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
SmartSky Skytelligence Adds Airborne Intranet Routing
SmartSky's private intranet enables secure airborne connectivity and eliminates the need for a VPN.
Avionics
Universal Avionics Gains Connected FMS TSO
The Universal Avionics Connectivity Ecosystem adds safety and convenience features to Universal's Connected FMS.
Avionics
Blackhawk Nearing STC for GI 275 Standby in Citations
Replacement of older standby instruments in Citations with Garmin's GI 275 electronic standby will reduce maintenance costs and increase reliability.
Avionics
AEA Opens 66th Annual Convention and Trade Show
Workforce development is a key focus at this year's Aircraft Electronics Association Convention and Trade Show.
Avionics
Mid-Continent 3-Pack Standby Package Goes Digital
Mid-Continent's new Flex 3-Pack digital instruments are relatively easy to swap with older mechanical two-inch instruments.
Maintenance and Modifications
True Blue Power Adds Lithium Batteries for Light Aircraft
The new main ship batteries from True Blue Power weigh just 10 pounds and are designed for 14- and 28-volt light aircraft electrical systems.
Avionics
AEA Announces Industry Award Winners
The Aircraft Electronics Association plans to honor Dewey Conroy and Avidyne at its 66th annual convention in Orlando.
Avionics
Garmin Unveils PlaneSync Datalink for Managing Data
Capturing flight data and updating avionics databases will be much simpler with installation of Garmin's PlaneSync connected aircraft management system.
Aircraft
Piper Highlights Fleet to European Audience
Piper Aircraft has unveiled new functionality for the M600/SLS's Garmin G3000 avionics suite.
Maintenance and Modifications
Officials Break Ground for AMT School in Kentucky
In a partnership between FEAM Aero and Epic Flight Academy, a new school to develop aircraft maintenance technicians will open in 2024 at KCVG Airport.
Hands On: Garmin D2 Mach 1 Aviation Watch
Garmin's latest aviation watch, the D2 Mach 1, adds a lot of new features and looks great too.
Avionics
ForeFlight Buys Flight Analytics Provider CloudAhoy
CloudAhoy has grown from a small post-flight debriefing tool into a flight data analytics provider, and it is now owned by Boeing's ForeFlight unit.
Regulations and Government
NBAA, GAMA Seek Restoration of Bizav En Route CPDLC
The use of en route datalink benefits safety, and business aviation operators should have full access to these services, according to NBAA and GAMA.
Aircraft
Instant Insurance Quotes Now Available for Aircraft Owners
SkyWatch eliminates the middleman in the aircraft insurance-buying process.
Charter & Fractional
SpeedBird Merging with Northern Jet Management
SpeedBird and Northern Jet Management are merging to create a charter/management company with annual revenues of more than $110 million.
Aircraft
Blog: Where’s My Electric-powered Airplane?
Development of electric aircraft by the experimental aircraft community seems to be lagging, but there are some interesting efforts underway.
Avionics
Bose Unveils A30 Digital ANR Aviation Headset
Bose's new A30 aviation headset is lighter and offers lower clamping pressure, which pilots will appreciate.
Safety
Aerox Introduces Headset-mounted Oxygen Cannula
The Boomula headset-mounted cannula makes supplemental oxygen use simpler for pilots.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Davinci Jets Adds SmartSky to Installation Lineup
As the newest installation center for SmartSky connectivity systems, Davinci Jets' new MRO facility will install the products in a variety of aircraft.
Avionics
Becker Avionics Enables Pairing of Digital Intercoms
Pairing the DVCS6100 and AMU6500 allows passengers to make satellite voice calls on a two-way line.
Avionics
PHI MRO To Retrofit and Support Avidyne Helix
With the Helix upgrade, legacy helicopter operators will be able to bring avionics up to modern standards and capabilities.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
THC Selects Skytrac Satcom for Helo Fleet
The Helicopter Company's large fleet of Airbus and Leonardo helicopters will be equipped with Skytrac's satellite communications system.
Training and Workforce
Loft Dynamics Demos 360-degree VR Simulator
The Loft Dynamics VR 360-degree flight simulator gives pilots a full-immersion flying experience.
Avionics
PS Engineering Enables On-wing Audio Configuration
The new HUB50 from PS Engineering brings many new features to audio management and system configuration.
Avionics
Genesys Four-axis Autopilot Installed in Black Hawk
The new Genesys four-axis IFR helicopter autopilot is designed to be on full-time and provides stability augmentation in all regimes.
Rotorcraft
FAA Qualifies Coptersafety Level D Simulators
Finland-based Coptersafety offers pilot training in the Airbus Helicopters H145 and Leonardo AW139 and AW169.
Avionics
Australia's CASA Approves ForeFlight Electronic Flight Bag
Australian civil and military pilots can now use ForeFlight's Mobile app, Dispatch web service, and Runway Analysis.
Safety
AD Restricts Autopilot, Autothrottle Ops in Global Jets
5G cellphone C-band interference could cause problems with autopilot and autothrottle use in Bombardier Global jets.
Training and Workforce
Flexjet, Embry-Riddle Open Innovation and Career Center
While many aviation university students aim for careers with airlines, Flexjet's partnership with Embry-Riddle educates students about business aviation.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Wi-Fi in the Sky: Better, Faster, Getting Cheaper
A plethora of products are available to provide airborne connectivity, and more are coming soon.
