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

Safety

Will Boeing Add Jeppesen to Asset-sale Plans?

Speculation suggests that Boeing might sell aviation chart data provider Jeppesen for $6 billion
Jeppesen
Rotorcraft

Rotortrade Partners with Safran, Joins Mentor Program

Preowned helicopter specialist is expanding its capabilities
Rotortrade Philippe Lubrano and Safran Helicopter Engines Mathieu Albert
Avionics

Global Aviation STCs ClearVision EFVS in King Airs

Approval enables operators to add head-up display to King Air turboprops
King Air with Universal Avionics ClearVision Enhanced Flight Vision System
Rotorcraft

Bell Logs Sales for 505 and 407GXi Helicopters

Includes the sale of the 100th Bell 505 in Europe
100th Bell 505 in Europe
Charter & Fractional

FlyJets Taps Trip Requests To Offer Charter Discounts

'Phantom' empty legs can add up to savings for buyers and revenue for operators
Flyjets CEO Jessica Fisher
Airports

Aspen Residents Vote for County Control of Airport

Ballot measure would have ceded decisions on runway expansion to residents
Aspen Airport
Sustainability and Environment

San Carlos Flight Center Adopts Unleaded Swift 100R

High-octane unleaded avgas is becoming more available in California
Rabbit Aviation is delivering Swift Fuels' unleaded 100R to San Carlos Flight Center Cessna 172s
Rotorcraft

FAA Releases 2023 Helo Air Ambulance Ops Data Summary

Six accidents, two with fatalities, took place during calendar year 2023
Helicopter air ambulance operations 2023
Accidents

Five Killed in HondaJet Rejected Takeoff Crash at KFFZ

Aircraft caught fire and burned after hitting a vehicle
ADS-B Exchange data showing HondaJet rejected takeoff at Falcon Field
Aircraft

Game Composites Delivers 100th Aerobatic GameBird

Certified in 2019, the GB1 is an aerobatic airplane that is comfortable for flying longer distances
Game Composites employees celebrate 100th GameBird delivery
Aircraft

SkyAlyne Contract To Deliver Airbus H135 Helos to RCAF

Contract calls for 19 helicopters, with deliveries beginning in 2026
Royal Canadian Air Force Airbus H135 helicopter
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Gogo HDX Satcom Antenna Passes DO-160 Testing

System is on track for launch of service later this year
Gogo Galileo HDX satellite antenna testing
Airports

Reid-Hillview Starts Pumping High-octane Unleaded Avgas

Aircraft owners will no longer have to fly to other airports to buy fuel
GAMI co-founder George Braly in G100UL fuel truck at Reid-Hillview Airport
Avionics

Thornton Aviation Installs InSight Suite on Falcon 900B

Upgrade adds 3D synthetic vision and next-gen capabilities
Thornton Aviation Falcon 900B business jet InSight avionics upgrade
Maintenance and Modifications

FAA Issus Stay on Burdensome Moss Maintenance Interpretation

Industry experts believed the FAA letter overstepped bounds
FlightSafety EASA maintenance training
Regulations and Government

NBAA, Collins Aerospace End APIS Service Agreement

Alternative services and declining participation led to the change
Electronic Advance Passenger Information Services
Rotorcraft

First MD500E to MD530F Helicopter Conversion Done

Upgrade is available at MD Helicopters service centers
MD500E to MD530F conversion for Cleveland Police Department
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Gogo Galileo Signs Wheels Up and Textron Aviation

LEO satcom is expected to begin service by the end of the year
Gogo Galileo satellite communications
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

Portside Agrees To Buy Collins Flight Operations System

Deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter
Collins Aerospace Flight Operations System
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Gulfstream First OEM To Receive Starlink STC

Approval adds option for service center installations
Gulfstream G650 Starlink installation
Avionics

Eclipse Flight Tests Daedalean Visual Awareness System

Tests are being done in an Eclipse 550 twinjet
Daedalean visual landing system cameras in Eclipse 550 jet
Aircraft

Citation Ascend Preps for Service Entry in 2025

Latest member of the 560XL family has a flat-floor cabin and Garmin G5000 avionics
Ascend mockup at NBAA-BACE 2024
Avionics

Universal Avionics All In on Artificial Intelligence

Advancements promise to make pilots' jobs easier and safer
Universal Avionics’ AI-based system
Avionics

CJ4 Gen3 Is First for Garmin G3000 Prime Avionics Suite

New avionics suite adds full touchscreen displays and UI improvements
Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen3
Maintenance and Modifications

TBM 700 Re-engining Program Advances at Blackhawk

Flight testing is validating performance improvements
Blackhawk Aerospace TBM 700 airplane
Maintenance and Modifications

Finnoff Bundles PC-12 Upgrades into Performance Package

New engine and propeller turn legacy PC-12s into NGs
Pilatus PC-12 with  seven-blade propeller.
Cabin Interior and Electronics

LEO Satcom Gaining Ground among Connectivity Buyers

Gogo Galileo and Starlink are vying for business aviation customers
Eutelsat OneWeb satellite
Avionics

Autopilots and Integrated Cockpits are Genesys' Forte

Grob's TP-X trainer features the full Genesys treatment
Genesys
Avionics

G3000 Prime Moving Touchscreens into Part 23 Cockpits

Intuitive user interface will be familiar for smart device users
G3000 touch screens
Avionics

FreeFlight Adds to GNSS Nav Support in 1203C Receiver

Upgrade includes anti-GNSS spoofing capability
FreeFlight Systems 1203C receiver