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
King Airs To Get Tamarack Winglet Treatment
Tamarack Aerospace has picked the Beechcraft King Air 200 and 300 series as the next candidate for its active winglet modification.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
SmartSky Poised To Start Airborne Internet Service
As SmartSky nears completion of its air-to-ground network, the company is developing additional STCs for airborne equipment installation.
Aircraft
Falcon 6X Flying Towards Service Entry Next Year
Production is well underway of the Falcon 6X "ultra widebody" twin-engine jet, in preparation for entry into service in 2022.
Aircraft
Honda Aircraft Advances Paint Technology and Options
The HondaJet Elite S brings new options for paint color and schemes to Honda Aircraft customers.
Environment
SAF and Carbon Credits Provide Path to Sustainable Bizav Ops
With demands rising for sustainability and decarbonization across aviation, bizav needs to do its part to lower its environmental footprint.
Aircraft
Dassault Falcon 10X On Track for 2025 Service Entry
Dassault's Falcon 10X has many new features, including composite wings, a T-tail, touchscreen avionics, Smart Throttle, and Rolls-Royce Pearl engines.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Rosen Adds Larger OLED Displays, Partners with Devialet
Rosen Aviation's partnership with Devialet will open new opportunities for business jet owners to upgrade their audio systems.
Avionics
Hands On: Cessna Citation XLS with Garmin G5000 Avionics
The G5000 avionics upgrade for the Citation Excel/XLS turns older versions of this jet into a modern airplane.
Avionics
Honeywell Sings New Tune with Anthem Avionics
Honeywell has unveiled its next-generation avionics platform—Anthem—the first “cloud-connected” avionics suite designed to serve all aviation segments.
Aircraft
Avolon Orders 30 IAI A330-300 Cargo Conversions
IAI and Avolon have signed an agreement for conversion of 30 Airbus A330-300s from passenger-to-freighter configuration.
Aircraft
Advanced Air Mobility Sector Debuts at NBAA-BACE
At the NBAA-BACE dedicated AAM & Emerging Technologies Zone, advanced air mobility exhibitors will be promoting their futuristic aircraft.
Accidents
NTSB Releases Prelim on Connecticut Citation Crash
The NTSB found that the parking brake handle and the valve it controlled were in the set position in the crash of a Citation 560XL.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Full Line of Viasat Satcoms Now Available from Collins
Collins Aerospace has added Viasat's Ka-band satcom to its value-added reseller offerings.
Environment
SAF is Key for Reducing Carbon Emissions
Sustainable aviation fuel is slowly but surely making inroads in business aviation.
Environment
Clay Lacy Aviation Offers Sustainability Case Study
The Clay Lacy Aviation sustainability plan is paying dividends after two years of effort.
Avionics
Garmin Certifies Smart Rudder Bias in Cessna 414A
Garmin has received FAA approval for Smart Rudder Bias in the Cessna 414A and for the GFC 600 autopilot in the Piper Meridian.
Avionics
Hands On: Garmin GFC 600H in Bell 505
Garmin's GFC 600H helicopter flight control system has been certified in the Bell 505, the company's second rotorcraft application for the system.
Training and Workforce
RedTail Flight Academy Opens at Stewart Airport
Wheels Up has partnered with RedTail Flight Academy to offer internships to graduates of the academy's commercial pilot training program.
Avionics
IS&S Autothrottle Gains EASA, Transport Canada Nods
Innovative Solutions & Support is expanding the overseas markets for its ThrustSense autothrottle system.
Aircraft
SE Asia Buyer Orders Two JB12 JetPacks
JetPack Aviation's manned VTOL flying machines are gaining new ground with the sale of two JB12s to a Southeast Asian customer.
Safety
Dassault Picks 10X for First Falcon Smart Throttle Platform
After testing the Smart Throttle on the Falcon 7X, Dassault has selected the 10X as the first that will be equipped with the new safety technology.
Aircraft
Cirrus Opens Training, Innovation Centers
Cirrus Aircraft's growing business has lead to expansion of its flight training, management, and engineering capabilities.
Aircraft
Hands On: Cirrus G2+ Vision Jet
Cirrus continues to improve its single-engine jet, now called the G2+ Vision Jet.
Avionics
Honeywell and InfiniDome Tackle GPS Jamming
Honeywell and InfiniDome are developing anti-GPS jamming technology for urban air mobility and military vehicles.
Training and Workforce
Redbird Pro Gives Pilots Proficiency Score
The new Redbird Pro App uses machine learning to customize a pilot's proficiency training program.
FutureFlight
How Ampaire Is Building Its Hybrid-electric Aircraft Strategy
The ambitious plans for California-based Ampaire include fielding a fleet of hybrid-electric-converted Cessna Grand Caravan utility aircraft.
Aircraft
Piper Certifies GWX 8000 Radar in M-class Singles
Buyers of Piper's M-series single-engine aircraft can now add the optional Garmin GWX 8000 digital radar.
Safety
FlightAware Offers Aviator Personal Flight Tracking
General aviation pilots can access the same tracking information as business jet and airline operations with the new FlightAware Aviator service.
Aircraft
AINsight: By Gosh, It’s Oshkosh!
The first EAA AirVenture Oshkosh show since the last one in 2019 attracted huge crowds and record-breaking numbers of aircraft.
Engines
GAMI Gains FAA STC for High-octane Unleaded Avgas
An unleaded replacement for leaded 100LL avgas is on the short-term horizon and may solve a difficult problem for general aviation.
