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

Regulations and Government

Notams Prohibit Nonscheduled Ops at 12 U.S. Airports

Ban is expected to end as soon as the government shutdown is over
Seattle-Tacoma notam
Airports

Archer Aviation To Take Over Socal’s Hawthorne Airport

eVTOL aircraft developer holds the master lease and an option to buy FBO
Archer Aviation Hawthorne depiction
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

Canada Budget Eliminates Luxury Tax on Aircraft, Boats

10% assessment resulted in fewer aircraft sales in the country
O Canada panel session at CJI Miama 2025
Maintenance and Modifications

AINsight: Too Much AI Talk, but Maybe It Can Help MROs

Corporate aviation maintenance experts sound off on software issues
AI
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Ingenio Intros Modular Cabin IFE/CMS AeroPortal Devices

Installation makes upgrades or changes much simpler
Ingenio AeroPortal modular cabin components
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

Argus: October Was 2nd-busiest Month Ever for Bizav Flying

In North America, October activity was 7.4% higher than September
October 2025 Global Activity Heat Map
Aircraft

Pilatus Resumes U.S. Deliveries Despite Tariff Penalty

Company wants to keep U.S. facilities working at full capacity
Pilatus PC-24
Avionics

Boeing Sells Digital Aviation Solutions to Thoma Bravo

New company led by Brad Surak is named Jeppesen ForeFlight
oreFlight dynamic procedures
Rotorcraft

Tangmere is Bell’s New Sales Rep in the UK and Ireland

Rotary-wing division is under leadership of Will Fanshawe, director, Tangmere Aircraft Sales
Bell Textron and Tangmere Aircraft Sales
Rotorcraft

LA County Orders Two Sikorsky S-70i Firehawks

Helicopters are ideal for wildfire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical services
Sikorsky Firehawk helicopter
Avionics

Nighthawk Guardian Avionics Begin Delivery in December

New avionics platform simplifies installation and maintenance
Nighthawk Guardian avionics
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Skytrac Buys Honeywell’s Sky Connect Satcom Business

Acquisition includes perpetual license to manufacture and support the product line
Sky Connect
Rotorcraft

Outerlink Air IP Comms System Now Available on Bell 407

Broadband connectivity enabled by patented bonded architecture
Bell 407 GXi
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Gulfstream G200 Gets Gogo Galileo by Thornton Aviation

Installation of the low-earth-orbit satcom took three weeks
Gogo Galileo installation by Thornton Aviation
Rotorcraft

TH-66 Tapped for U.S. Navy Contractor Pilot Training

Helicopter Institute is running a U.S. Navy Contractor Operated Pilot Training program
Helicoper Institute TH-66
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Acron Aviation’s Second Acquisition Is Trakka Systems

Expands opportunities to distribute specialty equipment around the world
Trakka Systems
Safety

Vizyon Aviation Taps Safejets MS Compliance Software

Company operates charter jets, a maintenance operation, and a pilot training academy in Turkey
Safejets and Vizyon Aviation
Regulations and Government

Tribal Trial To Solve Confiscated Stinson 108 Situation

After an emergency landing, the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians seized the airplane
Stinson 108 emergency landing
Training and Workforce

Group Formed To Serve Kodiak Owners and Pilots

KOPS will focus on adventure, safety, community, and advocacy
KOPS spot-landing contest
Rotorcraft

Metro Aviation First with EMS STC for Airbus H160

Delivery of the first modified helicopter is due in early 2026
Airbus Helicopters H160
Accidents

WindBorne Weather Balloon Payload Impacts United 737

Flight crew were not seriously injured after windshield cracked at FL360
WindBorne weather balloon
Charter & Fractional

JetSafe Launches Vision Jet-based Shareowner Program

Aircraft will be based at primary service areas throughout the U.S.
JetSafe Shared Visions
Cabin Interior and Electronics

SpaceX Chops Starlink Roam, Priority Plans by 80 Knots

Maximum speed for non-Aviation plans will top out at 391 knots
Starlink Mini
Avionics

Stevens Performs First Post-STC KA350 Autoland Install

Garmin upgrade includes autothrottle with envelope protection features
Maintenance and Modifications

ODAs Offer STC Help during Government Shutdown

Kilroy Aviation expertise can keep modification projects moving
Kilroy Aviation logo
Aircraft

Middle East Buyers Sign for 600 Xpeng Land Aircraft Carriers

Aircraft can be carried by electric van to suitable flying areas
Aridge X3-F flight demo in Dubai
Training and Workforce

PHI First Air-med Operator To Deploy Loft VR Simulator

Pilots will practice emergencies and prep for Part 135 flying
Loft simulator at PHI Air Medical
Avionics

Garmin Releases Next-generation D2 Aviator Watches

New features include voice commands and PlaneSync connectivity
Garmin D2 Mach 2 smartwatch
Avionics

Hawkers Could Be Grounded by FDR Failures, Duncan Warns

Obsolete parts could mean grounding of the still-popular twinjet
Hawker FDR upgrade
Operations

FlightAware Deepens Data Access for AeroAPI Users

Customers can view and analyze historical information back to 2011.
FlightAware AeroAPI