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

Training and Workforce

TRU Simulation Signs First Sale of Veris VR Simulator

US Aviation Academy will use Cessna 172 simulators in its pilot training program
TRU Simulation and US Aviation Academy
Avionics

Honda Aircraft Completes Autoland TIA Tests, SAF Flight

Garmin's safety system will be added to the HondaJet Elite II
Fueling HondaJet with 100% SAF
Safety

Polaris Awarded Research Contract for AI Safety Platform

Secure cloud-based platform will help military aviators evaluate risks and lessons learned
Polaris Aero Vocus
Engines

GE Explores Dust Effects on Turbine Engine Operations

Proprietary formula took more than 15 years to develop
GE RISE engine testing
Operations

Gulfstream’s Fleet Flies More than 3 Million Miles on SAF

SAF use at company headquarters in Savannah is set to grow 50% this year
Gulfstream G400
Aircraft

Otto Aerospace Phantom Makes Last-minute NBAA-BACE Debut

Company aims to fly in 2027 and achieve certification in 2030
Otto Aerospace engineering mockup of Phantom 3500
Maintenance and Modifications

Parts Flying Out of Massive Textron Aviation Warehouse

Three global warehouses maintain inventory of about 150,000 parts
Textron warehouse boxes
Maintenance and Modifications

Alpine Aerotech STCs EFIS for Bells, Bear Paw for H145

Projects help customers improve efficiency and safety
Bear Paw H145
Cabin Interior and Electronics

FAA Approves Starlink for Citation Latitude, Longitude

Company has developed six Starlink STCs this year
Starlink on Cessna Citation Sovereign+
Safety

Argus Enhances and Expands Gold Audit Standard

New criteria cover 14 audit categories in operations and maintenance
Argus booth at NBAA-BACE 2025
Aircraft

Daher Plans To Double Turboprop Sales in Brazil

Company is close to breaking ground on a manufacturing facility in Florida
Daher Kodiak 900 at NBAA-BACE 2025
Maintenance and Modifications

Gulfstream Adds Repair and Overhaul Facility in Dallas-Fort Worth Area

Specializes in component services
Gulfstream Texas MRO
Avionics

David Clark’s New Jet-X Headset Lands at NBAA-BACE

Offers lightweight fit with little clamping pressure
David Clark Jet-X headset
Cabin Interior and Electronics

SmartSky Resurrected as Apcela ATG

The restored air-to-ground connectivity network has new cybersecurity features
SmartSky gear
Maintenance and Modifications

Camp Systems, West Star Partner on AI Operations Manager

Artifical intelligence tool will help MROs improve opertaions and business efficiency
Camp Systems and West Star AI ops manager
Cabin Interior and Electronics

ACI Jet Completes CMS Install, Signs for ILS SalesEdge

Installation modernizes the jet without compromising existing woodwork
Challenger 605
Charter & Fractional

Lone Mountain Travel Picks Moove AI Booking Tool

Arrangements made on behalf of Big Sky resorts and ranches
Moove and Lone Mountain Travel
Maintenance and Modifications

Jets MRO Puts Aircraft Mechanics’ Needs as Top Priority

Dallas-based company’s low turnover keeps maintenance work on time
Jets MRO
Maintenance and Modifications

Blackhawk Gets FAA Approval for TBM 700 Engine Upgrade

XP66D package adds 150 shp and improved climb and cruise performance
Blackhawk modified TBM 700
Maintenance and Modifications

Maintenance Track Participants Earn IA Renewal Credits

Five maintenance-related sessions will meet the eight-hour training requirement
Crowds at NBAA-BACE exhibit floor
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Airmont Adds DirecTV’s JetVision to IFE Portfolio

System improves efficiency and reduces bandwidth needed for live television
Airmont
Maintenance and Modifications

Lithium Battery STCs Underway for Popular Bizjets

Approvals due next year for various Bombardier and Gulfstream models
True Blue Power TB50 lithium-ion battery
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

VanAllen Acquires Bizav Specialist Essex Aviation

Combination strengthens consulting services offered by both companies
Jeff Agur and Lee Rohde
Regulations and Government

H3R Aviation Solves Halon Replacement Problem

Halotron BRx is a suitable replacement but costs four to five times as much
H3R Aviation fire extinguishers
FBOs

Business Jet Continues Growth at Dallas Love Field

Full-service provider's hangar space covers nearly 500,000 sq ft
Business Jet hangar expansion at Love Field (KDAL) in Dallas.
Avionics

ForeFlight Features Are Popular Among Bizav Pilots

Operators are using the Dispatch tool and mobile app for a variety of planning and in-flight tasks
oreFlight dynamic procedures
Operations

Aircraft Owner Groups Deliver Many Benefits for Members

Recent developments include new insurance underwriters targeting safety-minded owners
Piper M-Class Owners & Pilots
Rotorcraft

Heli Austria Picks Thales/StandardAero StableLight Autopilot

Four-axis system will help pilots reduce risk in critical phases of flight
StableLight autopilot in H125
Maintenance and Modifications

Aero Star Aviation Introduces AI Maintenance Assistant

Virtual assistant “Ava” is designed to reduce downtime and boost accuracy and efficiency
Ava AI maintenance assistant
Training and Workforce

Omni, Unlimited Aerobatics Partner on UPRT Training

First implementation of advanced upset prevention and recovery training in Portugal
Omni Aviation Training Center and Unlimited Aerobatics