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

Eclipse Investor Bankrupt

Anyone attempting to view information on the Web site of European Technology and Investment Research Center (Etirc) will find what looks like a television
Maintenance and Modifications

Owners search for way to keep Eclipses flying

Although a number of
Aircraft

Demise of Eclipse opens the field for mx service

The current status of the 259 Eclipse 500 very light jets that were delivered before the manufacturer went bankrupt in February remains tenuous.
Charter & Fractional

Wayfarer Aviation takes over assets of shuttered JetDirect

The soaring enterprise that started as JetDirect Aviation and grew into a charter/ management operator of 300 aircraft by swallowing up some of the biggest
Aircraft

Cessna Looks at Spending, Program Deferrals

Cessna has “slowed down the Columbus program significantly,” company chairman, CEO and president Jack Pelton said during a Q&A session after giving the key
Aircraft

Etirc Insolvency Signals End of Eclipse Europe Era

Roel Pieper’s European Technology and Investment Research Center (Etirc) has filed for bankruptcy, ending Etirc Aviation’s once-lofty plans to distribute E
Charter & Fractional

Air-taxi Plans a Nonstarter for Pogo Jet

Former American Airlines chief Robert Crandall’s plans to blanket the Northeast U.S.
Safety

FAA Plans Helo EMS Rulemaking

Yesterday the House subcommittee on aviation held a hearing on helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) safety.
FBOs

JPMorgan Lease at Westchester Delayed

Westchester County authorized the county executive to sign a lease with JPMorgan Chase for Hangar E-1 at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, N.Y.,
Charter & Fractional

JetDirect Closes, Wayfarer Aviation Takes Over

On Friday, JetDirect Aviation chairman and CEO Greg C
Aircraft

Special Conditions for Spectrum S.40 Reveal Weights

Spectrum Aeronautical’s all-composite S.40 Freedom light jet is subject to a number of special conditions mandated by the FAA to achieve type certification
Safety

SAIB Warns of Carbon Brake Freezing Problem

The FAA issued a special airworthiness information bulletin (SAIB NM-09-18) last month warning operators of aircraft equipped with carbon disc brakes that
Maintenance and Modifications

Sierra Industries Offering Free Loaner Jets

Customers who bring their Cessna Citation to Sierra Industries of Uvalde, Texas, for major maintenance or inspection events can now drop off their jet and
Maintenance and Modifications

Kurt Sutterer Retiring from Midcoast Aviation

Jet Aviation, which purchased Midcoast Aviation in 2006 and then was bought by General Dynamics last year, announced that Don Petersen is taking over as pr
Maintenance and Modifications

FAA Withdrawing Divisive Repair Station NPRM

The FAA has begun the process of withdrawing a controversial December 2006
Charter & Fractional

Jet Direct Planning To Rebrand as Wayfarer Aviation

On Friday, a Massachusetts judge dismissed leg
Charter & Fractional

Restraining Order Halts JetDirect Plans

A Massachusetts judge has granted a petition for a temporary restraining order preventing JetDirect Aviation Acquisition Company (JDAAC) from completing th
Maintenance and Modifications

FAA Seeking Comment on Repair Spec Policy

The FAA has published draft Order 8300.14A, “Repair Specification
Maintenance and Modifications

NTSB Critiques Improper Maintenance on AA MD-80

An American Airlines MD-80’s safety was jeopardized, according to the NTSB, due to an “unapproved and improper procedure used by mechanics to manually star
Regulations and Government

FAA Funding Bill Still Ignores European Issues

While the U.S.
Maintenance and Modifications

Dassault Falcon’s Reno Center Opens

Dassault Falcon yesterday opened its newest Dassault Aircraft Services factory-owned service center at Reno Tahoe International Airport.
Aircraft

More Legal Actions Erupt in Eclipse Arena

Last month, the Alfred E.
Charter & Fractional

Fractional Aircraft Companies Offer Creative Solutions

As the recession tightens its grip on the economy, fractional aircraft providers have stepped up their marketing efforts not only to sell more shares but a
Aircraft

Jet-Alliance Offers Plan for DayJet Eclipse 500s

While various entrepreneurs have tried to buy and resell the 28 Eclipse 500 very light jets that were flown by bankrupt air-taxi firm DayJet, none has succ
Charter & Fractional

JDAAC Plans Payment to Current, Former Employees

As JetDirect Aviation Acquisition Company nears its planned purchase of assets of JetDirect Aviation, JDAAC chairman Robert Pinkas acknowledged the company
Maintenance and Modifications

OEM Strategy Seeks To Minimize PMA Parts

Operators and maintenance providers have long been concerned about OEMs limiting the ability of non-factory-authorized entities to repair components or mec
Engines

TCM Flies Bonanza on Unleaded Aviation Fuel

With pressure increasing on the Environmental Protection Agency to mandate elimination of tetraethyl lead from avgas, Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) has
Maintenance and Modifications

Goodyear Celebrates 100 Years of Aviation Tires

One hundred years after introducing the first aviation tire–the Wing Aeroplane tire–Goodyear Tire and Rubber is adding a new tire to its lineup, the Flight
Maintenance and Modifications

Foam Compliance Pricey for Hangar Owners and Operators

In a survey of members who own or operate aircraft hangars, the National Air Transportation Association asked how new National Fire Protection Association