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.

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Matt Thurber

One of the more unusual events last week at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh was the unveiling of a sculpture. Located in the center of the Tecnam exhibit, a black cloth covered what appeared to be parts of a new aircraft until it was peeled off during the July 21 event, revealing the nose of an aircraft connected to a 3,000-pound stainless steel sculpture spelling out the word Rivale.
Officials from Tecnam didn’t disclose many details about the new airplane, other than it will be powered by Continental’s V-6 diesel CD-300 engine matched to an MT propeller. Other equipment includes Garmin G2000 Prime avionics, Beringer wheels and brakes, Michelin tires, and CAV’s TKS deicing system.&nbsp;
“The installation invites visitors to discover the meticulous attention to detail embodied in just the first three feet of the aircraft," the Italian company said, promising more details about the Rivale as the program progresses. "Everything beyond has deliberately been left unseen, encouraging the aviation world to imagine what lies beyond the nose, all the way to the tail and wingtips, until the complete aircraft is publicly unveiled next year.”&nbsp;
“What is missing from the experience of personal flying today? And perhaps even more importantly, what should it truly feel like?” Tecnam managing director Giovanni Pascale Langer asked rhetorically. “To us, personal flying has never been simply about traveling from one place to another. It is about freedom. Emotion. Beauty. Time. And the people you choose to share it with.
“Our greatest rival has never been another manufacturer. It has always been ourselves. Every new Tecnam has one responsibility: to challenge the Tecnam that came before it. Not simply to create another aircraft, but to create what we believe has been missing from the experience of personal flying.” Rivale means rival or competitor in Italian.
In addition to a variety of Tecnam models, the company brought its new <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/video/tecnams-p2012-traveller-piston-twin-aircraft-gets-vip-interior-touch">P2012 VIP</a> to the Oshkosh show, highlighting the twin-engine airplane’s comfort features for executive travel. With a six-foot backrest-to-backrest club and two forward-facing seats, the P2012 VIP is finished with Italian leather, a handcrafted wood table and armrests, and Alcantara and leather finishing.
Windows are electronically dimmable, and adjustable interior LED lighting allows for matching cabin conditions to time of day, workspace, or relaxation needs. Individual reading lights are placed at each seat, and the cabin is equipped with high-power USB-C ports, 110/220-volt inverters and home-type power sockets, and flight data delivered to passenger devices.
To quiet the cabin, Tecnam added three layers of soundproofing. Powered LEMO headset connections are also located at each seat. The P2012 also features a private lavatory.

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