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
Training and Workforce
CAE Puts VR To Work in Pilot Training
CAE's virtual and mixed reality training systems provide more efficient and realistic simulator scenarios.
Training and Workforce
FlightSafety Taps New Tech for Training
FlightSafety International is putting virtual, mixed, and augmented reality technology to use for modern training programs.
Training and Workforce
Desktop Sim Developer Addresses Bizjet Market
Until recently, the fidelity of desktop simulators of business jets has been lacking, but that has changed with release of the HotStart Challenger 650.
Avionics
ForeFlight Enables Per-leg Altitude Adjustments
A long-awaited new feature in ForeFlight (Pro Plus versions and above) enables per-leg altitude adjustments in flight plans.
Avionics
Extant Buys Astronautics Electromechanical Line
Astronautics is selling its legacy electromechanical instrument product line to support specialist Extant Aerospace.
Avionics
Boeing Signs Operators for ForeFlight Solutions
Charter operators are adopting ForeFlight flight planning and EFB solutions for their worldwide operations.
Aircraft
ACJ TwoTwenty Makes Inroads in Business Aviation
Airbus is seeing consistent growth in sales of its ACJ TwoTwenty, the corporate version of the A220 airliner.
Safety
Aviation Manuals Adapts to ‘Remarkable’ Growth
Aviation Manuals is helping flight operations prepare for upcoming safety management system mandates.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Inmarsat, Honeywell Launch SwiftJet L-band Satcom
Inmarsat's new L-band network will bring higher speeds for L-band satcom users.
Alpha Chocks Offers New Options
An alternative to heavy and unwieldy rubber chocks, Alpha Chocks are available for any size aircraft.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Airbus Gets Creative with New ACJ Design Studio
The new Airbus creative studio fills the need for customers to visualize cabin layout and materials options.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Bivy Stick Simplifies Iridium Satcom Messaging
ACR Electronics added the Bivy Stick Iridium satcom messaging device to its product lineup last year and is promoting it for aviation uses.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Residco Adds To Leasing Pool with Brown Asset Buy
Leasing company Residco is making a move into the light aircraft leasing business and plans to serve flight schools and university flight programs.
Maintenance and Modifications
Stevens Aerospace Holds New MRO Grand Opening
The new Stevens Aerospace MRO facility at Smyrna Airport in Tennessee features a 40,000-sq-ft hangar and 17,000 sq ft of shop and office space.
Engines
Rolls-Royce Exhibit Showcases Electric Ambitions
At the recent Aero Friedrichshafen show, Rolls-Royce Electrica showed off its electric aircraft propulsion and storage systems it is developing.
Training and Workforce
Red 6 Augmented Reality Platform Picked by Saudi’s Advanced Electronics
Augmented-reality platform developer Red 6 has signed a strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia-based Advanced Electronics.
Aircraft
Cirrus Continues To Expand European Footprint
Cirrus is opening a new regional operations office in Rotterdam as sales worldwide continue to grow.
Aircraft
Apus Aircraft Design Stores Hydrogen in Wing Spar Tanks
Apus Group is developing a family of composite aircraft that will store hydrogen in circular wing spar fuel tanks.
Aircraft
Daher Delivers First TBM 960 During Aero Show
The new TBM 960 has started deliveries, and the model is already sold out through September 2023.
Aircraft
Pipistrel Seeking To Fly Electric Velis Trainer Under New FAA Rules
Pipistrel hopes to begin deliveries of its Velis Electro electric-powered training airplane in the U.S. next year after changes to FAA regulations.
Aircraft
Flight Design Plans Hydrogen Flight Tests in 2023
Flight Design aims to begin flight tests of its hydrogen-powered Hyfly research airplane in 2023.
Aircraft
Diamond Signs with Safran for Electric DA40 Propulsion
The electric version of Diamond's DA40 training airplane will be powered by Safran's EngineUs motor with an integrated motor controller.
Aircraft
Junkers JU-52 Returning to the Skies
The venerable and popular Junkers JU-52 is getting a new lease on life with an updated version planned for entry into service in 2026.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
SpaceX Signs First Aircraft Operator for Starlink Satcom
JSX's Embraer ERJs will be the first airborne application of SpaceX's Starlink satcom.
Safety
IMC Club Founder Forms Pilot Proficiency Network
IMC Club founder Radek Wyrzykowski is encouraging all pilots to learn about IFR flying with his new Pilot Proficiency Network.
Avionics
FDS Adds Interface Unit for Legacy Data Recorders
Flight Data Systems' new Flight Data Acquisition Interface Unit can help owners/operators upgrade to a modern FDR at minimal cost.
Avionics
TailBeaconX ADS-B/navlight Transponder Receives FAA STC
The supplemental type certificate for the uAvionix tailBeaconX ADS-B transponder offers a lower-cost way to achieve ADS-B Out compliance.
Training and Workforce
WAI/King CFI Scholarship Awarded to Charnell Walls
Charnell Walls wants to use her CFI scholarship as a springboard into teaching young girls to fly.
Avionics
Honeywell Anthem Moving Avionics into the Future
Extensive use of touchscreens and cloud connectivity are highlights of Honeywell's new Anthem avionics suite designed for small and large aircraft.
Avionics
Universal Avionics, Trimec Partner on Falcon 2000
Universal Avionics and Trimec are developing an STC to install the InSight flight deck in Falcon 2000/2000EX business jets.
