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
Sokol trades raise auditor questions
Berkshire Hathaway’s audit committee claims that former NetJets chairman and CEO David Sokol violated “the highest standards of business ethics” maintained
Charter & Fractional
Sentient sees better-than-average growth
During the past year national charter brokerage firm Sentient Jet grew by 30 percent in revenue and charter leg spaces sold, according to Marty Guinoo, CEO
Lead emissions may lead to costly California lawsuits
The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) sent a notice of violation to oil companies and fuel supplier Avfuel, as well as to more than two dozen companies
Safety
Fit for Work: A simple test to spot fit fliers
Aviation is extraordinarily dependent on the performance of people who fly and maintain aircraft.
Avionics
Fusion TSO a major step for Rockwell Collins
The Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics system is “good to go,” reported chairman, president and CEO Clay Jones during an April 21 earnings call.
ATC
Cessna Chooses Aircell Aviator 300
Cessna Aircraft has selected Aircell’s Aviator 300 satcom system as optional equipment for the Citation XLS+, Sovereign and Citation X starting with 2012 m
ATC
ACSS TCAS Change 7.1 Approved in Europe
Early last month, the EASA granted European Technical Standard Order (ETSO) authorization for Change 7.1 software for ACSS’s TCAS 2000 and TCAS II.
ATC
Aviator 200 operational in Europe
Satcom1 is now providing Aviator 200 services in Europe and claims to be the first to do so.
ATC
Avidyne Obtains AML STC for TAS600
Avidyne’s TAS600 traffic advisory system has received an approved model list (AML) supplemental type certificate (STC) from the FAA, covering installation
Safety
WSI Reboots Pilotbrief with zippy features
On May 3, Weather Services International announced the launch of a new version of its online Pilotbrief weather information service, Pilotbrief Optima.
Avionics
EASy II offers major upgrade for Falcon fliers
As Honeywell’s Falcon 900 equipped with the new EASy II avionics upgrade flew solidly down the glideslope to Runway 23 at Morristown Airport in New Jersey,
Avionics
EASy II Pricing
Dassault Falcon declined to release pricing information on EASy II and its optional features.
Safety
CASS attendees share safety solutions
If there was any doubt that hundreds of safety-minded aviation professionals were in attendance during the second day of the 56th Annual Corporate Aviation
Avionics
Rockwell Collins HGS-3500 brings small HUD to smaller airplanes
For more than five years, Rockwell Collins engineers have been working on a tough challenge: how to make a compact head-up display (HUD) system, one that c
Aircraft
Gulfstream G250 Soars Ever Closer To Certification
Three super-midsize G250 flight-test airplanes have flown more than 1,150 hours and 400 flights, and the jet remains on schedule for certification later th
Safety
Hawker Beech Flight Ops Attains IS-BAO Registration
Hawker Beechcraft’s flight operations, including all of the company’s flight test, demonstration and corporate transport operations, have received registra
Aircraft
EBACE 2011: Honda Aircraft well on way to HondaJet certification
As the HondaJet enters the final phases of FAA and EASA certification, Honda Aircraft employees are preparing for volume production and first deliveries, s
EBACE 2011: Jetcraft sees sales soar
U.S.-based Jetcraft’s sales this year are heading toward the company’s busiest ever as it nears its golden anniversary.
Charter & Fractional
EBACE 2011: ACJC Delivers ACJ to Deer Jet
Beijing-based charter operator Deer Jet has taken delivery of Airbus Corporate Jet Centre’s first VIP cabin completion for a Chinese customer, which is als
Avionics
EBACE 2011: FAA Issues First STC for Fusion on Challenger 601
The FAA issued the first supplemental type certificate (STC) for the Pro Line Fusion avionics system, for installation on Rockwell Collins’s flight test Ch
Maintenance and Modifications
EBACE 2011: Jet Aviation Receives Completions Contract for BBJ2
Another Boeing BBJ2 is slated for completion at Jet Aviation Basel, following the signing of a new contract with an undisclosed client.
Maintenance and Modifications
EBACE 2011: Airbus Adds Comlux America as Approved U.S. Outfitter
Airbus announced that Comlux America has been appointed an Airbus cabin outfitter in the U.S., following a detailed audit of the Indianapolis, Indiana-base
Charter & Fractional
EBACE 2011: Comlux Middle East and Saudia Private Aviation Sign Charter Agreement
Comlux Middle East and Saudia Private Aviation have signed an agreement for joint development of charter business opportunities in the Middle East.
Aircraft
Conforming HondaJet Hits Max Speed and Altitude
Today at EBACE, Honda Aircraft said it has achieved new milestones during flight testing of the first conforming HondaJet (F1), which has reached a maximum
Maintenance and Modifications
EBACE 2011: Bombardier Adds More European Support Services
Avionics
EBACE 2011: Thrane and Thrane shows news handset at EBACE
Thrane & Thrane is demonstrating its new Aviator wireless handset here at EBACE (Stand 979) as well as the company’s full range of Aviator satcom systems,
Sojourn sets sight on international growth
Since former Hawker Beechcraft president of commercial sales Brad Hatt formed Sojourn Aviation last year, the company has quickly moved into diverse areas
ATC
EBACE 2011: Cessna Chooses Aircell Aviator 300
Cessna Aircraft has selected Aircell’s Aviator 300 satcom system as optional equipment for the Citation XLS+, Sovereign and Citation X starting with 2012 m
Avionics
EASy II brings synthetic vision, sat-based approaches to Falcons
Honeywell’s EASy II is a major upgrade from Dassault Falcon’s original EASy cockpit configuration based on Honeywell Primus Epic avionics.
