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

Transport Canada Civil Aviation has awarded type certification to Textron Aviation’s Cessna SkyCourier utility twin-turbopop. The company expects to deliver the first SkyCourier in Canada this year to Air Bravo, an Ontario-based passenger, cargo, and air ambulance charter operator with facilities in Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Barrie, and Meaford.
Powered by two Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada PT6A-65SC turboprop engines, the SkyCourier is flown by a single pilot and cruises at more than 200 knots with a maximum range of 900 nm. Avionics is a Garmin G1000 NXi suite. The freighter version, which Air Bravo has purchased, can carry three LD3 shipping containers, and the airplane has a maximum payload capability of 6,000 pounds. Freight is loaded through a large cargo door.
The SkyCourier received FAA certification in 2022 and is available in freighter or passenger versions or a combi configuration for carrying both. A gravel kit is available for unpaved runways.
“The SkyCourier’s outstanding performance will be a game-changer for our customers across Canada,” said Lannie O’Bannion, Textron Aviation's senior v-p of global sales and flight operations.&nbsp;“The maximum flexibility and low operating costs of this aircraft make it an excellent choice for a wide range of missions throughout the region.”

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.

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News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

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.

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Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

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Cessna SkyCourier 408

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