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
Avionics
Time Running Out on Old Laserefs
Operators of older business jets will need to plan on upgrading their Laseref inertial reference systems.
Avionics
Garmin G1000 NXi Approved for Embraer Phenom 300
The G1000 NXi upgrade is now available for installation in the Embraer Phenom 300.
Training and Workforce
FlightAware Live Traffic Feeds Microsoft’s New Sim
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 will include real-time live traffic from all over the world, provided by FlightAware.
Avionics
Garmin GI 275 Displays Approved for Helicopters
Helicopter operators can now install Garmin's GI 275 electronic flight instruments.
Avionics
Legacy Universal FMSs Face Obsolescence
Business jets equipped with legacy Universal Avionics FMSs will need upgrades due to parts obsolescence issues.
Training and Workforce
Desktop Simulators Shine During Pandemic
For pilots stuck without the ability to stay current by flying, desktop simulation offers are potent alternative.
Training and Workforce
FlightSafety Mixes Reality in New Simulator
FlightSafety's new mixed-reality training devices will expand pilot training opportunities and help lower training costs.
Aircraft
FAA and Boeing Begin Max Flight Testing
Flight testing of the 737 Max has resumed, a major step toward recertification of the narrow-body airliner.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Gogo Sees Bizav Usage Back to Near-normal
Customers of Gogo Business Aviation are coming back with new equipment installations and resumption of service levels.
Accidents
NTSB Cites Crew, Inop Brakes in Fatal Falcon 50 Overrun
The crash of a Falcon 50 in 2018 turned out to involve an illegal charter, although the NTSB did not take that into account.
Aircraft
Tom Casey Finally Flies West
Tom Casey was never officially recognized for his record-breaking round-the-world seaplane flight in 1990.
Avionics
Vu Systems Completes Development Testing
Vu Systems is working with avionics and aircraft manufacturers and airlines on certification of its Vu Cube passive millimeter wave sensor.
Accidents
AAIB Releases Preliminary Report on PK8303 A320 Crash
For unknown reasons, the pilots of Pakistan International Airlines Flight PK8303 took off after landing with the gear retracted.
Safety
Daher Expands TBM App Safety Features
Daher has released Version 4 of its Me & My TBM app, and pilots can now get full reports on their flight via email.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Honeywell Develops A/C System for Future Flyers
Honeywell's new MicroVCS offers lower maintenance and reduced weight for electric aircraft air-conditioning needs.
Training and Workforce
NetJets Adopts Advanced Qualification Training Program
NetJets is the first charter provider and fractional-share operation to work with the FAA to launch an AQP.
Safety
Ergo 360 App Adds Flight Plan Integration
Knowing the location of shipping traffic when flying over the ocean could greatly increase the odds of survival in an emergency situation.
Charter & Fractional
TailHail Brokerage Takes on the Charter Industry
Charter brokerage TailHail aims to sell memberships and help bring more people into charter flying.
Avionics
Hilton Software Wins New Government Contract
A new $4 million contract with the U.S. government makes Hilton Software a prime contractor for two government agencies.
Avionics
Garmin Pilot App Adds Night Mode, Other New Features
Garmin Pilot version 10.1 adds night mode for approach charts, improved document viewer, and support for the Apple Pencil 2.
Avionics
Appareo Adds Conexus Connectivity Collection
Appareo's new Conexus Aircraft Communication Units will help operators and manufacturers collect flight monitoring data.
Avionics
Coalition Concerned About Radio Altimeter Interference
An aviation industry coalition is concerned that a recent FCC decision will cause interference with radar altimeters.
Safety
Starr Offers Usage-based Insurance Pricing
By sharing flight records with Starr Insurance, pilots can obtain discounts on aircraft rental insurance.
Avionics
ForeFlight App Adds Multitasking
With iOS multitasking, ForeFlight adds new utility to its electronic flight bag app.
Safety
Online Audits Offer Pandemic-era Solution
When the coronavirus pandemic shut down most travel, business aviation safety experts had to figure out a new way to conduct audits.
Safety
Opinion: Autonomous Genav Flight Not Far Away
Does Garmin's Autoland system mean that fully autonomous general aviation flying is next?
Maintenance and Modifications
Bluetail Launches Business Aircraft Record Digitization Platform
Bluetail's new service is aimed at helping business aircraft owners and operators manage records efficiently.
Safety
ADS-B Data Tapped for Turbulence Tips
Researchers are devising ways to tap ADS-B information to refine turbulence-detection algorithms.
Avionics
Garmin Autoland Certified in Piper M600
Garmin's Autoland technology has been certified in the Piper M600, the first time such a system has ever received FAA certification.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Collins Adopts Creative Cabin Management System Testing
When the pandemic shut down travel, Collins Aerospace figured out a way to conduct customer CMS testing remotely.
