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

Researchers at Purdue University’s Polytechnic Institute are demonstrating a low-cost, solar-powered runway status light system that identifies aircraft near or on runways using computer vision and ADS-B signals. Called Simple, Affordable, Flexible, and Expandable Runway Status Lights (SAFE-RWSL), the system detects landing traffic and aircraft on a runway and illuminates lights at the taxiway entrance to the runway to warn pilots and airport personnel not to enter the runway.
Purdue said SAFE-RWSL is ideally suited for smaller airports because its&nbsp;projected cost is far less than the tens of millions of dollars needed for radar-based runway surveillance systems. “Based on the performed study, the use of simplified runway status lights is expected to be effective at reducing runway incursion risk in nontowered, no-traffic environments when a conflicting aircraft is difficult to see,” said Luigi Dy, a doctoral student at Purdue University’s School of Aviation and Transportation Technology.
Professor John Mott and Dy developed SAFE-RWSL, and the Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization has applied for a patent.
“Small airports generally rely on simple ‘see-and-avoid’ procedures or, in limited cases, air traffic controllers to prevent these incursions,” Mott said. “Without a comprehensive approach that incorporates technology, however, even the most vigilant pilots and air traffic controllers, if available, can’t prevent all potential accidents resulting from encroachments on an active runway by pedestrians, ground vehicles, or other aircraft.”

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Purdue Polytechnic Institute Patenting Low-cost Runway Status Lights 

ADS-B and computer vision enables system to detect landing and on-runway traffic

The system detects landing aircraft and runway traffic and illuminates lights at the taxiway entrance to warn pilots and airport personnel not to enter.

Purdue Polytechnic Patenting Runway Status Lights 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Curt Epstein

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Airport ground vehicles create a memorable holiday light display

Czech Airport Lights Up with Holiday Spirit

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Galesburg Regional Airport will be renamed for a hometown aviation legend

Illinois Airport to Honor Local Aviator, FBO Operator

AmyWilder

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

New operator plans upgrades and eVTOL integration

New Operator, Upgrade for Downtown Manhattan Heliport

KTPF accepts night flights for the first time since September

Tampa GA Airport Now Fully Operational after Storms

Peter Shaw-Smith

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Local company ASM is discussing new aircraft management opportunities

Low-cost Carrier Migration Could Ease Bizav Access in Dubai

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Plan calls for six new general aviation airports

Saudi Arabia Moves on New General Aviation Blueprint

Hanneke Weitering

Flight demonstrations will be held next year in Portugal's capital city

Helibravo Plans UAM Demo Flights at Lisbon Vertiport 

Charles Alcock

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

More In Airports