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

Rotorcraft

Bell Celebrates 6,000th Helicopter Made in Mirabel

Ceremony included delivery of two Subaru Bell 412EPXs
Bell Textron 6000th helicopter made in Mirabel, Canada
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Viasat JetXP Satcom Sees Strong Uptake Since ‘24 Launch

Broadband service operates on geostationary orbit satellite network
Viasat JetXP satellite communications
Rotorcraft

Loft Dynamics VR Sim Approved for Type Rating Program

Training includes flights in simulator and in the real AS350B3e helicopter
Loft Dynamics VR flight simulator at Airbus Helicopters headquarters
Avionics

Joint Effort To Field Iridium-based GNSS-Denied Solution

System takes advantage of low-earth-orbit satellites’ stronger signals
NAL Research
Maintenance and Modifications

Spaes Adds Pulse Lights to Airbus AS332 Helicopter

Modification improves visibility of the helicopter during firefighting operations
Pulse lights modification on Airbus AS332 helicopter
Rotorcraft

Greece Buying Airbus H215s for Firefighting Operations

Super Puma can drop more than four tonnes of water at a time
Airbus Helicopters H215 Super Puma helicopter
Safety

Eclipse Owners and Aerocor Launch FOQA Analysis Program

Capturing flight data to improve pilot performance should help with insurance coverage
Eclipse 500 jet
Maintenance and Modifications

Gama Aviation Adds Full-service Mx for Citation XL/XLS

Expands company’s capabilities under Textron Aviation authorization
Cessna Citation 560 XLS business jet
Accidents

AINsight: It’s Time To Put Video Recorders in Cockpits

More data is needed, and there’s only one way to get it
Eye in the Sky
Aircraft

Pilot Report: An Epic Epic E1000 GX

The high-performance turboprop goes fast and is a pleasure to fly
Epic E1000 turboprop
Safety

Notams, Finally Getting Fixed?

Efforts seem to be accelerating to overhaul this critical safety information system
Near-collision at San Francisco International Airport
Operations

Garmin Pilot Now Available as Flight Planning Website

Web version offers free route planning for non-subscribers
Garmin Pilot Web aeronautical layer
Rotorcraft

Bristow, Sikorsky Sign S-92 Enhanced Support Agreement

Coverage supports more than 60 helicopters in SAR and offshore energy operations
Bristow Sikorsky S-92 helicopters
Rotorcraft

Bell’s First 505 Sale to Netherlands Goes to Verdegro

Company will use the helicopter for business travel in Europe
Bell 505 helicopter sale to Verdegro Group
Training and Workforce

Textron Aviation Opens $40M Career & Learning Center

Facility has four zones for applicants, new hires, trainees, and students
Textron Aviation Career & Learning Center, Wichita, Kansas
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Avionics Networks Offers Aircraft Starlink Mini Kits

Carry-on communications system doesn't require permanent installation
Avionics Networks PIlot Kit for Starlink
Safety

FAA Sees Results from Targeting Hotspot Airports

Acting FAA Administrator Rocheleau highlighted areas that still need work
FAA Acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Heico Buy of Rosen Aviation Is Company’s 4th This Year

Products primarily serve business aviation aftermarket and OEMs of VVIP aircraft
Rosen Aviation digital windows and skylights
Maintenance and Modifications

Gama Aviation’s Staverton Base Adds H145 Mx Approval

Facility joins company’s maintenance operations in Norwich and Glasgow
Gama Aviation Staverton H145 helicopter maintenance
Training and Workforce

HondaJet Pilots Association Presents Excursion Solution

P3 program aims to help pilots adhere to proper landing procedures
HondaJet overrun in Coos Bay, Oregon
Operations

Thoma Bravo Buying Boeing Digital Aviation Solutions

Deal includes Jeppesen, ForeFlight, AerData, and OzRunways
Elrey Jeppesen
Operations

Bristow Poised to Start Electric Aircraft Operations in Norway

Helicopter operator will begin flying a Beta Alia electric aircraft in Norway in August
Beta Technologies Alia CX300 electric aircraft
Engines

MagniX Electric Aircraft Engine Notches Key Milestones

After five years, Harbour Air's eBeaver is about to achieve its 100th flight
Harbour Air eBeaver at Oshkosh
Accidents

HondaJets Experience Runway Overruns in Oregon, Florida

No fatalities in either accident, but injuries occurred when one went into the water
HondaJet overrun in Coos Bay, Oregon
Accidents

Bell LongRanger Crashes into Hudson River, Killing Six

Main rotor blades and the tail boom appeared to have separated from the aircraft while in flight
Bell 206 crash
Maintenance and Modifications

Bluetail Fleet Surfaces Data from Aircraft Records  

New feature makes it easier to organize, access, and manage information
Bluetail Fleet compliance dashboard
Rotorcraft

Settlement Reached in Hansen Helicopters Case

Agreement enjoins civil defendants from illegal activities for which Hansen was convicted
Hansen Helicopters
Maintenance and Modifications

FAA Approves SkyWay Mustang Cabin Door SkyStep Upgrade

New door step is more robust and sleeker looking than the original
SkyStep cabin door step upgrade for Cessna Citation Mustang
Aircraft

First Dassault Falcon 10X Taking Shape in Mérignac

Entry into service is planned by the end of 2027
Falcon 10X assembly at Dassault's Bordeaux-Mérignac factory
Maintenance and Modifications

Victor Sierra Buys MRO and PMA Provider Av8 Group

Deal expands parent company’s access to business and regional aviation markets
AV8 Embraer Phenom landing gear overhaul