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
Embraer Engineering Facing Future Challenges
Embraer's engineering team is exploring a variety of technologies to power aircraft of the future.
Embraer Aims To Triple Revenue in Next Five Years
Embraer's Fit4Growth plan is moving ahead after recovery from the pandemic accelerates progress in various programs.
Aircraft
Eve Steps Up Ground Tests Ahead of eVTOL Prototype Assembly
Selection of the main equipment suppliers for Eve’s eVTOL vehicle will happen during the second half of the year, according to company executives.
Safety
Ergo Blue App Adds Ships, Rigs Display on ForeFlight
Pilots facing emergency ditching situations during overwater flights can now view ship and oil rig location on the ForeFlight app.
Aircraft
Honda Aircraft Go for Launch of HondaJet 2600 Light Jet
Unveiled at the 2021 NBAA convention, the HondaJet 2600 Concept jet is set to achieve certification in 2028.
Maintenance and Modifications
AINsight: Solving the Mx Tech Shortage without More Techs
Too much aircraft maintenance is done just for the sake of it, not because it is truly necessary, and this ties up valuable mechanic time.
Turtles Fly Too Seeks Ride for Tally the Turtle
An endangered Kemp's ridley turtle needs to be flown to Texas from Wales, where it was rescued after being cold-shocked.
Avionics
Father of EGPWS Don Bateman Passes Away at 91
Don Bateman, who held multiple patents for flight safety-related products and retired from Honeywell in 2016, died on May 21.
Aircraft
Classic Lear Jet Moving into Bombardier Hangar
After sitting on a ramp in Florida for 27 years, Lear Jet 23-003, the first one delivered to a customer, is ready for restoration to begin.
Charter & Fractional
Executive Fliteways Acquires ExcelAire, Adds to Fleet
After buying ExcelAire, Long Island, New York-based charter and management firm Executive Fliteways now offers a fleet of 20 aircraft.
FutureFlight
Eve Steps Up Ground Tests In Preparation For eVTOL Prototype Assembly
Eve Air Mobility is working with suppliers and testing components for its prototype eVTOL aircraft.
Maintenance and Modifications
Profound Change Moves the Maintenance Market
Supply chain problems, a tough market for finding new technical personnel, and door-busting levels of business are affecting aircraft MRO providers.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Satcom Giants Joined after Viasat Closes Inmarsat Buy
The purchase of Inmarsat by Viasat completes an acquisition plan that was announced in November 2021.
Aircraft
HondaJet 2600 May Be Nearing Launch Decision
The HondaJet 2600 "Concept" could become Honda Aircraft's next program, and a launch decision may be made soon.
Aircraft
HondaJet Elite II Receives EASA Nod
The HondaJet Elite II made its EBACE debut and received EASA certification during the show.
Security
Bizjet Protesters Breach Geneva Airport Secure Zone
A group of protesters who claim to be against the use of business jets knocked down fences around the EBACE static display.
Accidents
HondaJet Owners Concerned About Runway Issues
The HondaJet Owners & Pilots Association plans to hold to safety standdown event to discuss runway excursion issues.
Aircraft
Cessna Citation Longitude Fleet Growing as 100th Rolled Out
With delivery of the 100th Longitude, Textron Aviation's flagship business jet is building momentum.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Global Jet Capital Predicts Bizjet Pullback before Climbout
The business jet market is taking a breather after a rapid buildup during the Covid pandemic, according to Global Jet Capital.
Aircraft
Textron Aviation Unveils Ascend as Latest in XL Family
The new Ascend adds another jet to Textron Aviation's family of business jets with Garmin G5000 flight decks.
Avionics
Anthem Avionics Suite Preps for Prime Time
Honeywell's Anthem avionics design adds new functionality to aircraft of any size, from eVTOLs to airliners.
Training and Workforce
Textron Aviation Adding CJ Simulator in Farnborough
TRU convertible Citation CJ3+/M2 Gen2 full-flight simulator to join FlightSafety Farnborough learning center in 2025.
Training and Workforce
FlightSimExpo Celebrating At-home Simulation
FlightSimExpo expects more than 70 exhibitors at this year's event, to be held in Houston at the Lone Star Flight Museum.
Avionics
Aspen Offers E5 Display Fifth Anniversary Discount
Aircraft owners can purchase the Aspen Avionics E5 primary flight display for just $4,995.
Aircraft
Delayed Denali Adding Garmin Autoland Capability
Textron Aviation has revealed that the Denali turboprop will be certified in early 2025 and that the Denali will include Garmin Autoland capability.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
ViaSat-3 Launched, Achieves Signal Acquisition
Viasat's new high-speed broadband satcom network is underway following launch of the first ViaSat-3 satellite.
Avionics
KTEB Hosts Honeywell’s First Guided Visual Approach
With the right equipment and training, there's now a safer way to fly the ILS 6, circle to 1 approach into Teterboro Airport.
Avionics
Sentry AML-STC Done, Meets Canada CVR Mandate
The Flight Data Systems Sentry cockpit voice recorder can be installed in a variety of turboprops and business jets under a new AML-STC.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Alto Offers Receptacles for Cabin Tablet Mounting
The new Alto Aviation Cadence base receptacles for mounting tablets in cabins are available in a variety of configurations.
Avionics
Universal Avionics Gains Connected FMS TSO
The Universal Avionics Connectivity Ecosystem adds safety and convenience features to Universal's Connected FMS.
