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

Icon Aircraft sent a letter before the holidays to notify owners of its composite A5 amphibious light sport airplane that president Jason Huang was relinquishing his post and that Lily Hu is the new president of the company.&nbsp;
In April, Icon Aircraft filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and said it began a “strategic restructuring process.” The company announced that it “intends to pursue a sale of its business under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code while continuing to support its customers and operations during the Chapter 11 process.”
In the letter, Icon said that as part of a “strategic transformation in its manufacturing operations,” it “will be transitioning a portion of its manufacturing to a new, state-of-the-art facility in China.” The company will also maintain a presence at its Vacaville, California headquarters.&nbsp;
“Our management team remains fully committed to Icon’s mission of revolutionizing personal aviation. We are taking every step to ensure operations run smoothly throughout this transition to minimize any disruption for our customers.&nbsp; Icon’s move to a new facility, coupled with advanced tooling and automation, represents a pivotal moment in our history. By continuing to embrace innovation and invest in modern infrastructure, we will be positioned to meet the challenges of an evolving market.”
The A5 is available in a light sport version or as an FAA-certified model for export.

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

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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