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
Conklin marks 25th here
Aviation consultancy Conklin & de Decker Aviation Information is marking its 25th anniversary at Heli-Expo by donating $2,500 to the Helicopter Foundat
Aircraft
Honda Aircraft – HondaJet
The first production conforming HondaJet is now scheduled to fly in the middle of this year, at a date yet to be determined, according to a Honda Aircraft
Aircraft
Hawker Beechcraft – Premier II
The updated version of the Premier was expected to fly in December but that has been moved to this month, according to Hawker Beechcraft.
Aircraft
Gippsland Aeronautics – Airvan GA10
Australia’s Gippsland, which is in the process of bringing the twin turboprop Nomad back into production as the Airvan GA24, has cut metal on the Airvan GA
Embraer – Legacy 450, 500
The next new aircraft development program for Embraer comprises the Legacy 450 and 500, and as initial parts begin manufacture, Embraer is testing manufact
Aircraft
Evektor – EV-55 Outback
In mid-December Evektor ran the EV-55 Outback’s Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-21 engines for the first time.
Rolls-Royce's next-gen engines just rolling along
The ongoing worldwide need for helicopters of all types that serve diverse industry and government segments is helping keep manufacturers like Rolls-Royce
Eagle 407 soars with Honeywell engine
Alberta, Canada-based Eagle Copters has an impressive engine modification to show Bell 407 pilots, operators and owners at Heli-Expo 2010.
Program Update: PWC PW210S on track for certification
Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) has two helicopter engine programs nearing the final stages of development and both remain on schedule.
Aircraft
Conforming HondaJet First Flight Moved to Mid-year
The first conforming HondaJet is now scheduled to fly in the middle of this year, according to a Honda Aircraft spokesman, “with the exact date to be deter
Aircraft
Eastham Complaint Alleges Runaway Premier 1A Trim
Eastham Aviation, a Houston owner of a Hawker Beechcraft Premier 1A, filed a complaint against Hawker Beechcraft on January 19, asking for the manufacturer
Aircraft
787 program now on track
For Boeing employees watching the first flight of the 787 Dreamliner on December 15, there was a palpable sense of relief and joy when test pilots Mike Car
FBOs
Touching Bases: Phenom Operator FlairJet Earns Air Operator Certificate
FlairJet, based at London Oxford Airport, has been issued an air operator’s certificate and is the first European company to get approval to fly charters i
Charter & Fractional
Touching Bases: Sky Limo Charter Sees Growth
Unlike many charter operators that saw revenues decline last year, Sky Limo Air Charter revenues grew during 2009, to more than $6 million before November,
Charter & Fractional
Touching Bases: Charter Operators Earn ARG/US platinum Rating
During the last quarter of last year, ARG/US International added 18 charter operators to its Platinum rating system, bringing the total number of operators
FBOs
Touching Bases: Pentastar Adds Jobs, Aircraft
Pentastar Aviation, headquartered at Oakland County International Airport in Waterford, Mich., has weathered the past year’s economic turmoil and added 11
FBOs
Touching Bases: Key Ais Recapitalizes Debt
Charter/management and FBO company Key Air completed an arrangement in December to recapitalize its debt.
FBOs
Touching Bases: New FBO at Spirit of St. Louis
Aero Charter Jet Center recently completed a 30,000-sq-ft concrete ramp expansion at Spirit of St.
Airports
Touching Bases: Telluride Runway Work Continues
Although the reconstruction of Telluride Regional Airport’s runway was completed late last year, Phase III work is under way and should be finished this ye
Airports
Touching Bases: EBAA Adds New Committee for Airports and Handling
The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) has launched an airports, handling and ground operations committee (AHGOC).
FBOs
Touching Bases: Fuel-Shopping Software Adds New Features
Global Aviation of Hillsboro, Ore., has enhanced its online fuel-shopping software by adding a customized Dega Tech/FuelerLinx platform.
FBOs
Touching Bases: Atlantic Aviation Offers its Own IPhone App
Atlantic Aviation has jumped on the iPhone bandwagon and now offers a free iPhone application allowing customers to access information about the Atlantic F
FBOs
Touching Bases: Open House at Hobby’s 1940 Air Terminal
Houston Hobby Airport’s March 20 Wings & Wheels Open House is hosting Cessna Day and an AOPA-sponsored Let’s Go Flying! event.
FBOs
Touching Bases: GlobalAir Adds FBO Ratings
GlobalAir.com’s Airport Resource Center now allows users to view and add rankings for FBOs using a five-star scale.
FBOs
Touching Bases: Midwest Opens Tees Valley FBO
Midwest Executive Aviation is expanding with a new FBO and business aviation center at Durham Tees Valley Airport in the UK.
Regulations and Government
Touching Bases: EPA Delays Comment Period for De-icer Guidelines
The comment period for the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed de-ice effluent limitations guidelines has been extended to February 26, thanks to ef
Regulations and Government
Touching Bases: Banyan Welcomes Fliers Bound for the Bahamas
Banyan Air Service is hosting Bahamas Day on February 20 from 9 a.m.
Airports
Touching Bases: Santa Monica Friends to Testify
The court overseeing the attempt by the City of Santa Monica, Calif., to
FBOs
Touching Bases: Avfuel Adds Two Centers
Million Air Moses Lake and Scottsdale AirCenter have joined the Avfuel network.
FBOs
Touching Bases: Panorama Renovates Lobby, Ramp at Westchester facility
Panorama Flight Service at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, N.Y., completed a major renovation of its FBO and held a celebration to mark the occ
