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.

Matt Thurber

Latest from Matt Thurber

Training and Workforce

Two CFIs To Be Flight Instructor Hall of Fame Inductees

The honors go to Doug Stewart and Tim Tucker for their dedication to aviation education
Doug Stewart and Tim Tucker
Avionics

Garmin Pavilion Hosts Training and Product Promotions

A number of customer aircraft equipped with Garmin avionics will be on display
Garmin GTR 205x communications radio
Training and Workforce

The Pink Jet Arrives for EAA AirVenture Debut

Plans call for a fleet of pink jets to fly at airshows and events
The Pink Jet piloted by Stephanie Goetz
Airports

SocialFlight Guides Pilots on Destination Adventures

The free service is available on the web and a mobile app
SocialFlight
Safety

LifeFlight Australia Patients Helped Climbs 11.2%

The not-for-profit company operates 11 helicopters and four jets
LifeFlight Australia
Avionics

AeroMech Adding Starlink STCs for Citation 560XL Series

Certification programs are also underway for other Cessna Citation models as well as the Cessna SkyCourier
Starlink antenna mounted on Cessna Citation Excel
Airports

Singapore Buys Another Acoustic Bird-prevention System

The system uses intense direction calls and predator calls to prevent bird strikes
Migrating Birds on Saltmarshes View of the sea defence wall as a flock of migrating birds, disturbed while feeding, rise from the wheat field
Avionics

Butler National Updates Learjet Standby Instruments

The upgrade will be available to avionics shops for installation in customer Learjets
Mid-Continent Instruments MD-23 aircraft standby attitude indicator
Maintenance and Modifications

Dassault Signs Up for TrustFlight's Centrik 5 Software

The French manufacturer's MRO business will use the software to improve efficiency
Dassault Aviation Business Services hangar
Rotorcraft

PHI Takes Delivery of First Airbus H160 in U.S.

After proving runs, PHI will start commercial operations with the H160
PHI Airbus H160 helicopter
Rotorcraft

Aero Asset: Preowned Helo Sales Improving

Good news comes after three semesters of declining sales
Aero Asset sales of single-engine helicopters through the first half
Cabin Interior and Electronics

SmartSky Lite Approved for King Air B200 through 360

Approval adds thousands of airplanes to the STC approval list
King Air SmartSky connectivity system installation
Rotorcraft

Skyryse Bringing Single-control R66 to AirVenture

Flying the fly-by-wire helicopter is much simpler than with traditional controls
Skyryse EAA AirVenture booth image
Avionics

FAA SAFO Targets Incorrect uAvionix ADS-B Installations

Pairing with a Mode S transponder is causing ADS-B problems
The uAvionix tailBeacon ADS-B transceiver replaces the tail position light
Maintenance and Modifications

Jets MRO Improves Service by Minimizing Tech Turnover

The Dallas-based maintenance shop has become a desirable workplace
Jets MRO Dallas
Airports

First Situational Awareness Systems Delivered in U.S.

The system captures ADS-B signals from aircraft and ground vehicles
uAvionix’s airport situational awareness system
Rotorcraft

Hawaii AC Set To Further Constrain Air Tour Operations

Operators doubtful that new requirements will improve safety
man and woman in helicopter
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Airborne Communications Are Coming Down to Earth

More options may eventually lead to lower prices
airborne connectivity satellite
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Gogo Over-the-air Updates Exceed the 1,000 Mark

Remote updates can reduce upgrade times for the satellite communications system
Gogo Avance L5
Rotorcraft

Leonardo Appoints Tokyo Distributor for AW09 Helo

Aero Facility will be responsible for AW09 commercial applications in Japan
Aero Facility Japan
Training and Workforce

RateMyCRM Puts Pilots in the Feedback Loop

The software's creator was surprised to learn his leadership skills needed work
RateMyCRM Feedback system for pilots
Training and Workforce

Dassault Pioneer Jean-François Georges Dies at 83

Georges was passionate about aviation, mountains, and music
Jean-François Georges Dassault Aviation
Rotorcraft

Explosive Helicopter Stunt Leads To YouTuber’s Arrest

Pilot who flew the helicopter for the filming had his license revoked by the FAA
Helicopter shooting fireworks at car
Accidents

Aspen Takeoff Overrun Followed Instantaneous Wind Call 

The NTSB final report was inconclusive about why the jet was unable to rotate
Aspen Hawker takeoff runway overrun accident
Rotorcraft

Airbus Delivers 1st ACH160 Helicopter in North America

Chartright Air Group will start flying charters in the ACH160 in the third quarter
Airbus ACH160 for Chartright Air Group
Rotorcraft

Hoper Launches Aegean Islands Helicopter Service

The move signals that there is a market for regional mobility that helicopters can serve
Hoper helicopter flights in Greece
Avionics

Garmin GI 275 Approved for MD Helicopters MD500/530

The approval expands installation options for Garmin's electronic flight instrument
Garmin GI 275 electronic flight instrument
Rotorcraft

Omni Helicopters Picks Two for Ab Initio Helo Training

The rigorous selection process involved nearly 20 candidates
Somant Heeralal and Yadram Ramcharran, Omni Helicopters
Rotorcraft

Loft VR Helo Simulator Approved for Sling Load Training

Pilots were able to safety handle real sling loads after the VR training
Loft Dynamics virtual reality helicopter sling load training
Maintenance and Modifications

MD Helicopters Adds Texas Authorized Service Center

MD is further expanding its service center network
Thoroughbred Aviation's Georgetown, Texas maintenance facility