Matt Thurber
Editor-in-Chief

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&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.

Latest from Matt Thurber

Engines

Billion-dollar Settlement Ends Honeywell, Flexjet Fight

Agreement also extends the fractional-share operator’s maintenance service plan
Flexjet's new headquarters and control center at KCGF
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Sporty’s Adds Flight Gear Starlink Mini Mounting System

Device can accommodate up to 8.5 pounds and windows from 13 to 19.5 inches
Sporty's Starlink Mini antenna mount
Maintenance and Modifications

Citadel Completions Expands, Rebrands as Citadel Aviation

Company expands into full-service completions, refurbishment, and maintenance provider
Connor Wiesant and Greg Colgan, Citadel Aviation
Maintenance and Modifications

Elliott Aviation Marks 90 Years with Founder’s Award

Winner of the first award is 27-year employee Paul Schmidt
Paul Schmidt and Elliott Aviation president Michael Parrish
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Yingling Achieves 100th Alto GV/G550 Installation

System adds high-fidelity sound tuned to each aircraft
Yingling Alto G550 Installation
Maintenance and Modifications

Blackhawk STCs 5-blade Prop on XP67 Engine+ Upgrade

Composite propellers provide a quieter cabin and less exterior noise
Blackhawk XP67A Engine+ upgrade to the King Air 350
Rotorcraft

Asia-Pacific Helo Operators Focus on Fleet Harmonization

Concludes that mature markets rely on buying preowned aircraft
Composition of APAC turbine helicopter fleet
Security

FAA Issues Central America ‘Hazardous Situation’ Notams

Warns of security issues including GPS jamming and spoofing
Regions affected by FAA notams in Central America
Avionics

Private-equity Buy Leads to Layoffs at Jepp ForeFlight

Boeing sold its digital business to investor Thoma Bravo for $10.55 billion
ForeFlight image
Maintenance and Modifications

DRF Maintenance Expands Helo Maintenance at Straubing

Facility specializes in work on aeromedical helicopters
DRF Maintenance Straubing
Aircraft

Cirrus Reveals 2026 SR Series Piston Single Features

Avionics, cabin, and paint and design upgrades are this year’s enhancements
Cirrus SR22
Maintenance and Modifications

Airwolf Adds Japan STCs for Lithium-ion Batteries

Covers a variety of popular rotorcraft models from Airbus, Bell, Enstrom, and MD
True Blue Power lithium-ion battery in Airbus H125 helicopter
Charter & Fractional

Jet It Fractional Provider Files Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Company launched operations in 2018 and operated 21 HondaJets
Jet It exhibit at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021
Safety

Researchers Tackle Fatigue In The Flight Deck

Pilot State Monitoring system monitors for sleep or drowsiness and issues alerts
Pilot sleep studies
Regulations and Government

Argentina Improves General Aviation Flying Freedom

Eliminates ban on VFR night flying, allows single-pilot Part 135 with autopilot
Argentina aviation
Regulations and Government

‘Darrin’s Law’ Aims To Limit Tribal Airplane Taking

Emergency landing raised issue of Red Lake Nation's claims over reservation airspace
Engines

Honeywell Reveals Possible $470M Flexjet Lawsuit Cost

Complaint was filed in 2023 and alleged breach of engine maintenance agreement
Flexjet Embraer Praetor 600 business jet
FBOs

OpsGroup Special Events Tracker Outlines Upcoming Fees

Travelers to airports near major events can’t avoid the high costs involved
Moffett Field Airport
Maintenance and Modifications

AAR and Collins Extend Deicing Distribution Agreement

MRO provider serves general aviation, commercial aviation, and defense customers
Goodrich de-ice boot on airplane wing
Rotorcraft

Linfox Places First Airbus H160 Order in Australia

Company plans to use the new helicopter for passenger transportation
Airbus H160 helicopter
Maintenance and Modifications

ExecuJet Malaysia Adds Falcon 7X to Mx Capabilities

EASA and FAA approval also adds non-destructive testing capabilities
ExecuJet MRO Services Malaysia
Rotorcraft

Thales/StandardAero StableLight Autopilot Targets AStar

First 4-axis system designed for light helicopters
Rotorcraft

ASG Helicopter Flying First AW189 in Central Asia

Azerbaijan-based operator using the aircraft for offshore services
Leonardo AW189 helicopter
Maintenance and Modifications

Twenty-five West Star Graduates Qualify for A&P Tests

In-house academy is helping relieve the shortage of aircraft maintenance technicians
West Star Aviation Academy
Aircraft

N11000 Marks Delivery of the 11,000th Cirrus SR Series

First generation, all-composite aircraft entered service in 1999
Cirrus SR22T
Safety

Garmin Autoland Logs First In-service Activation

Pressurization problem led to engagement of emergency descent mode
Buffalo River Aviation King Air B200 N479BR
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Bombardier Equipping Jets with Secure Smart Router

New and select existing jets can qualify for modern cabin communications device
Bombardier Smart Router for business jets
Aircraft

FAA Certifies Bombardier’s Ultra-long-range Global 8000

Approval clears the way for deliveries to U.S. customers
Bombardier Global 8000 business jet
Regulations and Government

AOPA Asks U.S. Government To Help Recover Seized Airplane

Engine failure over the tribe's land resulted in an emergency landing on a public highway
Maintenance and Modifications

Honda Adds Upgrades to Latest HondaJet Configuration

Modification package available for classic and APMG owners
HondaJet