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.

Matt Thurber

Latest from Matt Thurber

Maintenance and Modifications

ExecuJet Middle East Adds Embraer Legacy Mx Approval

Provider's list of civil aviation MRO approvals has reached 18
ExecuJet MRO Services Middle East
Avionics

Garmin G5000 Certified in Citation XLS+/XLS Gen2

Eligible fleet for this upgrade now exceeds 1,000 jets
Garmin G5000 upgrade for Citation XLS+ and XLS Gen2 business jets
Charter & Fractional

Volato Facing Class-action WARN Act Lawsuit

Move follows reported layoffs of 233 employees in late August
Volato
Avionics

ForeFlight Releases Flight Planning Improvements

Enhanced flight drawer and graphical weight and balance cabin layout are among the changes
ForeFlight weight and balance cabin layout
FBOs

Campaign Aims To Raise $1 Million for St. Jude

Visitors to Atlantic Aviation FBOs and FlightAware website are invited to participate
Cancer survivor Libby was treated at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Avionics

Thomas Global STCs Replacement for Pro Line 4 CRTs

Upgrade covers Challenger 604, G100/G200, Falcon 2000/2000EX/50EX, Saab 2000, and CRJs
CRJ with Thomas Global Systems LCD upgrade
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Gogo Releases Galileo Pricing, Begins Flight Testing

Galileo service on the Eutelsat OneWeb satellite constellation is set to begin later this year
Gogo Galileo on Challenger 300 business jet
Rotorcraft

Sasemar Awards Another 5-year SAR Contract to Avincis

The Avincis fleet used for the SAR contract includes Leonardo AW139s and Airbus H225s
Avincis Leonardo AW139 helicopter
Avionics

OpsGroup Releases GPS Spoofing Workgroup Report

A team of more than 950 people spent six weeks developing the report
Daily number of GPS spoofed aircraft incidents
Rotorcraft

Petroleum Air Expands Leonardo Helo Mx Capabilities

Egypt-based company is expanding in the Red Sea and Mediterranean
Vittorio Della Bella (left), Leonardo senior v-p helicopter customer support and training worldwide services, and Ehab Ali Abdel Maksoud, chairman and managing director, Petroleum Air Services.
Rotorcraft

Robinson Doubles Service Life on a Dozen R66 Helo Parts

Life extension will lower R66 helicopter operating costs by 6%
Robinson R66 helicopter
Rotorcraft

Bell Delivers Custom 505 to Brazil Auto Dealer

Helicopter's paint scheme matches that of the owner's Lamborghini Aventador
All Motors Brazil Bell 505
Maintenance and Modifications

New Ontic Investors Added, CVC Renews Investment

Plans call for continued growth to support OEMs' non-core aircraft
Gareth Hall Ontic CEO
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Light Airplane Flyers Report Cheaper Starlink Success 

Even a light jet owner claims to be running the low-cost version of the SpaceX satcom
Starlink Mini antenna
Rotorcraft

LCI Delivers Two AW139s to Babcock for EMS Operations

Striking flight path of the dragonfly motif was designed by Torres Strait Islander artist Alick Tipoti
Babcock EMS Leonardo AW139 helicopter
Accidents

Helo Accident Caused by Inadequate Engine Inspection

Six people were killed during a "Huey Reunion" event held in 2022
Marpat Aviation Bell UH-1B helicopter
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

FAA Proposes Special Conditions for Skyryse One STC

Requirements address certification for items not currently covered by existing regulations
Skyryse FlightOS automated flight control system in Robinson R66 helicopter
Avionics

Butler National Scores STC for G700 TXi in Lear 35/36

Installation provides improved situational awareness as well as touchscreen interface
Butler National Garmin TXi flight deck upgrade for Learjet 35/36 business jet
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Gogo and Skyservice Developing 5G STCs

Approvals cover a variety of business jet types in both Canada and the U.S.
Gogo Business Aviation coverage map
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Satcom Direct, DirecTV Collaborate on Bizav Live TV

The new IPTV service comes in two HD formats
DirecTV sports programming in flight
Accidents

Engine Failure Leads to Improved Inspection Process

Cracks occurred in an area that can't be seen without removing the spinner
NTSB report Rolls-Royce Tay engine damage from spinner separation
Avionics

Metroliner Approved for Genesys Digital Autopilot

Upgrade adds envelope protection and modern digital autopilot features
S-TEC 3100 digital autopilot certified in Metroliner aircraft
Maintenance and Modifications

Enstrom Holding Helicopter Mx Classes Next Month

Courses includes hands-on training with special tools
Enstrom Helicopter maintenance training class
Avionics

Honeywell Demos Details of Anthem Avionics Suite

An opportunity to fly the new avionics revealed some interesting developments
Honeywell's Anthem avionics-equipped Pilatus PC-12 airplane
Safety

European Air Ambulance Adds Second Challenger 605

Operation now flies five jets to rescue individuals and in partnership with other organizations
European Air Ambulance Bombardier Challenger 605
Maintenance and Modifications

Honda Aircraft Updates HondaJet Maintenance Program

More efficient maintenance scheme will increase aircraft availability
HondaJet maintenance
Accidents

Pilots Report Comms Failure in Citation X+ Crash

Both pilots survived after the jet was destroyed in a post-crash fire
Cessna Citation X+ business jet crash in Jamestown, New York
Rotorcraft

Light Jet Broker Aerocor Adds Helo Sales Division

Company is providing free information for potential light helicopter buyers
Devon Lyons, head of Aerocor's new helicopter sales division
Cabin Interior and Electronics

SmartSky Shuts Down Connectivity Network

Move leaves owners of SmartSky systems with orphaned hardware and no more service
Citation Excel
Maintenance and Modifications

Vance Street Capital Buys Aircraft Brake Maker APS

Acquisition moves VS Aviation into the PC-12 PMA brake market
Aviation Products Systems PMA brakes