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
Avionics
FreeFlight ADS-B Receiver Gets FAA TSO
The FAA has issued TSO authorization for FreeFlight’s Rangr FDL-978TX ADS-B universal access transmitter,
Avionics
Gulfstream Selects GE’s Health-management Solution
GE Aviation has been awarded two contracts from Gulfstream Aerospace to provide integrated vehicle health management (IVHM) technology for the Gulfstream G
Avionics
Satcom 1 Simplifies Telecom Billing
Danish satellite communication service specialist Satcom 1 has launched Flight Billing to simplify and expedite billing for onboard satcom usage.
Avionics
Safe Flight Adds Speed Controls, Autothrottles
Safe Flight Instrument is celebrating its 65th anniversary with several new programs,
Aircraft
In the Works: Privateer Industries Privateer
The single-engine Privateer amphibian was to have flown earlier this year, but is currently still under construction, although now in the final assembly ph
Aircraft
In the Works: Piper Aircraft PiperJet Altaire
Shortly after Piper Aircraft posted billboards in Wichita advertising for engineers, the company suspended further development of the single-engine PiperJe
Regulations and Government
EU: Techs, Not Pilots, Update Nav Databases
The rules for aircraft registered in the European Union require that technicians perform database updates on aircraft that weigh more than 6,020 pounds.
AIN Blog: GPS Jammer Guy Touts Wares at Dubai Air Show
GPS and satcom jammer systems on display at Dubai Air Show
NBAA Releases Flight Expenses Handbook
The latest version of the NBAA Reimbursement of Flight Expenses for Owner-Pilots Handbook was released today.
Safety
Firebags Can Snuff Out Onboard Li-ion Battery Fires
The fiery failure of a lithium-ion battery powering an Apple iPhone 4 aboard Regional Express Flight ZL319 last Friday
Maintenance and Modifications
Sierra Industries Adds G1000 to Citation Mod Offerings
One of the aircraft parked at the NBAA static display at the Las Vegas Convention Center during the NBAA Convention in October was a highly modified Cessna
Avionics
FAA To Allow 135, 121 Pilot Updating of Nav Databases
The FAA is seeking comments on a proposed rule change that will allow pilots flying under commercial operating regulations to update navigation system data
California Lawsuit Loss Could Lead to Ban on Leaded Avgas
The battle over leaded avgas in California took a turn against a coalition of associations representing users
Avionics
HBC Offering Retrofits of Max-Viz EVS
Hawker Beechcraft is offering installation of Max-Viz EVS-1500 infrared enhanced vision systems (EVS) for the Hawker 750, 800, 850 and 900 series.
Avionics
U.S. Air Force Selects Cavu’s iPhone App
The U.S. Air Force has selected the EFB-Pro performance-calculating iPhone app for pilots of its fleet of C-21A Learjet 35As.
Avionics
iOS 5.0.1 Fixes Some iPad Aviation App Data Issues
Apple’s latest update to the iOS operating system–iOS 5.0.1–is expected to prevent some of the automatic data deletion problems that iPad users
Engines
CFM International Signs Garuda Indonesia as Newest Customer for LEAP-1A Engine
Garuda Indonesia has ordered CFM International’s Leap-1A engines to power the airline’s 10 Airbus A320neo jets–a deal worth $220 million.
Bombardier Support Team Has Middle East in Focus
Bombardier Aerospace is emphasizing at the Dubai Air Show this week the support that its Business Aircraft division is providing for local owners and oper
Middle East Business Aviation at “Crucial Stage,” Says MEBAA
The business aviation market in the Middle East is now at a crucial stage in its development.
Charter & Fractional
MEBAA Meeting Explores Mideast Bizav Issues
Regional business aviation companies met in Dubai today to share information and discuss issues at the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA)
Avionics
DAC Device Ports Aircraft Data to iPads
Greenwich AeroGroup subsidiary DAC International has created what it says is an “industry first” interface unit
Aircraft
G650 On Final Approach for Provisional Certification
Gulfstream Aerospace expects to receive provisional type certification (PTC) of its wide-cabin G650 this year–possibly by the end of this month–followed
AIN Blog: Inspiring Magazines Missing from Aviation Arena
Aviation publishers should join forces to create a compelling and inspiring annual publication for young people interested in aviation.
Aircraft
Eclipse Aerospace To Resume VLJ Production
Eclipse Aerospace announced at last month’s NBAA Convention that it is resuming new-build production of its iconic very light twinjet,
Aircraft
G650 On Track for Provisional Certification in 2011
Gulfstream's G650 is on track for provisional certification this year.
International Presence a Growing Factor at NBAA Convention
This year’s NBAA annual convention was bigger and better than last year’s,
2011 NBAA Convention Report
Las Vegas, the site of the 64th Annual NBAA Convention and Exhibition,
Avionics
XM In-flight Weather Lands on iPad
The recently released ForeFlight Mobile v4.2 iPad app now allows users to display XM WX inflight weather data overlaid on maps displayed on the ForeFlight
Maintenance and Modifications
FAA To Allow Pilots To Update Nav Databases
The FAA delivered some good news in a proposed rule change that will free operators from the burden of needing mechanics to update onboard navigation
