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
TOP FLIGHT AWARDS NOMINEES: Training
The training arena saw some interesting developments during the past year, especially in light of Covid restrictions.
Avionics
TOP FLIGHT AWARDS NOMINEES: Technology
The Top Flight Awards technology category saw a variety of candidates, from new displays to airborne connectivity and ADS-B efforts.
Avionics
Aerocor Buys BlueMAX Data Transfer Unit
The BlueMAX data transfer unit offers a method to download engine and flight data from compatible avionics.
Avionics
Garmin Pilot 10.3 Mobile App Adds Notam Highlights
Pilots can more easily view airspace and obstacles that might affect their flight path on the new version of the Garmin Pilot app.
Avionics
Avidyne IFD100 App Now Runs in Split-screen
Multitasking allows Avidyne's IFD100 app to run in a split-screen alongside other multitasking-capable apps.
Avionics
RTCA Warns of 5G's Effect on Radar Altimeters
An auction of frequency licenses in the spectrum from 3.7–3.98 GHz could cause significant safety problems for all segments of aviation.
Avionics
Scott IPC Releases Int'l Plotting Chart App
Scott International Procedures has released the Scott Plot ePlotting Chart app to help pilots flying overseas trips.
Maintenance and Modifications
ATP Aviation Hub Now Integrated with Flightdocs
Flightdocs customers can now access their ATP Aviation Hub libraries directly from the Flightdocs platform.
Safety
Traveling During a Pandemic, Part 2
AIN editor-in-chief gets out of the house for a trip to France during the coronavirus pandemic.
Avionics
Avidyne Switching on FOQA for Bizav
Avidyne's new FOQA Flight Data Intelligence program will help pilots spot flying performance issues before they cause problems.
Airlines
New UK Airline Flypop Set To Launch India Service in 2021
A UK government funding program is could help new airline Flypop get off the ground with services to India from late 2021.
Safety
AINsight: Travel in the Time of Coronavirus
Traveling internationally is impossible, or is it? AIN editor-in-chief Matt Thurber gives it a try.
FutureFlight
Jaunt Air Mobility Launches Joint Venture for UAM Support
Jaunt Air Mobility announced a new venture called Access Skyways, which includes Jaunt, PS&S, and Price Systems.
Avionics
Genesys Certifies Black Hawk Avionics Suite
The FAA has approved an STC for a Genesys Aerosystems avionics suite upgrade for the Black Hawk helicopter.
AfBAA Architect Rady Fahmy Passes On
Rady Fahmy, who led a resurgence of the African Business Aviation Association, died on October 16.
Avionics
Garmin Training Goes Online through June 2021
To eliminate coronavirus concerns, Garmin is delivering all pilot training in a virtual format through June 2021.
Aircraft
LAX Sightings Are Likely Not Real Jetpacks
Airline pilots claim to have spotted pilots flying in "jetpacks" at thousands of feet near LAX, but could that be possible?
Avionics
FreeFlight Datalink Offers Dual-band ADS-B
The new Datalink Receivers from FreeFlight Systems will be installable in Part 23 and Part 25 aircraft.
Avionics
Keeping the Pilot in the Loop on Flight to Autonomy
Automation is increasingly a feature of modern aircraft, but what are manufacturers doing to help pilots understand how automation works?
Engines
Rolls-Royce Opens BR725 Virtual Training Hangar
The new virtual reality training for the Rolls-Royce BR725 turbofan gives students a highly realistic view inside the engine.
Garmin Unveils D2 Air Aviation Smartwatch
It has a simpler user interface with just two buttons and an Amoled touchscreen.
Avionics
Skytrac To Make Iridium Certus Terminals
Skytrac Systems is designing new Iridium satcom products that will enable video streaming and other bandwidth-intensive services.
Avionics
Blue Avionics Certifies ILS Deviation Training System
The Blue Avionics BA-540 AAU creates almost unlimited design opportunities to add new avionics functionality.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Reliable Robotics Flies Unmanned Cessnas
Gaining experience with unmanned aircraft should give Reliable Robotics a leg up on the race to bring new technologies to market.
Charter & Fractional
Eco Helicopters Launching Urban Air Mobility Operations
Eco Helicopters is laying plans to launch a fleet of electric-powered helicopters for charter flights in southern California.
Accidents
NTSB Releases Final Report on Earnhardt Jet Accident
The National Transportation Safety Board released the final report on the crash of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Citation Latitude on August 15, 2019.
Avionics
FAA Certifies AV-30-C Multi-mode Instrument
Owners of certified light aircraft can now replace older electromechanical instruments with uAvionix's new AV-30-C multi-mode instrument.
Avionics
Universal Launches Kapture CVR/FDR Line
New Kapture cockpit voice and flight data recorders from Universal Avionics will save operators time and money.
Avionics
Avidyne Obtains First Part 25 STC for IFD540 FMS
Avidyne's IFD540 FMS can be installed in the Citation Excel/XLS under a new STC.
Avionics
AFV Adds Another Company to Aviation Stable
AFV Partners' purchase of Seattle Avionics signals a new level of competition in the aviation chart data market.
