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
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.
Safety
GPS Interference Issue Back on the Table
The former LightSquared telecom network is accused of GPS interference again, but this time under a new company name, Ligado Networks.
Avionics
Hands-on with the Bose ProFlight Series 2 Headset
Bose's ProFlight Series 2 aviation headset brings lightweight active noise canceling to the business jet and airline market.
Aircraft
Honda Aircraft Bullish on Bizav's Future
Business aviation is facing serious challenges, but there are some bright spots, according to Honda Aircraft.
Safety
APG Acquisition Opens Doors for Future Growth
AFV Partners' purchase of Aircraft Performance Group will open opportunities for technological developments in flight planning and operations.
Avionics
New Garmin Portable Adds Approach Overlays
Garmin's new aera 760 portable GPS navigator adds many avionics-like features in a compact 7-inch display.
Maintenance and Modifications
Maintenance Trainer Adopts Online Learning
Fulcrum Labs and Aviation Institute of Maintenance have partnered to offer more online training for A&P mechanic students.
Maintenance and Modifications
GoDirect Trade Aims To Be Amazon of Aviation Parts
Honeywell's GoDirect Trade e-commerce platform is trying to remove barriers to aviation parts transactions.
Accidents
NTSB Releases Factual Report on Halladay Accident
The NTSB factual report on the fatal crash of baseball player Roy Halladay's Icon A5 found nothing wrong with the airplane.
Pandemic Spurs Massive Aviation Changes
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on aviation is difficult to measure, but clearly enormously significant.
Training and Workforce
FlightSafety’s Recurrent Groundschool Now Online
FlightSafety's LiveLearning online recurrent groundschool will be available for more than 20 helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft models.
