Matt Thurber
Editor-in-Chief

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&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.

Latest from Matt Thurber

Rotorcraft

Leonardo Maintains Growth Trajectory in All Segments

Orders are up 5.1% compared to 2024
Leonardo booth Verticon 2026
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Alpine Helicopters Picks Skytrac Solution for Upgrade Program

Iridium satcom will help pilots and ground crews remain connected
Skytrac Systems
Rotorcraft

R44 Utility Is Latest Robinson Iteration

Buyers can opt for the new configuration that targets utility operators
Robinson R44 utility interior
Rotorcraft

Robinson Expands into Uncrewed VTOL Market

New division encompasses heavy-lift drones and uncrewed helicopters
Robinson booth Verticon 2026
Rotorcraft

R88 Progressing with More Supplier Selections

Providers include GPMS, Outerlink, and Skurka Aerospace
Robinson R88 Verticon 2025
Maintenance and Modifications

Essential Turbines Triples Rolls-Royce MRO Capacity

New facility will speed up turnaround times for U.S. customers
Essential Turbines
Rotorcraft

DARPA Grants Bell X-Plane Status for Sprint Program Aircraft

Work has begun on the high-speed VTOL demonstrator
Artist’s concept for the SPRINT X-76
Rotorcraft

MD Helicopters Unveils 6-bladed MD 564 Utility Helicopter

Upgraded rotorcraft delivers significantly improved performance
MD 564
Maintenance and Modifications

Precision Support Services Gains EASA Part 145 Approval

Repair station certificate bolsters company’s ability to serve worldwide customers
Rotorcraft

JCAB Agrees on SkyDrive General Certification Plan

Company aims to begin deliveries in 2028
SkyDrive Tokyo demo flight
Avionics

FreeFlight Fields 5G-resilient Radar Altimeters

RA-4500 MK II will continue to evolve as performance criteria evolve
Freeflight RA-4500 MK II
Rotorcraft

Digital AirWare Signs Up Connected Ecosystem Software Users

Company founded to fill gaps in maintenance platform features
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Wireless Communications Slated for More Airbus Models

Device enables airborne connectivity via cellphone networks
AeroSync Max
Rotorcraft

Black Hawk Demonstrates Automated Flight with Genesys Autopilot

Capability is available for liftoff, hover, cruise, and landing
Moog Black hawk
Cabin Interior and Electronics

AeroSync Mission Available for Leonardo AW119

Device enables secure communications for EMS helicopter crews
Life Link AW119
Rotorcraft

Autonomous RUC-60 Black Hawk Testing Expands

Autonomy enables higher-risk missions without risking human crews
Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk
Rotorcraft

Rotortrade Logs Record Year for Helicopter Sales

More than 90% of 2025 transactions involved Airbus and Leonardo models
Rotortrade headquarters
Rotorcraft

Leonardo: AW609 Tiltrotor To Enter Service in 2027

Company expects early adopters to serve civil and government passenger transport needs
Leonardo AW609
Avionics

Easier Arrival Arranged for Landing on Aspen Runway 33

Honeywell FMS guided visual approach ensures a stabilized flightpath
Aspen FMS guided visual approach
Maintenance and Modifications

Asian Sky Group Sells GIV-SP after Major Mx Event

Two-year job included refurbishment and avionics upgrades
Asian Sky Group Gulfstream IV-SP business jet
Rotorcraft

Leonardo’s Production AW09 Leading Flight-test Program

Prototypes have been retired, and industrialization phase moves forward
AW09
Accidents

NTSB Cites Flight Control Laws in Praetor 500 Accident

Changes to software and operational procedures have been mandated
Flexjet Embraer Praetor 500 business jet
Rotorcraft

Robinson Preps Torrance Factory for R88 Production

Ever more vertical integration is the mantra for this manufacturer
Robinson president and CEO David Smith
Maintenance and Modifications

Boca Aircraft Maintenance Expands with Sarasota Facility

Third base on Florida’s west coast will augment service capabilities
Boca Aircraft Maintenance Sarasota, Florida
Maintenance and Modifications

Bluetail AI Automates Maintenance Logbook Records

Eliminates the hassles of dealing with paper documents
Bluetail AI-powered logbook
Accidents

NTSB Finds No Aircraft Anomalies in KSBS Accident

Autopilot was engaged when aircraft impacted Emerald Mountain below MDA
Steamboat Springs Airport notam
Maintenance and Modifications

West Star Aviation Acquires Bizav MRO Provider DCJet

Move expands AOG service opportunities
West Star
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Starlink Mini Flyers Facing Large Price Increase

New speed limit for low-cost plans is 87 knots
Sporty's Starlink Mini antenna mount
Operations

Dove 1 Flight Named for 2026 Special Olympics Airlift

Owners of Cessna, Beechcraft, and Hawker airplanes donating flights
Omani Carson and Special Olympics athlete Rachel
Airports

Monmouth Airport Deploys LPV Instrument Approaches

Private funding sped up the process to add new IFR procedures
New IFR approach procedures at Monmouth Executive Airport