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
Rotorcraft
Van Horn Aviation Makes Paris Debut
Van Horn's composite rotor blades last longer and are more durable than metal blades.
Aircraft
Eviation's Alice To Fly This Year
The all-electric Eviation Alice regional airliner is nearly ready for first flight, planned for later this year.
Aircraft
Rolls-Royce Buying Siemens eAircraft Business
Rolls-Royce is buying the eAircraft business that Siemens launched to develop and manufacture electric power technology.
Avionics
Airbus Picks Thales FlytX Suite for H160M
The new Thales FlytX avionics suite combines touchscreen technology with artificial intelligence helping pilots fly more efficiently.
Avionics
Avionica's New Terminal Makes Dual-dissimilar Satcom Possible
Avionica is introducing a new SwiftBroadband satcom terminal, as well as an STC for new cybersecurity features.
Avionics
ACSS SafeRoute+ Brings ADS-B In Benefits to Airlines
The latest version of ACSS's SafeRoute software offers new functionality on flight deck displays.
Avionics
Universal Avionics Presents New Way To FMS
A new software-based FMS from Universal Avionics promises to simplify avionics design and improve the user interface.
Avionics
FAA Advises Operators on Flight Plans Without GPS
The FAA is reminding pilots that flight plans must accurately reflect the current equipment available on the aircraft.
Avionics
Pilots, OEMs Dealing with Collins GPS Issue
The Collins GPS outage is disrupting operations of aircraft equipped with certain GPS receivers, but it may be resolved soon.
Avionics
Collins GPS Receivers Suffer Reception Outage
GPS problems have occurred in some aircraft equipped with Collins Aerospace GPS receivers.
NetJets: Behind the Fractional-share Curtain
A recent tour provided a look at the fractional giant as NetJets owners experience it.
Aircraft
Bye and BlackBird Agree on Electric Airplane Buy
BlackBird Air believes that electric airplanes will help lower barriers to entry for general aviation travelers.
Avionics
ForeFlight Adds Takeoff/Landing Performance
ForeFlight's new runway performance feature will encourage pilots to calcuate performance more often.
Safety
DEF Contamination Downs Two Citations
Yet another incident of diesel exhaust fluid contamination nearly caused two Citation 550s to crash.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Flying with ViaSat Ka-band Satcom
The author experiences a flight in an Embraer Praetor 600 equipped with ViaSat's new Ka-band Satcom.
Avionics
Universal Avionics Sees Growing Upgrade Activity
Avionics Manufacturer Universal Avionics anticipates growing European interest in new navigation equipment.
Maintenance and Modifications
Textron Aviation Recommends Flightdocs
Flightdocs and Textron Aviation are offering a free year of service to buyers of factory-new and preowned business aircraft.
Airports
Jersey’s Tower Backed by Remote Tower System
Frequentis technology was employed in Jersey Airport's new contingency remote tower system.
Charter & Fractional
Bellawings Orders More Global 7500s
Hong Kong-based Bellawings Jet says it will be the largest operator of the Global 7500.
Fuel
Sustainable Fuel Powers Flights to Geneva
While demand for sustainable alternative jet fuel is tiny now, publicity about the benefits will help promote its use.
Avionics
Collins Touchscreens Proliferating in Flight Decks
EASA certification has been granted for the Collins Pro Line Fusion upgrade in the Citation CJ3, and is expected soon for the Challenger 604.
Avionics
FlightAware Highlights Flight-tracking in Europe
There are many benefits available to Europe-based flight-tracking customers, according to FlightAware.
Avionics
Europe ADS-B Mandate Coming June 2020
About 1,000 turbine business aircraft meet the upcoming European ADS-B mandate thus far.
Avionics
Avidyne IFD Update Allows Pro Line 21 Interface
Owners of legacy turbine airplanes can add LPV approach capability by tapping Avidyne's new GLAS IFD features.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Pilatus Adds Gogo L3 as PC-12 NG Option
The PC-12 NG now offers high-speed airborne connectivity via Gogo Business Aviation's Avance L3 system.
Avionics
IS&S Autothrottle Certified in King Air
The ThrustSense Autothrottle system developed by Innovative Solutions & Support is now available for King Air turboprops.
Avionics
Garmin Adds Features to King Air Flight Deck
A new software upgrade and optional hardware add new capabilities to Garmin's G1000 NXi suite in King Airs.
Safety
FAA Issues Venezuela Emergency Order
All flight operations of U.S. aircraft are prohibited in Venezuela airspace, except those above FL260.
Avionics
Universal Avionics to STC Wearable HUD in A320
China's HUD mandate could open a vast market for the Universal Avionics A320 STC for the SkyLens wearable HUD.
Aircraft
Falcon 8X Sets SMO-TEB Speed Record
After taking off from Santa Monica's short 3,500-foot runway, a Falcon 8X broke a speed record flying to Teterboro.
