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.

Matt Thurber

Latest from Matt Thurber

Rotorcraft

FAA Certifies Symmetrical Stabilizer for Robinson R44

The new empennage was first certified on the R66 last September
Robinson R44 helicopter
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Nextant Receives STC To Install Starlink in Globals

The satcom system runs on the Starlink low-earth-orbit network
Starlink electronically steered antenna
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Davinci Jets Installs SmartSky in Citation Latitude

The aircraft management company is installing SmartSky systems in most of its aircraft
Accidents

Hop-A-Jet Challenger 604 Crashes on I-75 in Southwest Florida

Business jet was on a flight from Columbus, Ohio
N823KD Hop-A-Jet Challenger 604
Avionics

Honeywell Releases KHND Visual Approach in Time for Big Game

No letter of authorization is required to use these procedures
Henderson Executive Airport guided visual approach
Accidents

Former Chile President Dies in Helicopter Accident

Shortly after takeoff, the helicopter crashed into the Ranco Lake in Chile
Robinson R44 helicopter
Rotorcraft

Loft Dynamics Opens Santa Monica VR Sim Center

The full-motion VR simulator costs one-twentieth the price of a full-flight simulator
Loft simulator
Training and Workforce

Wichita Aero Club Honors Journalists, Senator Moran

The gala event raised $50,000 for educational endeavors and Aero Club initiatives
Ashley Bowen Cook and Sen. Jerry Moran
Aircraft

Piper Unveils M700 Fury M-class Turboprop Single

FAA certification is expected by the end of March
Piper M700 Fury single-engine airplane
Avionics

ForeFlight Voyager Puts Vision Pro Users in VR Airports

Aviation applications are coming online for Apple's new VR headset
Apple Vision Pro Zamperini Field depiction in ForeFlight Voyager app
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Court Denies SmartSky Motion against Gogo 5G

SmartSky intends to pursue its patent infringement claims
Gogo Challenger 300
Rotorcraft

Hands On: Flying a Modern Classic, MD Helicopters’ MD530F

The 369-series helicopters have been in production for more than 60 years
MD530F
Rotorcraft

Rotor Debuts Autonomous Helicopter in New Hampshire

The flight demonstrated autonomous helicopter operation in front of a live audience
Rotor Technologies R220Y autonomous helicopter flight
Aircraft

Honda Aircraft Celebrates Delivery of 250th HondaJet

The HondaJet was FAA certified and first delivery took place in 2015
Honda Aircraft 250th HondaJet delivery celebration
Training and Workforce

Canada Grants First Training Org Approval to Coulson

The free training enables students to earn Canadian aircraft maintenance engineer-structures certification
Coulson Aviation technician training
Accidents

NTSB Wants Spin-recovery Procedure Added to Twin Commander POH

Some models of the 690 series include spin-recovery instructions
Twin Commander
Safety

European Workshop Tackles GNSS Jamming and Spoofing

The workshop identified key topics that need to be addressed to mitigate attacks
EASA bulletin GNSS spoofing and jamming
Charter & Fractional

NetJets and Pilots' Union Trade Slowdown Accusations

The pilots' union and NetJets are facing more legal issues
NetJets Cessna Citation Latitude
Rotorcraft

Aero Asset Sees Strong Single-engine Helicopter Pricing

Prices remained steady while sales numbers dropped significantly
Airbus AStar helicopter
Training and Workforce

West Star Open House Welcomes First Academy Class

Many maintenance companies are opening their own technician training programs
West Star Aviation Academy's inaugural class
Avionics

Viasat and National Flight Lab Demonstrate SBAS in UK

High-accuracy positioning could lead to more instrument approaches in the UK
 ViaSat-3 satellite
Rotorcraft

Léman Aviation Orders 10 Leonardo AW09 Helicopters

The order expands the AW09's reach in European markets
Leonardo AW09 helicopter
Avionics

Blackhawk Delivers Autoland-equipped King Air 200

The installation included a full G1000 NXi avionics suite
Blackhawk Aerospace Garmin Autoland installation
Rotorcraft

Airwolf STCs Lithium-ion Main-ship Batteries for Helicopters

The True Blue Power batteries weigh much less than traditional batteries
True Blue Power TB17 lithium-ion battery in helicopter
Aircraft

Flying Doctors Demo PC-24 Landing on Australian Road

The demonstration was a simulation of a major road incident on Stuart Highway
Pilatus PC-24 jet lands on Australian road
Charter & Fractional

NetJets Implements Mandatory Age-70 Pilot Retirement

Cap took effect on January 10, and NetJets had notified pilots a year ago
NetJets pilots
Rotorcraft

PHI Group Files Public Stock Offering

The Lafayette, Louisiana company operates 213 aircraft
PHI Group
Accidents

NTSB: Skydiving Pilot Involved in Fatal Plunge Had Used Kratom

NTSB report did not conclude that the pilot committed suicide
CASA 212 aircraft operated by North Carolina skydiving company
Aircraft

Bombardier Defense Wins Hades Global 6500 Contract

Contract supports research for the Army's Hades program
Bombardier Global 6500 business jet for U.S. Army Hades program
Avionics

Looking into the Future of Avionics for Piloted Aircraft

Avionics manufacturers are exploring a range of new technologies
Honeywell Anthem avionics