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&amp;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.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

The Learjet 85, the first all-composite Part 25 business jet, remains on track for certification and entry into service next year, according to Bombardier. “Four test aircraft are in various stages of production,” the company noted, and shipment of the first pressure vessel from Bombardier’s factory in Querétaro, Mexico, to the final-assembly plant in Wichita was imminent (in mid-July). At the Querétaro factory, technicians completed construction of the first Learjet 85’s wing internal structure and the wing was moved to the final-assembly position for installation of the wing plank. A second wing structure is being assembled and will be used for static structural testing.
“As we push farther along our development road map, the teams across all of our Learjet facilities and manufacturing plants are truly excited by the solid progress being made toward the maiden flight of the Learjet 85,” said Ralph Acs, Learjet vice president and general manager. “Our suppliers continue to keep up with our rigorous schedules as we work with our strategic partners across our aircraft programs. The final assembly line in Wichita is ready, and we are eager to assemble the first aircraft,” he added.
The Learjet 85 also features a Bombardier Vision flight deck. The avionics in the Learjet 85, however, are a Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion system with three 15-inch displays, synthetic vision system and inertial reference system. Powered by two 6,100-pound-thrust Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada PW307Bs, the Learjet 85 will fly up to 3,000 nm and deliver a Mach .82 high-speed cruise. Lufthansa Technik is developing the cabin management system.

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