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
R66 shines in the details
The obvious difference between the piston-powered R44 and the turbine-powered R66 is the engine, but there are other features that make the R66 an entire
The Most Gorgeous Thing, Ever
Anyone who knows me well can verify that I married a great-looking lady; the fairest in all the land, in my eyes.
Garmin reveals digital audio panel
Garmin yesterday unveiled the GMA 350 series digital audio panel for helicopters and fixed-wing applications, with two unique new features for aviation, vo
Heli-Expo 2011: Turbomeca sees challenge and opportunity in China
Turbomeca chairman and CEO Pierre Fabre knows that for his company to grow and prosper, it is not only necessary to sell engines to helicopter manufacturer
News note
Dart Helicopter Services (Booth Nos.
Aspen's glass cockpit helicopter market expanding
Aspen Avionics has moved aggressively into the helicopter marketplace and is displaying its Evolution flight display glass cockpit systems in three helico
CAE's AS350 simulator promotes realistic training
CAE’s new 3000-series helicopter simulator brings an extraordinary amount of realism into what is essentially a computer-driven replica of a Eurocopter AS3
Rotorcraft
Orlando Readies for Rotorcraft Roundup
From avionics manufacturers targeting the rotorcraft market to new helicopter programs, this year's Heli-Expo is shaping up to be a busy show.
Charter & Fractional
NetJets Places First-ever Bombardier Order, and It’s a Big One
NetJets, the Berkshire Hathaway-owned fractional-share operator, completed a purchase agreement late last night for up to 120 new Bombardier Global jets, a
Aircraft
China Firm To Buy Cirrus Aircraft
Cirrus Aircraft president and CEO Brent Wouters announced yesterday morning that China Aviation Industry General Aircraft (Caiga) has signed an agreement t
Can general aviation reverse its decline?
There are varying perspectives on whether general aviation (GA) is declining or poised for a renaissance generated by new interest in light sport aircraft
General aviation proves its value
General aviation is an extraordinary industry with a terrible appellation.
Maintenance and Modifications
Snap-on system tracks tools, prevents FOD
Most mechanics are familiar with the Snap-on tool truck that arrives weekly at the maintenance hangar, dispensing not only shiny and traditional wrenches a
Engines
Shortage of TPE331 Parts Affecting Operators
Operators and service centers of Honeywell TPE331-powered aircraft are reporting lengthy delays for delivery of engine parts.
ATC
Should all UAVs Be Equipped with Transponders?
Manufacturers of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) may no longer have an excuse not to equip their aircraft with transponders, which should make at least one
ATC
FAA Awards Operational Cert for Falcon 7X EVS
The FAA issued operational certification for the Dassault Falcon 7X enhanced vision system (EVS), which will allow pilots who have completed the required t
Civil Helo Market Poised To Resume Climbing
As the annual Heli-Expo convention prepares to open on March 6, analyst Brian Foley of Brian Foley Associates is predicting that the civil helicopter marke
Charter & Fractional
EJM Gains FAA Authorization for iPad EFB
The FAA has authorized Executive Jet Management (EJM) to replace paper terminal charts with Apple iPad-based Class 1 electronic flight bags (EFBs) running
Charter & Fractional
Gulfstream V Stuck in Congo
A Gulfstream V managed by New York City-based Arcadia Aviation was seized last week in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and the flight crew and
Heli-Expo preview
Heli-Expo returns to Orlando, Fla., March 5 to 8, bringing together more than 17,000 participants, 600 exhibitors and 65 helicopters in the spacious Orange
Avcorp Work Moving Back to Cessna, Other Suppliers
Structural assembly work done by Canada-based Avcorp will be transitioned back to Cessna facilities and other suppliers, according to a Cessna spokesman.
Aircraft
Funding facilitates Stratos 714 tunnel tests
Stratos Aircraft has received some external funding and in April and May will conduct wind-tunnel tests of a scale model of the four- to five-place single-
ATC
FCC Rescinds 121.5 ELT Prohibition
At the request of the FAA, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on January 11 rescinded its rule prohibiting the “certification, manufacture,
N-Jet Receives FAA OpsSpec for iPad in Cockpit
Chicago-based charter/management provider N-Jet has started using Apple iPads for in-flight display of approach plates.
Aircraft
In the Works: Dassault SMS
In the Works: Bombardier Learjet 85
Bombardier is leveraging its developing expertise in composite wing construction at its Belfast, Ireland facility to manufacture major wing structure for t
