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

Pilots opting to carry a Starlink Mini terminal as portable equipment have created various ways of mounting the antenna in a window where it can cleanly connect to the constellation’s low-earth-orbit satellites. Now Sporty’s Pilot Shop has introduced a new Flight Gear Starlink Mini suction cup mounting system.
The mount secures “directly into the Starlink Mini’s main cavity,” according to Sporty’s. Dual 3.5-inch double-gasket suction cups are fitted to each side of an aluminum bracket. Its suction cups can rotate 360 degrees and the bracket’s “multi-positional arms” enable secure attachment to curved or angled windows. “A single-press locking mechanism ensures a firm hold—even as temperatures and conditions change.”
Sporty’s designed and tested the mount to support weights up to 8.5 pounds and temperatures from -20 to 50 degrees C. The bracket can be extended to fit windows up to 19.5 inches wide, but the typical range is 17 inches, or it can be compressed to 13 inches for smaller windows. Price of the Flight Gear Starlink Mini mount is $59.95.

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

Sporty’s Pilot Shop Adds Flight Gear Starlink Mini Mounting System

Device can accommodate up to 8.5 pounds and windows from 13 to 19.5 inches

Sporty’s Pilot Shop has introduced a new Flight Gear Starlink Mini suction cup mounting system.

Sporty’s Adds Flight Gear Starlink Mini Mounting System

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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.

System adds high-fidelity sound tuned to each aircraft

Yingling Achieves 100th Alto GV/G550 Installation

Amy Wilder

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

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Installations begin with the company’s Challenger 350 fleet

FlyExclusive Brings Starlink Connectivity to Fleet

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

More In Cabin Interior and Electronics

Yingling Achieves 100th Alto GV/G550 Installation

System adds high-fidelity sound tuned to each aircraft

FlyExclusive Brings Starlink Connectivity to Fleet

Installations begin with the company’s Challenger 350 fleet

Lufthansa Technik Unveils ‘Smart’ Aircraft Tray Table with Touchscreen Tech

Hidden Touch Display makes the fold-up tray table an intelligent user interface.

Pentastar Gains Gogo Galileo HDX STC for Gulfstreams

FAA certification expands LEO satcom connectivity options

With Capabilities Confirmed, Gogo Launches 5G Network

More than 30 flight test hours proved out the system

Lufthansa Technik Launches ACJ318 Elite Upgrade Program

Program adds updated interiors and connectivity upgrades

JetMS Moves Interiors Production from UK to Lithuania

UK presence will continue as center of design excellence

Aircraft Interiors Expo To Increase Bizav Focus in 2026

The new Bizjet Interiors Zone will offer the latest in design and technology

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN