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

Cirrus Aircraft is expanding its services business with a new flight training facility at Scottsdale Airport in Arizona, where it will offer pilot training and full-service aircraft management starting in October. The company also opened two Cirrus Aircraft Innovation Centers—in Chandler, Arizona, and McKinney, Texas.

 


The innovation centers support the new product development team that is “responsible for advancing new technologies and designs for innovative product introductions,” according to Cirrus. The Chandler center focuses on avionics, electrical, and software, while all engineering disciplines are supported at the McKinney facility.

 


Scottsdale joins Cirrus's other training centers in Knoxville, Tennessee, which offers SR series and Vision Jet type rating training, and McKinney, which provides training and aircraft management services, as well as Dallas Fort Worth.

 


“The Chandler and McKinney Innovation Centers add significant capabilities and further extend our capacity to fuel our ambitious product innovation plans,” said Pat Waddick, Cirrus's president of&nbsp;innovation and operations. “Additionally, our expansion efforts not only attract new talent to Cirrus Aircraft in great locations but generate jobs and economic growth within the local markets.”

 


Cirrus is recruiting new employees to support the expansion and at all of its other facilities, including Knoxville and the Duluth, Minnesota, and Grand Forks, North Dakota manufacturing centers.

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.

Cirrus Opens Training, Innovation Centers

Cirrus Aircraft's growing business has lead to expansion of its flight training, management, and engineering capabilities.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Hanneke Weitering

Oita's local government partners with SkyDrive and Kyushu Railway Company

Japan’s Oita Prefecture Plans Integrated eVTOL and Rail Services

Kerry Lynch

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.

Shipments increased by eight aircraft to 146 in 2024

Bombardier Deliveries, Services Up in 2024

Montreal airframer believes impact of tariffs would be felt equally across the U.S. and Canadian border

With Tariff Uncertainty, Bombardier Defers 2025 Guidance

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

The order is the largest in the history of both companies.

Flexjet Inks $7B Order for Embraer Business Jets

Charles Alcock

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

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 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.

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Montreal airframer believes impact of tariffs would be felt equally across the U.S. and Canadian border

Flexjet Inks $7B Order for Embraer Business Jets

The order is the largest in the history of both companies.

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Flexjet Inks $7B Order for Embraer Business Jets

Deliveries will start in 2026 and will greatly enlarge Flexjet’s fleet

Canada Gets Its First SkyCourier from Textron Aviation

The utility twin turboprop will be used as a cargo hauler in the Ontario region

Tariffs Raising Uncertainty for Aviation Industry

Plans for tariffs follow through on campaign pledge but are evolving

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