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

As required by the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act, the FAA has released “The Transition Plan to Unleaded Aviation Gasoline.” This initial version of the <a href="https://www.faa.gov/unleaded/Transition_Plan_to_UL_Avgas_20260728_V1.pdf">plan</a> will be updated as new information is incorporated and phases of the plan are completed.
Phase 1 requires completion of FAA approvals and authorizations for the three candidate unleaded fuels that have been fielded or are under development. “Phase 1 also includes comparison testing and reporting to facilitate more informed decision-making by the end users,” according to the FAA.&nbsp;
The three fuels in Phase 1 are GAMI’s G100UL, which has been supplemental type certificate (STC)-approved for all spark-ignition piston aviation engines; Swift Fuels 100R, STC-approved for several engines but not yet for high-performance engines that require the detonation-protection features in 100LL; and LyondellBasell/VP Racing’s UL100, for which the companies hope to gain an FAA fleet-wide approval later this year covering certain aircraft and engines but not yet high-performance detonation-sensitive engines.
The FAA and industry have partnered on the transition to unleaded avgas through the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions initiative. As part of this effort, the FAA is testing the three fuels at its William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This testing is&nbsp;“part of the first phase of the transition to address key questions concerning performance and compatibility,” and the FAA will update the transition plan after this phase is done.
Meanwhile, both Swift Fuels and LyondellBasell/VP Racing are working with the FAA under the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative on the fleet authorization program. The FAA is also working to expedite rollout of high-octane unleaded fuel using the STC pathway, for both GAMI’s G100UL (which is already STC-approved for high-octane engines) and Swift’s 100R.
During the transition to unleaded avgas, which is supposed to happen by the end of 2030 in the continental U.S. and 2032 in Alaska—although the FAA has indicated that these deadlines may slip—the FAA is “encouraging airports to introduce unleaded fuel alternatives while requiring maintaining 100LL availability for&nbsp;aircraft&nbsp;through the transition.”
The FAA is also holding airports to grant assurance obligations that require them to “continue to offer&nbsp;leaded&nbsp;100LL until safe, fleet-wide unleaded alternatives are widely and locally accessible.”

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

FAA Releases Plan for Smooth and Safe Transition to Unleaded Avgas

Deadline is the end of 2030, but that may move to a later date

Phase 1 of the transition plan requires completion of FAA approvals/authorizations for the three unleaded fuels that have been fielded or are under development.

FAA Releases Plan for Transition to Unleaded Avgas

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

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.

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.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

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.

KDCA midair collision spawned a series of discussions on critical technology

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Amy Wilder

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Groups will share tools including risk assessment resources

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Charles Alcock

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.

Dassault has moved some “sensitive equipment” from other facilities near Bordeaux

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

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.

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