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
HUD Benefits Moving To Turboprops, Light Jets
Rockwell Collins announced the new smaller and lighter compact HGS-3500 head-up guidance system today at the FSF/NBAA Corporate Aviation Safety Seminar in
Charter & Fractional
ACSF Seeks Support for Single Audit Safety Standard
ACSF Seeks Support for Single Audit Safety Standard
The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) is trying to encourage charter and fractional operators
Maintenance and Modifications
NBAA Mx Management Conference Grows Again
NBAA’s 26th annual Maintenance Management Conference opened yesterday in San Diego, celebrating the contributions of flight department maintenance managers
Aircraft
AIN Blog: Warning: Airliner Lavatories no Longer Have O2 Supply
The FAA is abdicating its safety responsibility.
Avionics
Announced at AEA: new avionics extend cockpit capabilities
by Matt Thurber
Among the new products introduced at the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) International Convention & Trade Show on Marc
Environment
Rising fuel prices squeeze charter operators, FBOs
by Matt Thurber
For a pilot worried about whether the next bump in operating costs will be one more incentive for the boss to sell the airpla
Charter & Fractional
NetJets Places First-ever Bombardier Order
by Matt Thurber
NetJets, the Berkshire Hathaway-owned fractional-share operator, completed a purchase agreement early last month for up to 1
ATC
XM WX for iPad Gets Green Light
Pilots who use Apple’s iPad tablet computer have been lusting for one additional bit of functionality, in-flight weather data.
Charter & Fractional
Sources Say NetJets To Thrive After Surprise Sokol Exit
Yesterday’s announcement that NetJets chairman and CEO David Sokol resigned from
GV Copilot, Flight Attendant Freed by Congo
The copilot and flight attendant who were detained in the Democratic
Rotorcraft
Heli-Expo 2011 Breaks a Record
by Matt Thurber
Feedback from exhibitors at this year’s Helicopter Association International Heli-Expo show–the 63rd annual event–was notably
Charter & Fractional
JetDirect Estate Seeks Chapter 7 Clawback
The bankruptcy trustee for debtors associated with JetDirect Aviation filed a complaint on February 20 that could force FBOs, charter operators, mai
Charter & Fractional
Sokol Resigns as NetJets Leader
David Sokol has resigned from his job as chairman of several Berkshire Hathaway-owned companies, including fractional-share provider NetJets.
Aircraft
In the Works: Gulfstream G250
As engineers design more structural components using composite materials, the resin transfer molding (RTM) process is seeing increased use in business jets
AIN Blog: iPads Are Missing in the World of Aircraft Simulation
The rapid uptake of Apple’s iPad into business and even commercial aviation cockpits has been stunning.
Aircraft
In the Works: Cirrus Vision SF50
Avionics
Cool City Building Low-cost Helicopter Autopilots
Jim Irwin has launched a new company that is targeting the light helicopter autopilot market.
Touchscreen Control Comes to New Garmin G2000
The move to touchscreen control of avionics gained speed today with Garmin’s announcement of the G2000 integrated flight deck, featuring its GTC 570 vehicl
SMS: FAA Folly or Beneficial Concept?
Feedback on my safety management system article in AIN’s March 2011 issue
Avionics
Wi-Fi Tests Result in Screen Blanking
According to Honeywell, tests during installation of a Wi-Fi system in an airliner found that LCDs in the airplane experienced a “momentary blanking… when
ADS-B is coming, like it or not
by Matt Thurber
Mention ADS-B in a group of pilots and the likely result is puzzled looks and a change of subject.
Avionics
Garmin digital audio panel features 3-D audio
Garmin unveiled the GMA350-series digital audio panel last month with two unique new features for aviation: voice-recognition controls and 3-D audio.
Avionics
New Avionics Abound at Reno AEA Show
At the AEA show yesterday, Universal Avionics announced it is now taking orders for its next-ge
Avionics
Voice Coming Soon to Aircell Airborne Broadband
At the AEA show yesterday, Aircell unveiled upcoming voice capability for its Go
Avionics
Garmin’s New Touchscreen Navcoms Wow AEA Crowd
Long-awaited successors to the 14-year-old Garmin GNS 430/530-series navcoms were unveiled yesterday at the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) show in
Charter & Fractional
JetDirect Estate Seeks Chapter 7 Clawback
The bankruptcy trustee for debtors associated with JetDirect Aviation
Charter & Fractional
Congo Copilot and Flight Attendant Freed, Flying Home
The copilot and flight attendant who were
Heli-Expo 2011 Breaks Previous Show Records
The Helicopter Association International’s 2011 Heli-Expo show, which closes today, looks to have exceeded expectations, with exhibitors, attendees and ord
