Flight-tracking Blocking Efforts Under Way
Legislative and technical methods have been proposed to let operators block aircraft identify on flight-tracking services.
Avionics
AIN Business Aviation NextGen Workshop Held at Embry-Riddle
Deadlines for ADS-B and FANS are rapidly approaching, and operators need to schedule upgrades now to prevent delays or possible grounding.
Training and Workforce
Part 135 Training Changes Recommended
An industry working group has submitted recommendations to the FAA to improve training for Part 135 pilots.
Maintenance and Modifications
L-3 NGT-9000 Adds TAWS and ADS-B Traffic Alerting
Pricing for the two software upgrades is $4,000 for eTaws and $665 for ATAS.
Training and Workforce
Flight Training: What's missing?
Plus, how to address the looming CFI shortage that will only exacerbate the pilot shortage.
Avionics
Satcom Direct Acquisition To Operate As Comsat
The operating name recognizes the company's heritage as part of Comsat Mobile.
Avionics
L-3 ESI-500 Standby Instrument TSO’d and STC’d
The AML-STC is for Class I, II and III Part 23 airplanes and Part 27 helicopters
Avionics
Archangel AHR75 AHRS Receives TSO
The lightweight MEMS-based AHRS is approved in the U.S. and Europe.
