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
OEMs Attack FAA-approved PMA Parts in Data Licenses
Operators that subscribe to Goodrich-Messier publications must sign an agreement that precludes the use of FAA-approved wheel and brake parts manufactured
Maintenance and Modifications
Hawker Beech Services Returning to Northeast U.S.
After years with no factory-owned service center in the Northeast U.S., Hawker Beechcraft (HBC) has finalized an agreement to open a facility at New Castle
Maintenance and Modifications
Goodrich-Messier License Bars Use of FAA-approved Parts
Operators that subscribe to Goodrich-Messier publications must sign an agreement that precludes the use of FAA-approved wheel and brake parts manufactured
ATC
NextGen benefits are coming, slowly but surely
Despite all the fits and starts, NextGen in the U.S.
Bombardier’s Belfast facility preparing for composite wing manufacturing
In a large building in Belfast near where thousands of hard-working laborers hammered thick steel plates to massive ribs and fittings using thumb-size rive
Cobham Wins STC for AS350, EC130 HeliSAS
The FAA awarded an STC to Cobham for installation of its HeliSAS autopilot and stability augmentation system on Eurocopter’s AS350 and EC130.
Aspen Avionics Adds EASA STCs
The Aspen Avionics Evolution primary flight display system received EASA STCs for installation in the Pilatus PC-6 and Beechcraft Bonanza 33, 35 and 36 ser
FAA Outlines Paths to In-Flight iPad Operations
The FAA has outlined its official policy toward use of Apple iPads and other tablet computers as Class 1 electronic flight bags (EFBs) in an Information fo
Hubbard Gulfstream GII/III Hushkit OK’d by EASA
The EASA certified the Hubbard Aviation Technologies QS3 hushkit system for the Gulfstream II, IISP, IIB and III as meeting Chapter 3 noise requirements.
Accidents
Liberty Bell B-17 Burns after Forced Landing
The NTSB is investigating the forced landing of a vintage B-17 Flying Fortress near Aurora Municipal Airport in Illinois last month.
Airports
FBO Profile: New airport offers alternative for Austin flyers
On June 8, the new Austin Executive Airport (KEDC) and its Henriksen Jet Center FBO held a grand-opening celebration.
Transport Canada Certifies Global Vision Cockpit
Bombardier’s Global Vision cockpit for the Global 5000 and 6000 (formerly XRS) received certification from Transport Canada, although advanced features suc
In the Works July 2011: Dassault Falcon 2000S
Dassault unveiled the Falcon
Aircraft
In The Works July 2011: Honda Aircaft HondaJet
Honda Aircraft has achieved new milestones during flight testing of the first FAA-conforming HondaJet (F1), including reaching a maximum speed of 425 knots
Aircraft
In The Works July 2011: Embraer Legacy 450/500
The first flight of the midsize Legacy 500 remains on schedule for the second half of this year and will take place at Embraer’s facility in São José dos C
Charter & Fractional
Meeting outlines ACSF audit standard goals
Fourteen charter operators and four auditing companies met early last month to discuss whether there should be a single audit standard for the charter and
Security
Vague GAO Report Fails To Address Security Risk Issue
10:30 6-21-2011
In response to a Senate committee request, the U.S.
Paris 2011: CRJ1000 enjoying excellent service record
Bombardier’s largest regional airliner–the CRJ1000 NextGen (until the CSeries enters service in 2013)–has made a nearly flawless since entry into service l
Paris 2011: Bombardier Belfast finalizing composite wing manufacturing facilities
In a large building in Belfast very near where thousands of laborers hammered thick steel plates to massive ribs and fittings using thumb-size rivets to bu
Paris 2011: Hampson gains new tooling, manufacturing contracts
Hampson Industries is enjoying a string of new contracts and ongoing programs that will help the U.S.
Paris 2011: Esterline CMC shows glass cockpits, FMS and EFBs
At this year’s Paris Air Show, Esterline CMC Electronics (Hall 5 Stand 242) is showing, for the first time, the Cockpit 9000 avionics suite selected as an
Maintenance and Modifications
Hubbard’s QS3 Gulfstream II/III Hushkit OK’d by EASA
The EASA has certified the Hubbard Aviation Technologies QS3 hushkit system for the Gulfstream II, IISP, IIB and III as meeting Chapter 3 noise requirement
Avionics
Honeywell Tenders Buy Offer To EMS Technologies
Honeywell announced yesterday that it offered to acquire EMS Technologies for $491 million, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals.
FBOs
Henriksen Opens New GA Airport in Austin
A big celebration was held for an unusual event yesterday, the grand opening of a new general avia
AIN Blog: Dassault’s 7X Grounding Is a Safety Milestone
Dassault Aviation’s grounding on May 26 of the entire 112-aircraft Falcon 7X fleet because of a runaway trim incident is extraordinary in many ways.
Charter & Fractional
End of an Era As Arcadia Aviation Closes Doors
The final chapter in the storied history of a series of well known companies came to an end Tuesday when Arcadia Aviation, an aircraft charter/management c
Aircraft
HBC Signals Growing Interest in China Manufacturing
Hawker Beechcraft (HBC) is holding preliminary discussions about expanding manufacturing operations into China, according to a company spokeswoman, who con
