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

Brelyon Displays Solve VR Motion Sickness Problem

A significant number of people feel motion sickness with virtual reality headsets
Brelyon's Ultra Reality Extend display
Security

Oregon Airport Breach Results in Suspect’s Arrest

North Bend Police charged trespasser with 17 counts
Airport operations at Southwest Oregon Regional Airport
Aircraft

AI Accelerates Otto Aerospace Phantom 3500 Aerodynamics

Optimizes laminar-flow design of the clean-sheet jet
Otto Aerospace Phantom 3500
Maintenance and Modifications

Mission Aviation Adopts ELMS Compliance Solution

System makes it easier to ensure training requirements are met
David Moiti, MAF Uganda training manager
Maintenance and Modifications

SMS Due for U.S. Repair Stations Holding EASA Approval

Deadline is approaching rapidly, and experts worry that repair stations are not ready
Maintenance technician working on airplane
Training and Workforce

TRU's Veris VR Simulator Gains FAA Qualification

Bell Training Academy is the launch customer for the Veris simulator
TRU Veris flight simulator
Maintenance and Modifications

Avcon Approved for Non-Halon Extinguishers in Learjets

Halotron BrX replacement units are size-equivalent and weigh about the same
Halotron fire extinguisher
Accidents

Naples Accident Docket Reveals Focus on Hung Starts

Crashed jet’s engine data appeared to mirror hung start characteristics
Challenger 604 crash data
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Phoenix Air Installs Government Starlink on Learjet

Starshield system provides real-time connectivity for military missions
Phoenix Air Group Starshield installation team
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

Class A Launches New Underwriter, Partners with CJP

Data-driven approach to coverage will reward pilots for continuous training and safety focus
Class A Insurance
Rotorcraft

Robinson Helicopter Celebrates R22 50th Anniversary

Founder’s basement project spawned one of the most prolific helicopter manufacturers
Frank Robinson, founder of Robinson Helicopter
Maintenance and Modifications

Aerox Acquires Gas Cylinder Manufacturer N23D Services

Company’s products equip airline, business aviation, and military aircraft
N23D cylinders
Rotorcraft

Rotortrade Africa Market Analysis Sees Growth Potential

Humanitarian agencies are relying less on Russia-built rotorcraft
Henley Air, South Africa
ATC

DEF CON Talk Warns of ATC Voice Cloning ‘Nightmare’

Audio engineer demonstrates how easy it is to replicate controllers’ voices
Air traffic control voice cloning
Training and Workforce

Loft Dynamics Funding Raise To Support VR Sim Programs

Company plans to accelerate programs that serve airlines and helicopter operators
Loft Dynamics virtual reality flight simulator
Maintenance and Modifications

Savvy’s Anomaly Detection Uses AI To Analyze Engines

System will help discover problems that can then be addressed by human experts
Cirrus SR22 airplane
Avionics

Acron Awarded Standby Display Contract for USCG Jayhawk

U.S. Coast Guard deal has option years that run though 2030
Sikorsky MH-60T Jayhawk
Rotorcraft

Robinson Taking in Trades on New Helicopters

Program helps buyers upgrade to the latest technology and safety features
Robinson R44
Avionics

Elliott Aviation Completes 5th G600 TXi CJ Installation

Company says it has installed the most Garmin upgrades of any dealer
Elliott installed Garmin G600 TXi display and GFC 600 autopilot in a Cessna CitationJet.
Operations

Surf Air Second-quarter Revenue and Losses Climb

Adjusted EBITDA drop exceeded company’s expectations
Surf Air Cessna Caravan airplane
Rotorcraft

Arcadea Buys Maintenance Software Provider ADSoftware

Combination creates "one-stop" solution for operations and maintenance
Vellox senior leadership team
Cabin Interior and Electronics

BizjetMobile Certus Satcom Available for U.S. Aircraft

Installation in a Gulfstream GIV-SP completed by Prodigious Jet Services
BizjetMobile satellite communications
Rotorcraft

ODAV, Yamaha Exploring Uncrewed Helo for Fire Response

Agreement covers evaluation of Fazer SAR to help mitigate wildfires
Yamaha Fazer SAR uncrewed helicopter
Maintenance and Modifications

Williams Adds Arizona Blackhawk Center for FJ33 Service

Facility is the only one in Arizona authorized to service Vision Jet engine
Cirrus SR and Vision Jet airplanes flying in formation
Maintenance and Modifications

Signia Adds Precise Flight to Aerospace Family

Company joins Hartzell Propeller and other familiar names
Precise Flight birdstrike prevention
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Asia Corporate Jet Adding Starlink to Charter Fleet

Installation is underway on first aircraft, with the rest to be done in phases
Asia Corporate Jet's Gulfstream G450 business jet
Aircraft

Safety Technology Satisfies Cirrus Aircraft Buyers

Latest development is autoland for piston-powered SR series
Cirrus SR22T at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
Avionics

Epic Certifies Weather Radar for E1000 Turboprops

Addition of radome didn’t affect cruise performance
Epic E1000 AX airplane with Garmin GWX 8000 weather radar
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

Tariffs Force Pilatus Aircraft To Pause U.S. Deliveries

Services provided to customers will continue
Pilatus PC-12 PRO
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

NetJets, FlightSafety Intl Revenues Climb 9.6% in Q2

Gains came from more aircraft in shared aircraft ownership programs and in-flight hours across NetJets
Phenom 300 (Photo: NetJets)