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

Maintenance and Modifications

Gulfstream Adds Repair and Overhaul Facility in Dallas-Fort Worth Area

Specializes in component services
Gulfstream Texas MRO
Avionics

David Clark’s New Jet-X Headset Lands at NBAA-BACE

Offers lightweight fit with little clamping pressure
David Clark Jet-X headset
Cabin Interior and Electronics

SmartSky Resurrected as Apcela ATG

The restored air-to-ground connectivity network has new cybersecurity features
SmartSky gear
Maintenance and Modifications

Camp Systems, West Star Partner on AI Operations Manager

Artifical intelligence tool will help MROs improve opertaions and business efficiency
Camp Systems and West Star AI ops manager
Cabin Interior and Electronics

ACI Jet Completes CMS Install, Signs for ILS SalesEdge

Installation modernizes the jet without compromising existing woodwork
Challenger 605
Charter & Fractional

Lone Mountain Travel Picks Moove AI Booking Tool

Arrangements made on behalf of Big Sky resorts and ranches
Moove and Lone Mountain Travel
Maintenance and Modifications

Jets MRO Puts Aircraft Mechanics’ Needs as Top Priority

Dallas-based company’s low turnover keeps maintenance work on time
Jets MRO
Maintenance and Modifications

Blackhawk Gets FAA Approval for TBM 700 Engine Upgrade

XP66D package adds 150 shp and improved climb and cruise performance
Blackhawk modified TBM 700
Maintenance and Modifications

Maintenance Track Participants Earn IA Renewal Credits

Five maintenance-related sessions will meet the eight-hour training requirement
Crowds at NBAA-BACE exhibit floor
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Airmont Adds DirecTV’s JetVision to IFE Portfolio

System improves efficiency and reduces bandwidth needed for live television
Airmont
Maintenance and Modifications

Lithium Battery STCs Underway for Popular Bizjets

Approvals due next year for various Bombardier and Gulfstream models
True Blue Power TB50 lithium-ion battery
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

VanAllen Acquires Bizav Specialist Essex Aviation

Combination strengthens consulting services offered by both companies
Jeff Agur and Lee Rohde
Regulations and Government

H3R Aviation Solves Halon Replacement Problem

Halotron BRx is a suitable replacement but costs four to five times as much
H3R Aviation fire extinguishers
FBOs

Business Jet Continues Growth at Dallas Love Field

Full-service provider's hangar space covers nearly 500,000 sq ft
Business Jet hangar expansion at Love Field (KDAL) in Dallas.
Avionics

ForeFlight Features Are Popular Among Bizav Pilots

Operators are using the Dispatch tool and mobile app for a variety of planning and in-flight tasks
oreFlight dynamic procedures
Operations

Aircraft Owner Groups Deliver Many Benefits for Members

Recent developments include new insurance underwriters targeting safety-minded owners
Piper M-Class Owners & Pilots
Rotorcraft

Heli Austria Picks Thales/StandardAero StableLight Autopilot

Four-axis system will help pilots reduce risk in critical phases of flight
StableLight autopilot in H125
Maintenance and Modifications

Aero Star Aviation Introduces AI Maintenance Assistant

Virtual assistant “Ava” is designed to reduce downtime and boost accuracy and efficiency
Ava AI maintenance assistant
Training and Workforce

Omni, Unlimited Aerobatics Partner on UPRT Training

First implementation of advanced upset prevention and recovery training in Portugal
Omni Aviation Training Center and Unlimited Aerobatics
Cabin Interior and Electronics

ATG’s AerLuxe Offers Multi-window Shade Solution

Includes electronic controls and connections to maintenance and cabin management systems
AerLuxe window shades
Avionics

SkyRecon Launches Multi-protocol Live Traffic Display

Device uses more than 15 traffic protocols to show a variety of aircraft types
SkyRecon
Maintenance and Modifications

ASI Adds Ultrasonic Testing and New Product Lines

Gripedge tools and PM Research PMA products are now available
Aviation Specialities NDT
Maintenance and Modifications

PC-24 Adopts AeroSync Max for Flight Data Connectivity

This is the first fixed-wing application for the Astronautics system
Pilatus PC-24
Maintenance and Modifications

Plane Place Aviation Is the Place for Hawker Parts and Maintenance

Based in Cleburne, Texas, the company has carved out an independent niche
Place Place Aviation
Maintenance and Modifications

Duncan Preps To Open P&WC PW300/PW500 Overhaul Facility

Operations begin in November and project completion should take place in April 2026
Duncan Aviation DOF
Training and Workforce

GLADA Launches Aircraft Sales Broker Training Program

New members will have one year from joining to complete the training
Safety

NBAA, VAI Critical of FAA Part 108 BVLOS Drone Rule

Electronic conspicuity is needed but there is no widespread agreement on technology standards
Article image
Safety

FAA Publishes New D.C.-area Helicopter Route Charts

Notes added to clarify altitude and operational instructions
DCA chart changes
Aircraft

Fun Times Flying a Classic Lear 23

Jim Donovan’s historic jet joined the NBAA-BACE Tribute to Flight Pavilion
Lear 23
Aircraft

Archer and Joby Demonstrate eVTOL Flight at Salinas Airshow

Both electric aircraft were extremely quiet as they flew over the Salinas Airport runways
Joby eVTOL aircraft