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

Elliott Aviation is celebrating its 90th anniversary and launched the Founder’s Award to acknowledge the company milestone. The first recipient of the Founder’s Award is Paul Schmidt, who has worked for Elliott Aviation for 27 years.
Schmidt’s experience in the avionics arena include contributing to more than 100 Garmin installations, one-fifth of the total completed by Elliott Aviation. According to Elliott Aviation, “Paul is widely respected for his professionalism, humility, and unwavering commitment to doing things the right way. He is the teammate others rely on when precision matters, timelines are tight, and customers are counting on Elliott Aviation to deliver. His consistent demonstration of trust, honor, and integrity makes him a role model within the organization and across the aviation community.”
“As Elliott Aviation celebrates 90 years, it is fitting that we honor the people who carry our founders’ values forward,” said company president Michael Parrish. “Paul Schmidt exemplifies what it means to be part of Elliott Aviation, and we are proud to recognize him as the first recipient of the Founder’s Award.”
Elliott Aviation was founded in 1936 by Herb Elliott. “The Founder’s Award is a direct reflection of what Herb Elliott believed mattered most,” said Parrish. “This award is not just about performance. It is about character, accountability, and the pride our founders believed every employee should bring to their work.”

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.

At 90 Years, Elliott Aviation Celebrates with Inaugural Founder’s Award

Winner of the first award is 27-year employee Paul Schmidt

The first recipient of the Founder’s Award is Paul Schmidt, who has worked for Elliott Aviation for 27 years.

Elliott Aviation Marks 90 Years with Founder’s Award

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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.

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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.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

U.S. certification covers Dassault, Bombardier and Textron aircraft types

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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.

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.

Transaction subject to U.S. regulatory approvals

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

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