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

Hughes Aerospace has added Slackline Awareness to its Hughes Flight Intelligence platform, which is available in the free Hughes Apple iOS app. It provides access to more than 7,000 known and reported slackline locations worldwide to help pilots evaluate slackline risks during preflight planning and moving-map route analysis.
Slacklines are made of high-strength webbing suspended between trees, poles, towers, or other structures, according to Hughes Aerospace, and they “are often nearly invisible from the air and can present a significant hazard during low-altitude operations.” A helicopter <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2026-05-04/aviation-coalition-aims-rein-slackline-hazards">crashed</a>&nbsp;in Arizona after hitting a slackline whose location had been posted in a notam, but it was undetermined whether the pilot saw the notice.
Hughes Flight Intelligence provides a variety of information in the app, including automated route analysis; georeferenced moving maps with VFR, IFR, and terminal procedure charts; real-time weather; notams for departure, destination, and planned route; FAA camera access; night-vision goggle planning information; icing forecasts; flight recording and playback; SMS reporting; and helicopter procedures.
“Every flight begins with decisions,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Chris Baur, pilot and Hughes Aerospace CEO, as well as co-chair of the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team. “Hughes Flight Intelligence was built by pilots to bring the critical information needed for safe flight into one place. Every enhancement we develop has one purpose—to help pilots identify hazards sooner, better understand risk, and return home safely after every flight.”

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Hughes Aerospace App Highlights Slacklines in Route Planning

Free service helps pilots evaluate risk before flight

The Hughes app provides access to more than 7,000 known and reported slackline locations worldwide to help pilots evaluate slackline risks.

Hughes App Highlights Slacklines in Route Planning

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Hanneke Weitering

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

Fired software manager alleges retaliation, discrimination

Wisk, Boeing Sued over eVTOL Software Safety Claims

Kerry Lynch

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.

Fireside Partners’ Gina Shealy advises on the difficult task of family notification

Helping Families through Emergencies

Amy Wilder

Aviation Secure’s Kristopher Cannon returns as a presenter

Bombardier Opens Registration for Flight Attendant Safety Summit

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

An American Airlines A319 rejected takeoff when a Phenom 300 crossed the runway

FAA Investigates Bizjet Runway Incursion at Miami Int’l

Stuart “Kipp” Lau

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.

Skip the formulaic approach/departure briefings for ones that highlight specific threats and create open dialogue

AINsight: Threat-forward Briefings Are Smart and Safe

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.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Testimony cites January 2025 and March 2026 fatal accidents

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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.

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