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&amp;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.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

Robinson Helicopter and Safran Helicopter Engines will include the engine manufacturer’s Serenity support package as a standard feature with every purchase of an R88 helicopter. Robinson unveiled the Arriel 2W-powered helicopter at Verticon in March.
Serenity covers five years or 2,000 flight hours, whichever comes first. Also included is AOG support, Level 3 and 4 unscheduled maintenance, priority access to the pool of replacement engines, troubleshooting and assistance solutions, health monitoring, and Safran’s Logbook Connect service.
The R88 will be Robinson’s largest helicopter, capable of carrying two pilots and eight passengers. Safran engineering personnel are working at the Robinson factory in Torrance, California, “to speed the collaboration and time to market,” according to Robinson Helicopter. “The two companies are working together closely to prepare for rigorous type certificate testing, designed to uphold the core values of reliability, dependability, and affordability.”
“Our objective is to deliver a highly capable, multi-mission, utility helicopter that will disrupt and outperform the single-engine market in capability and affordability. Integrating the Arriel 2W engine through a continuous and closely managed engineering process since March 2025 ensures we are meeting that objective,” said Robinson president and CEO David Smith. “The advancement of the Serenity package location support is a critical component of that value proposition, offering our customers predictable operational support, where they need it, when they need it.”

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Robinson, Safran To Provide Engine Support with Each R88 Purchase

Program covers 5 years, 2,000 hours, and AOG and troubleshooting assistance

Safran engineering personnel are working at the Robinson factory in Torrance, California, “to speed the collaboration [on the R88] and time to market,” according to Robinson Helicopter.

Robinson, Safran Team on R88 Engine Support

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Lidar-based system can improve safety in visibility-challenged environments 

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Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

The twin rotor helicopter represents the cutting edge of Russian helicopter technology.

Russian Kamov Ka-52 Helicopter Flies at Dubai Airshow

Amy Wilder

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Deliveries support oil and gas missions in Nigeria

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Charles Alcock

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Three more 505 singles and a 429 will be delivered in Europe

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Curt Epstein

Deal is with Airbus Nordic distributor Østnes Helicopters 

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Charlotte Bailey

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

In this article

Robinson Helicopter Company

Safran Helicopter Engines

More In Rotorcraft

Robinson, Lake Fusion Team on Obstacle Detection System

Lidar-based system can improve safety in visibility-challenged environments

Russian Kamov Ka-52 Helicopter Flies at Dubai Airshow

The twin rotor helicopter represents the cutting edge of Russian helicopter technology.

Five New Airbus H160s Join Bristow Under Lease

Deliveries support oil and gas missions in Nigeria

Bell Signs Orders For Four Helicopters in Europe

Three more 505 singles and a 429 will be delivered in Europe

Airbus Snags 10-ship H125 Order at European Rotors

Deal is with Airbus Nordic distributor Østnes Helicopters

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Autocraft confident E20+ aircraft will receive GCAA certification in 2027 or 2028

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