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

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
Accidents

Mystery of Missing Gulfstream III Deepens

Reports that the jet's wreckage was found might not be accurate
Missing Gulfstream III private jet
Maintenance and Modifications

Under New Ownership, Jet East Continues Rapid Growth

Combination of Jet East and West Star creates a broadly capable MRO operation
Jet East
Aircraft

FAA Certifies Icon A5 Amphibian in Primary Category

The certification will help Icon sell the A5 in other countries
Icon A5 amphibious airplane
Avionics

FAA Grants STC for Wearable Head-up Display on 737NG

The STC enables a 50 percent reduction in minimum visibility requirements
Universal Avionics ClearVision in Boeing 737NG
Charter & Fractional

AirSprint’s 15th Praetor 500 Joins Fractional Fleet

The new jet is the sixth addition this year to AirSprint's fleet
AirSprint's 15th Embraer Praetor 500
Charter & Fractional

NJASAP: NetJets Pilots Plan Exodus without a Pay Hike

The pilots' union and NetJets disagree about salary and working conditions
Article image
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Gogo Receives First STC for Installation of 5G LRU

The STC prepares for launch of Gogo's 5G network in the third quarter of 2024
Gogo Business Aviation air-to-ground Wi-Fi
Regulations and Government

House Passes FAA Reauthorization Extension

Temporary funding delays the decision on five-year FAA reauthorization
Ed Bolen (Photo: NBAA)
Maintenance and Modifications

AeroTec Applies Matte Black Look to SCK Aviation G450

Painting an entire business jet matte black is a challenging job
SCK Aviation Gulfstream G450 matte black paint
Regulations and Government

Trevor Jacob Heading to Jail but Still Flying

FAA is reinstating his pilot certificate a year after it was revoked
Trevor Jacob exits airplane after supposed engine failure