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
Training and Workforce
AIN Blog: The Cirrus Training Philosophy
Learning to fly the Cirrus SR20 was an education in modern training technology.
Aircraft
Robinson Helicopter Taking Orders for R44 Cadet
The new lower-cost R44 is aimed at flight schools and utility operators, and it will offer optional air-conditioning.
ATC
ForeFlight Educates Users on ICAO Flight Plan Filing
Pilots can learn how to file ICAO-format flight plans to prepare for the October 1 switch from the FAA domestic flight plan filing system.
Avionics
BendixKing AeroWave Features New Antenna and Routers
The low-cost satcom weighs about 12 pounds and offers service speeds of up to 200 Kbps.
ATC
Departure Clearance Service Coming to Teterboro
The new service will simplify issuance of clearances and also speed up the process of revising clearances.
Avionics
Safran, Duncan Team on Challenger 601 ADS-B OUT
The approved model list STC will eventually cover the Learjet 60, Gulfstream G150 and G200, Falcon 50/50EX and Hawker 800 series.
Maintenance and Modifications
Aviall Taps Into Asia-Pacific Growth Opportunities
The Boeing-owned company distributes parts for 240 manufacturers and offers repair services too.
Avionics
Duncan STCs ADS-B OUT for Citation Models
The upgrade retains the original radios and transponder and meets the FAA's 2020 mandate deadline.
Aircraft
AeroVironment Focuses on Maritime UAS Ops
The California-based UAS manufacturer offers a variety of unmanned aircraft systems capable of landing on water.
Aircraft
AIN Blog: Acclaim for Mooney
The new Mooney Acclaim Ultra could help revive the company's market share.
Charter & Fractional
JetSuite Launches Cuba Charter Service
Flights are offered from 16 gateway airports in the U.S.
Training and Workforce
Pilots Learning To Fly in Frasca Simulators
The company’s simulators are seeing growing interest in the Asia-Pacific region.
Aircraft
Cirrus Expanding Asia Pacific Presence
Certification of the Vision SF50 single-engine, all-composite jet is imminent.
Maintenance and Modifications
Associations Ask FAA: Withdraw AC On Field Approval Data
The associations want the FAA to withdraw AC 42-210A and work with industry on a better solution.
Avionics
New Garmin Transponders Add ADS-B Solutions for G1000s
The new GTX 345/335 transponders offer 1090-MHz ADS-B OUT and an optional Waas/GPS position source for ADS-B OUT.
Airports
Airport Tenants File New Santa Monica Part 16 Complaint
The latest complaint targets the city of Santa Monica's efforts to make airport tenants want to leave the airport.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
AIN Blog: Would You Fly In This Drone?
What standards will passenger-carrying drones have to meet?
Jetpack Is Real, and It Flies
Jetpack Aviation has accomplished the dream of real jetpack flight, powered by two tiny turbine engines.
Avionics
Garmin On-site Training Helps Pilots Learn Avionics Details
The two-day training class for the G500/G600 MFDs and GTN navigators is a valuable experience.
Aircraft
Gulfstream G500 Passes Flutter Testing Milestone
The new Gulfstream family is on track for G500 certification in 2017, followed by the G600 in 2019.
Airports
Santa Monica Appeals FAA's Ruling To Keep Airport Open
The FAA determination was made last December, and it requires the city of Santa Monica to keep its airport open through 2023.
Airports
AIN Blog: The Mother of All TFRs
Super Bowl 50 and a visit by President Obama will shut down much of the airspace in the San Francisco Bay Area to most general aviation operations.
FBOs
Signature Flight Opens 'World’s Largest FBO' at SJC
Signature Flight Support's new San Jose FBO includes a 60,000-sq-ft hangar that can fit two 767s.
AIN Blog: Flying Therapy
Does flying an airplane have a positive effect on Alzheimer's sufferers?
Aircraft
Trip Report: Embraer Phenom 300
The Phenom 300 showed its capabilities during a delivery flight from Brazil to Florida.
Charter & Fractional
Seven Business Jets Added to Clay Lacy Aviation Fleet
The addition of seven jets to Clay Lacy Aviation's fleet indicates strong interest in charter bookings.
Accidents
NTSB Notes Icing Issues in Phenom 100 Crash
The Phenom 100 crashed short of the runway in Gaithersburg, Md., on Dec. 8, 2014.
Charter & Fractional
Legacy 500 Joins Million Air Dallas Charter Fleet
The fly-by-wire jet is a pleasure to fly, both for pilots and passengers.
Avionics
Sandel Signs Stevens Aviation for Avilon Installations
The Avilon integrated flight deck is designed for easy installation in about five days.
EASA STC Features Dac International A-D Converter
The converter is part of a Tcas II Change 7.1 upgrade for Falcons.
