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

FBOs

Allison adds Million Air at Lafayette Regional Airport

Kenneth Allison has added another FBO, the former Lafayette Regional Airport in Louisiana, to his group of Million Air-branded facilities, bringing the tot
Airports

Goodbye, Palwaukee; Hello, Chicago Executive

Pilots flying to the former Palwaukee Airport north of Chicago are going to have to remember to say Chicago Executive Airport when they call the tower.

Feds research helo aging effects

When someone mentions the perils of “aging aircraft,” most people probably think about airplanes, usually large ones like the Aloha Airlines Boeing 737 tha

Bearing Inspection lowers part costs

Helicopters are expensive because the components that make up a helicopter are costly.

ATP puts it all together in latest mx software

When Aircraft Technical Publishers released its Navigator V regulatory data software in 2004, there was one key element missing: the ability to view manufa
Safety

FAA begins rulemaking process to extend runway safety margins

The FAA has decided to create a new rule to mandate a 15-percent runway landing safety margin for commercial operators instead of trying to impose the requ

Focus on Fuel: Saving on fuel (and other) costs

A few months ago, an Internet forum popular with corporate pilots erupted with a lively discussion about ways to save money while flying business jets, fro

Pilatus connects with owners at regional event

Pilatus Business Aircraft held its first-ever regional operators conference on August 17.
Aircraft

AD places limit on rare Hansa jet

There is reportedly one HFB 320 Hansa still flying or flyable, based in Turkey.
Aircraft

FAA requires more stringent training for MU-2 operators

The FAA is not planning to ground the Mitsubishi MU-2, despite a plea from Rep.
Safety

NTSB wants less trust in thrust reversers

The use of thrust reversers to shorten landing distance is a great benefit to aviation.
Safety

Proposed rule changes target icing accidents

Eleven years after the October 1994 crash of American Eagle Flight 4184 in Roselawn, Ind., the FAA proposed a revision to Part 25 certification regulations
FBOs

Signature adds another facility in California

Signature Flight Support added another FBO to its U.S.
Regulations and Government

FAA launches new program to manage en route traffic

After nearly a year of planning, the FAA is launching a new en route traffic-management tool called airspace flow programs (AFP).
Safety

FAA warns of unintended release of rotary seatbelt buckles

Pilots flying almost every type of business jet and airliner and some turboprops face a risk of inadvertent seatbelt release, according to a bulletin the F
Safety

Vigilance required to ensure ramp safety

Ramp accidents and incidents continue to plague the aviation industry, but the good news is that FBOs, charter operators and flight departments are taking
FBOs

Signature Flight Support: FBO company struggles to improve its reputation

Signature Flight Support has steadily stuck to its strategy since its founding in 1992 and has grown to become the largest multiple-base FBO company
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FBOs

Showalter FBO turns 60

Orlando Executive Airport FBO and Phillips 66 dealer Showalter Flying Service is 60 years old this year and held a huge hangar party in April to celebrate
FBOs

New FBO association forming

Another aviation association is forming, this time to serve FBOs with three or fewer facilities.
FBOs

Phillips 66 overhauls web site

ConocoPhillips has redesigned its Web site to help pilots find Phillips 66 FBOs and allow FBOs to take advantage of new technology.
FBOs

Rochester sells to Million Air

Million Air franchise Regent Aviation in Saint Paul, Minn., bought Rochester Aviation at Minnesota Rochester International Airport and renamed the FBO Rege
FBOs

Three more for Trajen

FBO chain Trajen has purchased three more FBOs, bringing its total to 22 facilities.
Airports

Say goodbye to Mirabel

The passenger facilities at Canada’s Montréal-Mirabel International Airport are candidates for a $C100 million ($87 million) transformation into an “indoor
FBOs

Two new FBOs for Signature

On May 1, Signature Flight Support opened the first purpose-built business aviation center at Robin Hood Airport in Doncaster/Sheffield, UK.
FBOs

Atlas Aviation's second maes an FBO chain

As of May 1, the former Island Aviation FBO at Merritt Island Airport in Florida reopened as the second FBO owned by Atlas Aviation.
FBOs

Business aviation grows in Sioux Falls

South Dakota corporate aviation continues growing, and to meet the needs of the flying community, Business Aviation Services is building a new FBO terminal
FBOs

Charlotte, one year later

Wilson Air Center’s Charlotte/Douglas International Airport FBO in North Carolina recently celebrated one year of operation, under a management contract wi
FBOs

Macquarie buy makes it three big FBO chains

When Macquarie Infrastructure completes its planned $338 million acquisition of the Trajen FBO chain in the third quarter, the aviation industry will have
FBOs

AIN readers weigh in on value of fuel promotions

With crude oil and jet-A prices rising and demand continuing to grow, retail purchasers of fuel might wonder why fuel companies bother with promotional pro
FBOs

Interest in contract fuel rises with jet-A prices

With jet-A prices already soaring and likely to climb during the summer, business jet operators continue to seek ways to save money on fuel.
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