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
Maintenance and Modifications
Tamarack Aero Targets Airliners for Winglet Mods
Active winglets could lower Airbus A320 fuel burn by 10 to 15 percent, according to Tamarack Aerospace.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Stellar Blu To Provide Satcom Direct Service
Stellar Blu's satcom system for the OneWeb network is being certified on Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer executive airliners.
Safety
Prime Jet Integrates Mx Analysis, Surveillance with SMS
Prime Jet has access to more information on safety and maintenance issues by integrating its CASS with Wyvern's QSMS program.
Aircraft
Pilot Report: Daher Kodiak 900
The new Kodiak 900 is the 100's bigger but more elegant brother, and both have their own niche in the marketplace.
Safety
What We’re Reading: 'Fly the Friggin’ Airplane!'
Pilot and raconteur Patrick Gordon reminisces about his early flying adventures and the lessons he has learned.
Safety
Jeppesen, NBAA Coordinate on Cyber Response
Jeppesen services are coming back online following a "cyber incident" that began on November 2.
Safety
NTSB’s Graham Calls for More SMS Participation
The NTSB's Most Wanted List for aviation continues to advocate for establishment of safety management systems and flight data monitoring.
Training and Workforce
Tony Kern Calls Out Aviation on Sexual Harassment
Business aviation could solve its worker shortage by making the industry a safe place for female employees, according to Tony Kern.
Safety
Jeppesen Planning, Chart Products Suffer ‘Technical Issues’
Reports suggest that Boeing's Jeppesen unit is suffering from a ransomware attack, although this has not yet been confirmed by Boeing.
Safety
P-FOQA Offers Lower-cost Safety Analysis
CloudAhoy's pilot-focused FOQA program enables almost any aircraft to access vital safety information.
Rotorcraft
Electric R44 Completes First Airport-to-airport Flight
An electric-powered R44 helicopter modified by Tier 1 Engineering and Lung Biotechnology showed a new way to transport transplantable organs.
Safety
Citation Jet Pilots Convention Serves Up Aviation Safety
Members of the Citation Jet Pilots Association have had two years of no incidents or accidents.
Airports
Injunction Keeps East Hampton Airport Available to Public
Long Island's East Hampton Airport will remain open without planned restrictions under a ruling by the State Supreme Court.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
SpaceX Unveils Details on Airborne Starlink
Starlink Aviation will cost $12,500 to $25,000 per month and provide global airborne connectivity at speeds up to 350 Mbps.
Avionics
Textron Aviation Picks Skytrac for FANS Upgrade
The Citation Sovereign and Hawker 4000 will be able to take advantage of FANS safety services with an STC under development by Textron Aviation.
Avionics
Major OEM Selects Universal’s Aperture Visual System
Universal Avionics' Aperture will enable pilots to use augmented reality to enhance flight deck visual imagery.
Avionics
Avidyne Upgrading Learjet 55C with Dual Atlas FMS
Flying fully-coupled LPV approaches is now possible in the Learjet 55C after installation of Avidyne Atlas FMSs.
Avionics
Garmin Certifies GI 275 as Backup Instrument in Falcon 7X
Falcon 7X operators now have the option of installing Garmin's GI 275 as a replacement backup electronic flight instrument.
Legislators Worried About FAA Workforce, Experience
Legislators with aviation backgrounds brought up some critical issues that could drive next year's FAA reauthorization bill.
FlightAware Offering API Access to Historical Data
FlightAware's new AeroAPI will give access to its historical data of more than 713 million flights.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Inmarsat Rolling Out Evolution Satcom Upgrades
Inmarsat's JX Evolution satcom brings faster speeds to airborne connectivity customers with no change to service plans.
Aircraft
HondaJet Elite II Adds Range and Automation
The newest version of the HondaJet flies 110 nm farther and will be equipped with an autothrottle and Autoland system.
Security
Flight Pro Passes Ethical Hacking Testing
Penetration testing of Flight Pro Connect technology will help show customers that they can trust the company's services.
Avionics
ForeFlight Grows Business Aviation Services
ForeFlight is demonstrating its Dispatch and ForeFlight Mobile software at the NBAA convention in Orlando.
Maintenance and Modifications
Nuvite Wash Applies to All Types of Paint Finishes
Nuvite's new SS9-3 wet-wash helps keep matte and glossy paint finishes clean and attractive.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Satcom Direct Advances Satcom Antenna Technology
Satcom Direct's Plane Simple antenna and hardware offer satellite connectivity to a variety of business aircraft.
Maintenance and Modifications
Sherwin-Williams Lets Customers Try Out Colors
Paint color choices are nearly endless, and Sherwin-Williams wants to help customers try out different colors before making a final selection.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
SmartSky Asks Court to Reconsider Gogo Decision
SmartSky Networks believes that Gogo Business Aviation's 5G network is infringing SmartSky patents.
Maintenance and Modifications
AkzoNobel Applies VR To Paint Training Process
Virtual reality training for aircraft painters is the latest application of this innovative technology.
Aircraft
Meet Hideto Yamasaki, Honda Aircraft’s New CEO
The new president and CEO of Honda Aircraft, Hideto Yamasaki, aims to build on his predecessor's success.
