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

Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) has modified the flight instruments and avionics of a Bell 47 helicopter to be compatible with night-vision goggles (NVGs). The Bell 47 is one of three owned and operated by Wildhorse Helicopters and is used for NVG-based UAV delivery test flights.
The testing is designed to record camera images of UAV flights and deliveries during realistic night operations with obstacles, according to ASU, to support perception algorithms that were developed for the UAVs. This includes training the perception system for night operations.
“The UAV must be able to fly in congested airspace and avoid other aircraft. To do this, we continue to train the system’s algorithm using a manned aircraft (a Bell 47) flying in preplanned, real-world scenarios,” the company said.
“This was an intriguing project to work on,” said ASU quality assurance manager James Haney. “The Bell 47G is an aircraft with a storied history dating back to the early 1950s, used for everything from a support aircraft in the Korean War to civil utilitarian use. Now it is being used to create new technology for delivery drones, which will usher in a new era of expedited deliveries for its consumer base from companies using UAS delivery methods.”

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.

Wildhorse Helicopters Bell 47 Gets Full Night Vision Goggle Treatment

Modification helps company complete UAV delivery flight testing

Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) modifies Wildhorse Helicopters Bell 47 with NVG technology for UAV delivery test flights.

Wildhorse Helicopters Bell 47 Gets Full NVG Treatment

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News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

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

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Aviation Specialties Unlimited

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