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

Enstrom Helicopter’s authorized distributor for South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, Safomar Aviation, has taken delivery of a new 480B turbine helicopter. This is Enstrom’s first commercial delivery since resuming production.&nbsp;
In addition to helicopter sales, Modderfontein, South Africa-based Safomar Aviation provides full maintenance services, aircraft sales and leasing, and parts and supplies. Its 480B will be used to demonstrate the helicopter’s capabilities to potential customers.
“Safomar has been an exceptional representative of the Enstrom brand for many years,” said Chuck Wade, Enstrom’s senior v-p of product, sales, and customer excellence. “This delivery reflects more than the transfer of an aircraft; it represents the continued strength of our partnership and our shared commitment to supporting customers throughout South Africa and the broader African market. It also marks an important milestone for Enstrom as our first commercial aircraft delivery since resuming production, reinforcing our ability to serve both commercial and military customers around the world.”
“Enstrom and Safomar’s [relationship] is a living example of trust, collaboration, and focus on a superb product, superior support, and [dedication to] constant improvements,” said Safomar Group CEO Shai Shalem. “We both have our customers’ safety and requirements as our top priorities. Our joint objective is to further expand the African market with solutions that Enstrom’s superb products provide.”

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Enstrom Delivers 480B Helicopter to Africa’s Safomar Aviation

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Safomar Aviation’s new Enstrom 480B will be used to demonstrate the helicopter’s capabilities to potential customers.

Enstrom Delivers 480B to Africa’s Safomar Aviation

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