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
Accidents
NTSB Notes Icing Issues in Phenom 100 Crash
The Phenom 100 crashed short of the runway in Gaithersburg, Md., on Dec. 8, 2014.
Charter & Fractional
Legacy 500 Joins Million Air Dallas Charter Fleet
The fly-by-wire jet is a pleasure to fly, both for pilots and passengers.
Avionics
Sandel Signs Stevens Aviation for Avilon Installations
The Avilon integrated flight deck is designed for easy installation in about five days.
EASA STC Features Dac International A-D Converter
The converter is part of a Tcas II Change 7.1 upgrade for Falcons.
Avionics
Cockpit Avionics: NextGen Upgrade Pace and STC Approvals Accelerating
Business aircraft owners and operators have many more choices now for NextGen upgrades, some of them more cost-effective than others.
Aircraft
Bombardier Moves To Direct Sales, TAG Steps Down as Rep
In line with this change, Bombardier and TAG Aeronautics have “amicably elected” to end their contractual agreements.
Safety
AIN Blog: Notams Still Incomprehensible
The FAA's Notam system is still broken, and for safety's sake it needs to be fixed.
Aircraft
Epic E1000 Prototype Enters Flight-test Program
The first prototype of the Epic E1000 single-engine turboprop is one of two that will fly the flight test campaign.
Airports
Graffiti Vandals Strike at Van Nuys Airport
The latest tagging incident involves three jets parked on the south side of Van Nuys Airport.
AIN Blog: On the Wings of Christmas Elves
Business aviation volunteers helped make the holiday season special.
Training and Workforce
DOT OIG Seeks Further FAA Work on Controller Training Contract
The original controller training contract, issued to Raytheon, was awarded in 2008 and updated in 2010.
Security
Notam Outlines New TSA Waiver for Flights Through U.S. Airspace
The new Notam applies to foreign-registered aircraft weighing fewer than or equal to 100,309 pounds.
Avionics
Bad Elf Crowd-funding Aims To Cut Cost of ADS-B IN Receivers
The Bad Elf Kickstarter offers four configurations of a new portable, low-cost ADS-B IN receiver.
Training and Workforce
FAA Moves Comment Period for AMT School Regulation Change to February 1
The rule change would allow AMT schools to amend curriculums using a simpler process.
Maintenance and Modifications
Learjet 20 XR Mods Now Have Hushkit
Deadline for Stage 3 noise compliance was Dec. 31, 2015, and now all Learjet 20 series can be modified to meet the requirement.
Avionics
AIN Blog: NextGen Capabilities Available Now
When ADS-B is fully implemented, ATC infrastructure will finally realize all the benefits that GPS promised 25 years ago.
Safety
AIN Blog: Local Legislators Don’t Want Your Drones
Model aircraft and drone operators are facing new local restrictions on where they can fly.
Avionics
AIN Blog: Component Improvements Drive Aircraft Efficiency Gains
New engines, avionics and systems are providing incremental improvements in performance and efficiency.
Avionics
FAA Releases Revised ADS-B Advisory Circular
New version of AC 20-165B includes significant changes to help facilitate ADS-B OUT upgrades.
Safety
Court Decides That Flight-sharing Websites Are Illegal
The FAA's claim that flight-sharing websites offer illegal flights for compensation or hire is supported by an appeals court decision.
Avionics
Industry Coalition Outlines Concerns With New LightSquared Test Plan
LightSquared has emerged from bankruptcy and is forging ahead on a test plan it says will protect GPS receivers from interference.
Airports
New Moves Made To Keep SMO Operating Equitably
Santa Monica Airport Association is preparing a new Part 16 complaint to be filed with the FAA.
Aircraft
Embraer Delivers Executive AirShare’s 30th Phenom
Executive AirShare's 30th Phenom is painted in colors from the Brazilian flag, with the Brazilian and U.S. flags painted on the tail.
Avionics
Gulfstream STCs Gogo UCS 5000 in GIV/GV
The UCS 5000 is a “smart” router capable of managing multiple onboard networks.
Aircraft
Qatar Airways Takes Delivery of First G650ER
Qatar Executive, the private jet division of Qatar Airways, has ordered up to 30 G650ERs, G500s and G600s.
Aircraft
FAA Type Certificate Issued for HA-420 HondaJet
A celebration of issuance of the HondaJet's type certificate was held December 9 at Honda Aircraft headquarters in Greensboro, N.C.
Airports
Santa Monica Obligated by Grant Assurances Until 2023
The FAA has determined in response to a Part 16 complaint that Santa Monica must comply with grant assurance obligations in running its airport.
Charter & Fractional
Executive AirShare Celebrates 15 Years, New Phenom 300
The fractional-share operator's fleet has grown to 49 aircraft, and it is taking delivery of a second Phenom 300.
