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
Aircraft
In The Works: Dornier Seaplane – Seastar CD2
Dornier’s twin-turboprop all-composite Seastar CD2 made its first appearance at the EAA AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wis., in July, the first stop in a tour
Aircraft
In The Works: Sky Aircraft – SK-105 Skylander
Sky Aircraft, based in Chambley in France’s Lorraine region, is part of GECI International, which also includes Reims Aviation, maker of the F406 twin turb
Aircraft
VLJs Neither ‘Revolutionary’ Nor ‘Disruptive’
The marketing hype surrounding very light jets (VLJs) has “largely subsided,” according to Brian Foley, president of business aviation consulting firm Bria
Regulations and Government
Accident prompts call for new birdstrike regs
The NTSB issued recommendations that the FAA revise birdstrike certification requirements and more carefully monitor charter operators following the Board’
NBAA Convention preview: Sputtering economy casts a shadow over this month’s event
This year’s 62nd National Business Aviation Association Annual Meeting & Convention (October 20 to 22) probably won’t exceed previous records, but later th
Aircraft
Phenom 100 owners gather, plan to form an association
A small group of Embraer Phenom 100 owners came together in Santa Barbara, Calif., on A
Aircraft
Eclipse Aero reopens factory, starts hiring, looks to future
The bankrupt status of Eclipse Aviation finally ended in August after Eclipse Aerospace bought the assets of the very light jet manufacturer for $40 millio
Environment
FAA issues guidance on biodiesel contaminant
The FAA’s recent special airworthiness information bulletin (SAIB: NE-09-25R1) regarding recommended safe-operating guidelines in the possible presence of
Environment
EAA AirVenture boosts recycling effort
The 578,000 or so people who attended this year’s EAA AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wis., consumed beverages contained in at least six tons of packaging.
FBOs
Jet Aviation Beijing in new digs
After joining the Phillips 66 aviation fuel dealer network, FBO and charter/management company Trego-Dugan Aviation announced that it is offering dou
Abbott named new ExecuJet FBO director
Jet Aviation’s Beijing, China, operation, a joint venture among Jet Aviation, Deer Air and Reach Investment established before last year’s Olympic Games, h
Regulations and Government
De-icing rule extension sought
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has joined with other aviation associations to ask the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a 60-da
FBOs
Air BP expands at five airports
Air BP Aviation Services has added five FBOs to its fuel dealer network, and all accept the Air BP Sterling Card.
FBOs
Sole FBO facility opens at new Missouri airport
It took just 22 months for the new airport in Branson, Mo., to be built, from the first movement of earth by McAninch Construction in July 2007 to the firs
Charter & Fractional
The Fractional Market
The recession has dealt an enormous blow to the fractional share industry.
FBOs
TAC Air plans new facility at Blue Grass Airport
The TAC Air chain, with 13 FBOs in the U.S., has broken ground on a new development at Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Ky.
FBOs
Sonic Jet now serving Afghanistan
For those who must travel to Afghanistan, handling company Sonic Jet is providing services at most of the country’s airports.
Airports
Kendall-Tamiami runway to grow
The 5,002-foot main runway at Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport in South Florida is finally going to be extended to 6,000 feet, thanks to a grant from the
Regulations and Government
NPRM streamlines rules for Part 23 certification
The FAA has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that will attempt to close some loopholes in the Part 23 regulations under which light jets and o
Charter & Fractional
Avantair Lowers Operating Loss, Logs EBITDA Profit
Fractional-share operator Avantair released its fiscal fourth-quarter financial results yesterday, which included growing revenues, declining operating los
ABACE Is Back on NBAA Show Schedule
NBAA will again host the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE) next January 18 and 19.
Security
Honeywell Gets FAA OK for Runway Safety Systems
Honeywell yesterday received TSO approval for SmartRunway and SmartLanding, which are both software upgrades for the company’s Mark V and Mark VII enhanced
Maintenance and Modifications
FAA Adds Jet Aviation Hong Kong as Repair Station
Jet Aviation Hong Kong was granted Part 145 repair station certification by the FAA, allowing the company to provide maintenance services on U.S.-registere
Maintenance and Modifications
LBAS Joint Venture Partners Agree to Extension
The three companies–Lufthansa Technik, Bombardier Aerospace and ExecuJet Aviation Group–that operate the joint venture Lufthansa Bombardier Aviation Servic
Maintenance and Modifications
Pama Board Moves Ahead on Strategic Plan
The board of directors of the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (Pama) is moving ahead with a strategic plan following Pama’s separation from t
Maintenance and Modifications
NATA: Database Updates Are Maintenance Tasks
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA), responding to recent member requests, issued a statement that clarifies FAA regulations that apply to u
Security
Proposed TSA Repair Station Rules Nearly Ready
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) “is one step closer to issuing security regulations for repair stations,” according to the Modification an
Charter & Fractional
Judge Orders FAA To Pay Air Trek Legal Expenses
On August 20, the FAA reinstated the air carrier operating certificate of Air Trek of Punta Gorda, Fla., after the charter operator fought for more than a
