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
Maintenance and Modifications
Component Maker Dukes Sold to TransDigm Group
TransDigm Group has agreed to buy most of the assets of Dukes and Dukes subsidiary GST Industries for about $96 million in cash, according to TransDigm.
Engines
GE Picks Premier Turbines for M601/H80 Service
GE Aviation, which bought Walter Engines last year, has selected Premier Turbines as a designated repair center in North and South America for the M601 and
Maintenance and Modifications
Hawker Beech Charging for Older-aircraft Tech Advice
Hawker Beechcraft late last week took the wraps off a new program designed
Maintenance and Modifications
Skytech Celebrates Opening of New Service Center
Skytech, which has long been based at Martin State Airport in Baltimore, has moved its maintenance facility to Carroll County Airport in Westminster, Md.
Training and Workforce
SimCom Adds Mitsubishi MU-2 Maintenance Training
SimCom Training Centers is now offering a week-long maintenance training course for the MU-2 turboprop, to be held at MU-2 service centers in the U.S.
Safety
NTSB Data Show Loose Line a Common Crash Cause
On November 1, a Bell LongRanger operated by Rotorcraft Leasing was taking off from oil-drilling platform High Island A442A in the Gulf of Mexico en route
Regulations and Government
Poor Morale an Ongoing FAA Problem, Says GAO
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report last month highlighting continuing mo
Regulations and Government
Comments on 145 Security Proposal Mostly Negative
After the Transportation Security Administration issued a notice of proposed rulemaking for FAA-certified Part 145 repair station security on November 17,
Maintenance and Modifications
Premier Aircraft 50Dash4 Falcon Gets EASA OK
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has certified Premier Aircraft’s 50Dash4 upgrade of the Falcon 50.
Charter & Fractional
Madoff Charter Company Declares Bankruptcy
Swindler Bernard Madoff’s charter company, BLM Air Charter, filed for voluntary bankruptcy (Chapter 11) in the U.S.
Aircraft
Paris Jet, the first VLJ, is revived
The world’s first production and certified very light jet, the Morane Saulnier MS760 Paris Jet, has a new lease on life.
FBOs
FBO PROFILE: Great Circle Flight Services, Anchorage
After nearly 30 years working in aviation in Alaska, mostly for airlines and in the fueling business, Louis Jennings got the opportunity to join the genera
Environment
GFK signs fuel deal with Hiller Group
GFK Flight Support at Mark Andrews International Airport in Grand Forks, N.D., has signed with The Hiller Group to supply the FBO with Phillips 66 fuel and
Training and Workforce
Chevron adds new training topic
Chevron has unveiled the newest topic in its online FBO training series, titled Refueler Operator Training.
Airports
AOPA seeks status in SMO noise dispute
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has submitted a motion to serve as a friend of the court in the City of Santa Monica’s appeal to uphold i
FBOs
10 FBOs to receive appreciation plaques
The Wings Club presented a $25,000 donation to the Corporate Angel Network (CAN) at the club’s 67th annual dinner dance on October 23 at New York City’s Wa
Airports
Ocala Business Park plans unveiled
In October, officials of Ocala, Fla., unveiled plans for the Ocala Business Park at Ocala International Airport/Jim Taylor Field.
FBOs
Customs available at Ocean Sky
The Ocean Sky FBO at London Luton Airport offers customs and immigration clearance, thanks to a UK Border and Immigration Agency agreement to provide dedic
Airports
TEB group seeks new ATC tower
The Teterboro Airport Industry Working Group sent a letter to the FAA requesting increased priority from the agency for building a new ATC tower at the bus
FBOs
Signature upgrades Gatwick FBO
Signature Flight Support completed a major renovation of its London Gatwick FBO, enhancing the facility with modern décor featuring warm solid woods, new w
Aircraft
In the works: Viking Aircraf, DHC-6-400 Twin Otter
Viking Aircraft’s modern upgrade of the Twin Otter has entered the final phase of testing and is slated for certification shortly.
Aircraft
In the works: Aerion, Supersonic business jet
At last month’s Dubai Air Show, Aerion reiterated its ongoing efforts to find a manufacturing and development partner for its nascent supersonic business j
Aircraft
In the works: Spectrum Aeronautical, S.40 Freedom
Spectrum Aeronautical has delayed first flight of its S.40 Freedom lightweight midsize twinjet to late next year.
Aircraft
In The Works: Piper Aircraft, PiperJet
Change has come fast and furious at Piper Aircraft during the past year, with sale of the company to Imprimis by majority owner American Capital in May, fo
Airports
FAA vetoes Burbank noise curfew
On October 30 the FAA rejected the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority’s application for a nighttime noise curfew.
Maintenance and Modifications
Cessna brings mx to Citation operators
With Cessna’s new Service Direct by Citation, the company’s product-support experts have devised a way to extend Cessna-brand maintenance services to custo
Regulations and Government
FAA mulled $100M deal for Tag/AMI
The FAA considered trying to extract $100 million from Tag Aviation during its investigation of the firm in 2007 before revoking the charter company’s oper
Charter & Fractional
Charter firm SATSair shuts down
The recession appears to have claimed another victim, charter operator SATSair, which
