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
Regulations and Government
Wrong ID of ‘Stolen’ Cessna Causes Gunpoint Drama
After landing at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport on August 28, King Schools owners John and Martha King were puzzled when ATC insisted that they taxi to a
Training and Workforce
Parrot Helps Pilots Transmit
King Schools, distributor for Redbird Flight Simulation’s desktop TD and TD2 flight training devices, demonstrated a new Redbird feature, the Parrot contex
Maintenance and Modifications
Aviation Partners Debuts Spiroid Winglets
Aviation Partners (API) broaught a Falcon 50 equipped with radical-looking spiroid winglets to AirVenture, the airplane’s first public appearance after a t
AirVenture 2010
EAA AirVenture, as usual, brought the aviation family together for another week of celebration, innovation and pure enjoyment at Wittman Regional Airport i
Safety
EFB-Pro software gets hot module
Cavu Companies has added a new hold-over time (Hot) module to its EFB-Pro performance software to help pilots ensure compliance with regulatory re quiremen
Rotorcraft
Santulli returns to bizav with leasing company
Richard Santulli, founder of fractional-share company NetJets, is back in the aviation business with a new business jet and helicopter leasing company call
Aircraft
Spectrum Aeronautical Slows Its Jet Programs
Spectrum Aeronautical has slowed development of the lightweight high-performance S.40 Freedom and S.33 Independence jets due to resource constraints.
Charter & Fractional
$65K Penalty Proposed for Flight Options Hazmat Violation
The FAA is seeking a $65,000 civil penalty from fractional-share operator Flight Options for shipping a package that leaked a hazardous material.
Training and Workforce
Upset Training Offered by Tucker/jetAviva Partnership
Sean Tucker’s Tutima Academy of Aviation Safety, which provides aerobatic and upset recovery training in King City, Calif., has partnered with light jet br
Regulations and Government
Former Tetraethyl Lead Exec Settles Bribery Case
A former business director of Innospec, the world’s only manufacturer of tetraethyl lead (TEL) used to boost octane in avgas, and a third-party agent for t
Aircraft
IAM Reopens Negotiations with Hawker Beechcraft
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers began contract negotiations with Hawker Beechcraft (HBC) today.
Accidents
Details of Roush Premier Crash Released
The NTSB has released the preliminary report on the crash of a Hawker Beechcraft Premier IA during the EAA AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wis.
Safety
FAA Policy Would Change Circuit Breaker Practices
The FAA has issued a draft policy memorandum that seeks to change attitudes about circuit breaker use in electrical systems and how pilots deal with popped
Safety
FAA Wants $580K Penalty from Hillsboro Aviation
The FAA is seeking a civil penalty of $580,000 from Hillsboro Aviation of Hillsboro, Ore., “for allegedly performing improper repairs, deliberately falsify
Airports
California Pols Seek Night Curfew at BUR, VNY
A recent letter sent by three California congressmen to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is asking for nighttime curfew legislation
Santulli Back in Bizjet Business
Richard Santulli announced today the launch of a new business jet and helicopter leasing company, Milestone Aviation Group, headquartered in Dublin, Irelan
Aircraft
Gulfstream, Mitsubishi, Bell Tops in AIN Support Survey
Readers placed Gulfstream on top in the annual AIN
Flight Attendants Conference 2010
The annual NBAA corporate flight attendants conference has grown steadily, and on June 24 through 26 celebrated its 15th year and a new name and focus as t
Charter & Fractional
Flexjet sees charter business grow during first half of 2010
Fractional share provider Bombardier Flexjet is celebrating its 15th year in operation.
Airports
Operators: DCA rules unworkable
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is interested in making it easier for corporate aircraft to use Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
FBOs
Vaisala gets FAA approval for aviment RVR unit
The FAA has placed a $2.7 million order for Vaisala’s new AviMet PC-based runway visual range (RVR) system, which the FAA recently approved for ATC use.
Airports
Survey highlights slim budgets for small-airport improvement
Another casualty of the economic downturn could be funding for necessary airport infrastructure projects, according to Kathryn Solee, director of operation
Touching Bases: DOT plans rulemaking to clarify role of charter brokers
The Department of Transportation is planning to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking later this year covering the activities of air charter brokers
Regulations and Government
Touching Bases: DOT plans rulemaking to clarify role of charter brokers
The Department of Transportation is planning to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking later this year covering the activities of air charter brokers
Regulations and Government
Touching Bases: DOT plans rulemaking to clarify role of charter brokers
The Department of Transportation is planning to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking later this year covering the activities of air charter brokers
FBOs
Touching Bases: Execujet opens office in Toluca
ExecuJet has opened an office at Toluca Airport in Mexico to support its maintenance, charter/management and sales activities.
Charter & Fractional
Touching Bases: Dozens of charter companies plan ACSF audits
The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) will conduct audits of 30 Part 135 charter operators this year, adding to the 12 that have thus far been audited.
Charter & Fractional
Touching Basesd: Solairus grows in the large-cabin market
Solairus Aviation has added six large-cabin jets to its managed charter aircraft portfolio, including a Gulfstream G550 and Bombardier Challenger 601-3R.
Touching Bases: Synergy adds EMS King Air in Malta
Patients needing aeromedical evacuation from North Africa can now take advantage of a Synergy Aviation Hawker Beechcraft King Air 200 based in Malta.
Airports
Touching Bases: Flightwork's chairman buys 100 percent of company stock
FlightWorks chairman Roderick O’Shea has purchased all outstanding shares of the company from Scott Beale and is now the sole shareholder of the Kennesaw,
