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
FBOs
Jet-A and avgas now available at Cleveland Jet Center
FBO Cleveland Jet Center at Ohio’s Cuyahoga County Airport has added jet-A and avgas supplied by Avfuel to its list of services.
FBOs
Million Air Tucson grand opening
On January 12, the new Million Air Tucson FBO held its grand opening, marking the FBO franchise’s first presence in Arizona.
Airports
Obama TFR to choke Chicago airports
The FAA has released details of how general aviation traffic will be severely constrained when President Obama stays at his Chicago home.
Aircraft
In the Works: Embraer Phemon 100
Embraer officially became the third manufacturer to achieve entry-into-service of a very light jet, having delivered two Phenom 100s by the end of last
Aircraft
In the Works: Spectrum Aeronautical
Work is progressing on Spectrum Aeronautical’s all-composite S.40 Freedom midsize jet, but the first-flight dates have been pushed back, from a previously
Aircraft
In the Works: Antilles Seaplanes
Decades after the last Grumman Goose rolled off the famed manufacturer’s assembly line, the G-21 Goose is nearly ready to come back to life.
Charter & Fractional
Sun Rises on New Version of Sunset Aviation
The owners of Sunset Aviation, the charter/management company sold to JetDirect Aviation in May 2007, have formed a new company called Sunset Aviation LLC.
Aircraft
Bombardier: Learjet 85 Design Mature, Plans on Track
Bombardier shared an update on the Learjet 85 program with customers today, revealing that the program remains on schedule for service entry in 2013 and th
Rotorcraft
HAI: ‘Heli-Expo’09 a Resounding Success’
Despite all the gloom about the recession, this year’s Heli-Expo in Anaheim, Calif., easily exceeded all expectations when it ended on Tuesday, with record
Aircraft
Linear Air Forms Eclipse 500 Support Co-op
With VLJ manufacturer Eclipse Aviation facing Chapter 7 liquidation proceedings, an organization is needed to provide support to owners of the 259 Eclipse
Aircraft
Chapter 7 Filing Signals End of Eclipse Era
In a letter sent to employees on Tuesday, Eclipse Aviation general manager Michael McConnell and CFO Mark Borseth wrote that “our company is out of time an
Maintenance and Modifications
Constant Aviation Completes China-based Legacy Mod
Nextant Aviation subsidiary Constant Aviation finished a 41,000-foot modification and 48-month inspection on a China-based Embraer Legacy 600.
Maintenance and Modifications
AAR Landing Gear Services Resumes Full Operations
The FAA returned the repair station certificate that it suspended from AAR Landing Gear Services on February 10, and the AAR division immediately resumed w
Training and Workforce
Fast Track A&P/Associate Degree Program Available
Future technicians can now take advantage of a combined FAA Airframe and Powerplant mechanic and associate degree program offered by St.
Maintenance and Modifications
Report Says Mechanics Missing in Human Factors Efforts
In a report titled “An Overview of Human Factors in Aviation Maint
Industry perspective: AgustaWestland
Italian manufacturer AgustaWestland’s helicopters address what has become a sweet spot in today’s economy, the medium helicopter segment.
Industry perspective: Robinson Helicopter
Frank Robinson, who turned 79 in January, likes to joke about his employees forcing him into retirement to pay him back for asking a former employee to
Bell/Agusta prepping two more BA609s for testing
Work continues on the Bell/Agusta Aerospace BA609 civil tiltrotor program, with more than 100 people dedicated by both Bell Helicopter and AgustaWestland t
Bell focuses on to-do list as 429 certification nears
Bell Helicopter’s Model 429 is nearing the certification home stretch, with FAA approval now planned in the second quarter this year, roughly half a year l
JetDirect Aviation Signs Sale Agreement
JetDirect Aviation Holdings on Tuesday evening announced that it signed an agreement to sell most of the assets of its charter/management company JetDirect
Industry Perspective: Bell helicopter
Last year, Bell Helicopter president and CEO Richard Millman surprised the helicopter world with the announcement that the company planned to shut down
Aircraft
Eclipse Board Furloughs Employees Pending Financing
Although the bankruptcy court approved the sale of Eclipse Aviation to EclipseJet International on January 20, the financing to complete the sale has yet t
Maintenance and Modifications
StandardAero Receives FAA and EASA Design Approvals
The FAA and EASA granted a major repair organization design authorization (MRA-ODA) to StandardAero’s Maryville, Tenn.
Maintenance and Modifications
FAA Grants Certification to Freedom Aero Service
Freedom Aero Service, a new repair station opened by people who used to work for Weco Aerospace Systems in Lincoln, Calif., received FAA certification on J
Maintenance and Modifications
FAA, AAR Agree To Settle Landing-gear Issues
On February 10 the FAA issued an emergency order of suspension to AAR, suspending the repair station certificate held by AAR Landing Gear Services.
Safety
San Diego Ramp Event Not a Playbook Action
After news broke last week of the Transportation Security Administration’s unauthorized inspections of Nashville (Tenn.) Airport pilots and employees and t
Maintenance and Modifications
Precision Aviation Expands With New Vancouver Shop
Rapid growth at Precision Aviation Group’s two Canadian subsidiaries prompted the addition of a new facility in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Maintenance and Modifications
New Cessna Service Center Opens in Mesa
While Cessna Aircraft is closing its Toledo, Ohio Citation service center at the end of next month, the company celebrated the opening of its new Mesa Cita
Maintenance and Modifications
New FAA Funding Act Addresses Foreign Repair Safety
The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2009 introduced on Monday by House Transportation Committee chairman James Oberstar (D-Minn.) and House aviation subcommitte
