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

A Canadair CL-415 aerial firefighter collided with a drone while flying over the Palisades fire near Los Angeles yesterday, according to the County of Los Angeles Fire Department (LACoFD). In a post on X, LACoFD said “SuperScooper Quebec 1 was struck by a civilian drone that was not assigned to the Palisades fire.”
One of the airplane’s wing leading edges showed a deep indentation and cut metal in the photo attached to the X post, and Quebec 1 “was taken out of service,” according to LACoFD. The agency added that “flying a drone in the midst of firefighting efforts is a federal crime and punishable by up to 12 months in prison or a fine of $75,000.”
Two Quebec government-owned CL-415s were dispatched to help manage the devastating fires in the Los Angeles area, which have killed 10 people and destroyed thousands of homes and buildings.
The twin-turboprop CL-415 has a tank capacity of more than 1,600 gallons and can refill during a scooping water run in just 12 seconds. The type certificate for the CL-415 is now held by De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, which continues supporting and upgrading the aircraft.

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

LACoFD Reports Midair Collision between Drone and Super Scooper Aircraft

Damage to a wing leading edge grounded the CL-415 water bomber

“SuperScooper Quebec 1 was struck by a civilian drone that was not assigned to the Palisades fire," according to the County of Los Angeles Fire Department.

Civil Drone Causes Midair Collision with Super Scooper

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Neelam Mathews

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

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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.

Hindustan Aeronautics is working on type certification of civil variant of rotorcraft

Investigators Probe Coast Guard Dhruv Helicopter Crash

Gordon Gilbert

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.

Non-U.S. turboprop accidents stayed unchanged but fatalities increased

Business Jet Accident Fatalities Drop Nearly 35% in 2024

David Jack Kenny

Preliminary and final accident reports, January 2025

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: January 2025

AmyWilder

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.

Business owner, family members, and colleague were onboard

Cheyenne Crash in Brazil Kills All Onboard, Injures 17

Hawker crew did not respond to controller’s orders

NTSB Prelim Points To Distraction in Bizjet Collision

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 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.

 Failure to heed advisories, pilot-induced oscillations led to fatality

NTSB: Crew Errors Led to Fatal Injury Onboard Challenger

Preliminary and final accident reports, December 2024

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: December 2024

Charles Alcock

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News and information about crew, passenger, aircraft and airport security issues.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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