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
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.
Aircraft
Blackfly Flies at AirVenture Show Center
The flight of Opener's Blackfly eVTOL aircraft added a new twist to the EAA. AirVenture airshow lineup.
Aircraft
SkyCourier Makes Public Debut at AirVenture
The size of the Cessna SkyCourier impressed curious onlookers during its brief visit to EAA AirVenture 2021.
Aircraft
Icon Bringing Certified A5 to GA Market
Icon Aircraft plans later this year to achieve FAA Part 23 certification of its A5 amphibious airplane, in the primary category.
Avionics
Avidyne Unveils Touchscreen Vantage Displays
Avidyne's new 12-inch Vantage displays feature touchscreen technology, higher resolution, and faster processors.
Avionics
Smart Glide Guides Stricken Airplane to Suitable Airport
Garmin's new Smart Glide system automatically guides an airplane suffering engine failure to an airport within gliding distance.
Avionics
Garmin Pilot Adds More Graphical Notam Features
Garmin Pilot version 10.5 helps pilots view graphical depictions of closed airports and runways.
Avionics
Garmin Autopilot Certified in Bell 505
The Bell 505 is the second helicopter model to be certified for installation of Garmin's GFC 600H helicopter flight control system.
Aircraft
Surf Air Mobility Bets Big on Hybrid-electric Caravan
Surf Air Mobility plans to STC an electric-hybrid powertrain for its newly ordered fleet of Cessna Grand Caravan EXs.
Aircraft
Honda Aircraft Delivers First HondaJet Elite S
First delivery of the HondaJet Elite S went to an undisclosed customer.
Training and Workforce
FAA Approves RealSimGear Simulator as BATD
The basic aviation training device approval for RealSimGear flight simulators opens opportunities for pilots to train and stay current.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
FCC Certifies SmartSky Tower Radiohead
The tower radiohead certification by the FCC is another milestone toward SmartSky's commercial service launch later this year.
Avionics
ForeFlight Releases Holding Pattern Advisor
ForeFlight Version 13.5 adds some useful new features, including a Hold Advisor and an easier way to see approach minimums.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
MyGoFlight Designs 'Never Obsolete' USB Charger
The new MyGoFlight USB charger simplifies upgrades when connector types change.
Avionics
Garmin Adds STC for PC-12 GFC 600 Autopilot
The GFC 600 digital autopilot STC for PC-12s adds many new capabilities, including electronic stability and protection.
Safety
ADS Apps Aid SMS Needs with Flex Pricing
Aeronautical Data Systems’ Ergo resource-management iPad apps are upgraded and now available with flexible pricing.
Avionics
Back in the Live Show Saddle
The aviation industry seems closer to normal after I attended my first in-person event since the coronavirus pandemic started in early 2020.
Avionics
AEA Show Celebrates Returning to Normal
This year's Aircraft Electronics Association convention bodes well for other events this year, with high numbers of attendees and exhibitors.
Avionics
Appareo Debuts AIRS-400 4K Image Recorder
Appareo's new AIRS-400 image recorder enables operators to implement FDM and FOQA programs.
Avionics
Mid-Continent Introduces TSO’d Chronos Clocks
Mid-Continent's new Chronos clocks combine features such as USB power, time, timer, volts, and temperature.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Send Solutions Unveils Tablet Bulkhead Mounts
The new bulkhead mounts from Send Solutions are designed to use iPads as moving-map displays in business aircraft cabins.
