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

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
Maintenance and Modifications

TBM 700 Re-engining Program Advances at Blackhawk

Flight testing is validating performance improvements
Blackhawk Aerospace TBM 700 airplane
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

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
Maintenance and Modifications

IS&S Providing Autothrottles for U.S. Army King Airs

Modification eases pilot workload and enhances safety
Beechcraft King modified with IS&S autothrottles
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Trimec Aviation Plans STC for Gogo Galileo HDX Satcom

Modification will be available for the 230 G200s in service
Gogo Galileo HDX satellite communications system
Maintenance and Modifications

PHI MRO Services Appointed Approved Leonardo Supplier

Move strengthens PHI's relationship with helicopter OEM
Leonardo AW139 helicopter
Maintenance and Modifications

Meridian Receives Part 145 Repair Station Certificate

MRO provider specializes in Bell 206 and 407 helicopter maintenance
Bell LongRanger helicopter
Rotorcraft

Avincis Strengthens Portugal Helicopter MRO Base

Plan will help ensure long-term job stability for Portugal workforce
Avincis Leonardo AW139 helicopter
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Viasat JetXP Uncaps Speed on Jet ConneX Bizav Satcom

Survey says that customers value reliability and service over speed
Viasat users in aircraft
Rotorcraft

Onboard Talon Dual Cargo Hook Approved in Bell 429

Kits are retrofittable to 429s with existing single- or dual-hook systems
Onboard Systems International Bell 429 helicopter dual cargo hook system
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Stevens and Peregrine To STC Gogo Galileo for King Airs

Plans call for the STC to be approved next year for installations in the fourth quarter of 2025
Article image
Rotorcraft

Operators Enrolling in VAI Risk Accreditation Program

ORRA encourages helicopter companies to go beyond traditional risk management
Russian Helicopters
Accidents

Passenger Lands King Air C90 after Pilot Medical Issue

Aircraft touched down on the runway then departed onto a grassy area
Flight track on N6077X, King Air C90A airplane
Aircraft

UP.Summit 2024 Celebrates Mobility Technology 

Ideas abound when 300 creators and innovators join together
UP.Summit 2024 Bentonville, Arkansas
Rotorcraft

FAA Issues Special Airworthiness Cert for Skyryse One

Single-flight-control user interface makes helicopter flying safer and easier
Skyryse One modified Robinson R66 helicopter
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Garmin Messenger Plus Taps Iridium Certus Network

Battery life is up to 600 hours in low-power mode
Garmin inReach Messenger Plus satellite communicator
Charter & Fractional

Life Flight Network Moving Fixed-wing Ops to Renton

Helicopter services will still be available at the Port Angeles facility
Life Flight Pilatus PC-12 airplane
Rotorcraft

Aero Asset: Twin-engine Helo Market Retail Sales Drop

Europe was the only region to see sales increase, up by 5%
Aero Asset retail helicopter prices 1H24
Engines

AIN Product Support Survey 2024: Engines

Readers rate business aviation engine OEMs' aftermarket support
GE Passport engine
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Gogo To Acquire Satcom Direct in Surprise Deal

SD will receive $375 million cash, five million shares
Satcom Direct Plane Simple