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

Cabin Interior and Electronics

Satcom Direct Is Expanding Connectivity Options

Always-on and redundant satellite service will soon be available
Satcom Direct electronically steered antenna installation
Training and Workforce

CAE Meeting Bizav Customers in Local Markets

Demand for pilots and technicians is driving the training business
rendering CAE Vienna training centre
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Starlink Aviation Dealer Numbers Expanding Rapidly

Business jet owners are showing strong interest in Starlink systems
Elevate MRO Starlink satcom installation
Rotorcraft

Shell Signs with CHC Helikopter for North Sea Support

The contract is a continuation of the CHC-Shell relationship
CHC Helicopter Sikorsky S-92
Rotorcraft

Panterra Buys Blackhawk Fitted with Extensive Ace Mods

Upgrade includes avionics and firefighting equipment
Sikorsky Blackhawk helicopter
Avionics

Flight Tests Could Pave Way for Quantum-based INS

UK government is funding research into spoof-proof navigation technology
UK quantum test flights in RJ100 aircraft
Avionics

EASA Addresses AI Implementation in Updated Concept Paper

Concepts include visual guidance and virtual copilot technology
Daedalean visual landing system
Rotorcraft

Sumitomo Mitsui and LCI Order 21 Airbus Helicopters

Deal for H145s, H160s, and H175s includes firm orders for 14 and options for seven
LCI and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing helicopter order
Rotorcraft

VAI Rallies Members To Help Keep NYC Heliport Open

A state bill threatens to close the heliport permanently
West 30th Street Heliport in Manhattan
Avionics

Hands On: Flying Honeywell’s FMS Guided Visual Approaches

Visual approaches may look easy, but formal guidance is a significant safety enhancement
Honeywell cockpit Simulator
Avionics

Southeast Aero STC Amended for SPZ-equipped Hawker 800s

Upgrade breathes new life into a venerable airframe
Hawker 800 with Collins autopilot
Safety

ACSF Safety Symposium Highlights Risks, Opportunities

The annual gathering was held at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University campus
cockpit
Rotorcraft

Milestone Leasing Two AW169s to Northern Rescue

The two helicopters are the leasing company's first placement in New Zealand
Northern Rescue Helicopter Leonardo AW169 helicopter
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Enidine Showing HIC Damper and UltraLoc Buttons at AIX

The new components offer designers more flexibility and customization
ITT Enidine UltraLoc seat locks
Aircraft

First G700 on U.S. Registry Enters Service with Avjet Global

The backlog of G700s is starting to dwindle as more enter service
Gulfstream G700 business jet
Maintenance and Modifications

First Customer Selects AkzoNobel VR Painting Training

Operators can "see" the quality of their virtual paint application
IAC virtual reality paint training using AkzoNobel equipment
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Thornton Aviation Completes G650 Starlink Installation

The installation took three weeks and was done while the airplane was down for maintenance
Thornton Aviation Starlink satcom installation on Gulfstream G650
Rotorcraft

Bell Testing 429 Helicopter Autonomy Laboratory 

The fly-by-wire Bell 429-based flying lab is capable of autonomous flight
Bell ALFA 429 flying laboratory
Rotorcraft

Legislators Kill Hawaii Air Tour Insurance Bill 

The bill would have required liability insurance of $20 million per person
Moloka'i
Accidents

R44 Crash Final Report Cites Maintenance Errors

Missing hardware led the NTSB to conclude that pilots and maintenance personnel performed "inadequate inspections"
NTSB report R44 helicopter accident
Charter & Fractional

Mx and Personnel Costs Cut Berkshire Hathaway Earnings

The company's aviation revenues grew while earnings dropped
Phenom 300 (Photo: NetJets)
Maintenance and Modifications

Bolen Applauds NBAA Maintenance Conference Success

The event in Portland attracted attendees from 46 states
NBAA Maintenance Conference 2024
Maintenance and Modifications

Maintenance Tech Salaries Growing but Lag Pilots'

Technicians need to be better informed about their worth—and advocate for themselves
NBAA Maintenance Conference maintenance competition
ATC

DOT Inspector General Report Faults FAA NextGen Progress

U.S. NextGen air traffic management may not be as transformational as originally promised
Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General Report
Maintenance and Modifications

Jets MRO Earning Wyvern Wingman Certification

The process begins with an initial audit followed by checks every 24 months
Wyvern Jets MRO partnership
Rotorcraft

Learning To Fly Helicopters in the Guimbal Cabri G2

How a long-time fixed-wing pilot transitions to the rotary-wing world
Guimbal Cabri G2
Maintenance and Modifications

NBAA Business Aircraft Maintenance Conference Opens in Portland

Annual event brings together the aviation maintenance community
Nate Dietsch and Ed Bolen at the 2024 NBAA Maintenance Conference
Safety

AVSS Launches SMS Program To Meet New FAA Regs

Program designed to help operators meet the new rules and also enhance their safety programs
Aviation Safety Solutions classroom
Rotorcraft

China’s GDAT Buying up to 20 Airbus H175 Helicopters

The H175s will be marketed by GDAT Group's newly formed GD Helicopter Finance
Airbus Helicopters H175
FutureFlight

Harbour Air Plans to Electrify Fleet with MagniX Engines

MagniX’s electric propulsion unit is undergoing tests at a NASA facility
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