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

Cessna 208 Caravan and 208B Grand Caravan

Matt Thurber

Textron Aviation affiliate TRU Simulation + Training is introducing the Cessna Grand Caravan EX as the next aircraft to be simulated in its line of Veris virtual reality (VR) flight training devices. This TRU Veris training device joins those for the Bell 505, Cessna Skyhawk, and Airbus H125. At NBAA-BACE, TRU is offering demonstration flights in the Skyhawk Veris simulator.
The Grand Caravan EX Veris simulator will be equipped with a fully configured cockpit that replicates the airplane’s instrumentation, controls, and Garmin G1000 NXi avionics. TRU will include a dual-seat configuration to support flight instructors teaching Caravan pilots and to accommodate single- and dual-pilot training needs. Trainers can run the simulator with or without the VR headset, depending on operational needs and learning styles.&nbsp;
“The Veris platform was created to make high-fidelity simulation accessible to more operators and training organizations, helping to meet the growing need for efficient pilot training and proficiency development across the industry,” said TRU president and CEO Jerry Messaris. “The Grand Caravan EX serves a broad range of missions around the world, from cargo and commuter operations to special mission and utility flying, making it a natural addition to the growing Veris portfolio. This device gives operators another tool to enhance pilot preparedness while balancing training effectiveness, flexibility, and cost.”

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

TRU Simulation Is Developing a VR Simulator for Cessna Grand Caravan EX

Flight training device will have two seats for single- or multi-crew training

The Grand Caravan EX Veris simulator will be equipped with a fully configured cockpit that replicates the airplane’s instrumentation, controls, and Garmin G1000 NXi avionics. 

TRU Developing VR Simulator for Cessna Grand Caravan EX

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Hanneke Weitering

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.

Thurber honored with NBAA lifetime achievement award

AIN’s Matt Thurber Gets Wings 

Stuart “Kipp” Lau

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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.

Pilots experience selected sensory conflicts and learn to recognize when their perception is unreliable

APS Offers New Spin on Spatial Disorientation Training

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

Analysis shows industry salary gains are outpacing national rate of 3.4%

AirComp: U.S. Business Aviation Pay Climbs 8% in U.S.

Kerry Lynch

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.

NBAA-BACE 2026

In this article

Cessna 208 Caravan and 208B Grand Caravan

TRU Simulation

Textron Aviation

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AIN’s Matt Thurber Gets Wings

Thurber honored with NBAA lifetime achievement award

APS Offers New Spin on Spatial Disorientation Training

Pilots experience selected sensory conflicts and learn to recognize when their perception is unreliable

AirComp: U.S. Business Aviation Pay Climbs 8% in U.S.

Analysis shows industry salary gains are outpacing national rate of 3.4%

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New courses cover Citation Longitude, Citation X/X+

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