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
In the works: Cessna Aircraft – Citation Columbus
When Cessna announced the formal launch of the Columbus large-cabin jet program earlier this year, chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton said that it was
FBOs
IFBOA: independent FBOs benefit from cooperation
Independent FBOs face problems different from those of their chain counterparts, whose sheer size often makes it easier for them to address challenges.
Revised delivery forecasts prompt cutbacks at OEMs
Acknowledging the reality of today’s economic situation, aircraft manufacturers Cessna and Hawker Beechcraft have announced workforce reductions and revise
The VLJ era
The VLJ era started with a bang on March 6, 2000, when Eclipse Aviation announced the formal launch of the Eclipse 500, a program “designed to apply techno
Eclipse struggles to stay aloft in turbulent skies
Despite intensified speculation about an impending collapse, Eclipse Aviation remained in business as this issue went to press, with company leaders still
Regulations and Government
In public comments, industry skewers LASP
Comments submitted to the Transportation Security Administration about the proposal to enact rules mandating new security processes for aircraft with a max
Maintenance and Modifications
Lufthansa Technik “Super Star” In New Hangar
Lufthansa Technik’s restoration of a Lockheed L-1649A Super Star (Super Constellation Starliner) took a major step forward when the airplane was moved on N
Maintenance and Modifications
Gulfstream Formally Launches Budget Parts Program
Gulfstream has formally launched the BudgetPlus service, offering cost-assured parts provision for owners of the Astra, G100, G150 and G200.
Accidents
Victims File Lawsuit in S.C. Learjet Accident
Travis Barker and Thelma Martin Still have filed a lawsuit in the California Superior Court following the September 19 overrun crash in Columbia, S.C., of
Security
TSA Delays Town Hall Meeting to Hear Input on LASP
The December 3 town hall meeting planned by the Transportation Security Administration to hear what general aviation operators think about the Large Aircra
Charter & Fractional
Flight Options Furloughs Due to Frax Flying Falloff
Fractional share operator Flight Options has furloughed more than 100 pilots, according to Mat Slinghoff, president of the International Brotherhood of Tea
Aircraft
Eclipse Aviation Bankruptcy Opens the Books on Debts
Just days after Eclipse Aviation achieved two key milestones–EASA and Avio NG 1.5 certification–the pioneering VLJ manufacturer this morning filed for Chap
Maintenance and Modifications
LBAS Offers Frequent Maintainer Program
Maintenance customers of Lufthansa Bombardier Aviation Services (LBAS) at Berlin-Schönefeld in Germany can earn loyalty points in the company’s new Mainten
Maintenance and Modifications
ExecuJet Bullish But Cautious About Mideast Growth
ExecuJet Middle East is planning to expand its maintenance capabilities in Dubai with a new maintenance facility at Dubai World Central’s Al Maktoum Intern
Local TV Reports Eclipse Employees Unpaid
Albuquerque’s NBC affiliate TV station, KOB, reported earlier today that the employees of Eclipse Aviation learned this morning that they will not be recei
In Memoriam: William F. O’Brien
The aviation maintenance industry lost a key friend on Sunday, November 9, when retired FAA national resource specialist Bill O’Brien passed away.
Maintenance and Modifications
Dassault Falcon To Open Reno Service Center in March
On March 30 next year Dassault Falcon will open its newest factory-owned service center at Nevada’s Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
Maintenance and Modifications
FAA’s Ballough and Sabatini Heading for Retirement
James Ballough, the FAA’s long-time director of the Flight Standards Service, has announced that he will retire at the end of the year.
Airports
Van Nuys Noisy Phaseout Could Bolster BUR Traffic
A draft environmental impact report for Van Nuys (Calif.) Airport’s “Noisier Aircraft Phaseout” project suggests that most aircraft might divert to Bob Hop
FBOs
General Dynamics Completes Jet Aviation Acquisition
Gulfstream Aerospace parent General Dynamics yesterday finalized its purchase of Zurich, Switzerland-based Jet Aviation from Permira Funds private equity g
Regulations and Government
Court Orders Stay of DOT Direct Urine Observation
Last Friday, the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (Washington, D.C.) issued a temporary stay of the Department of Transportation’s Nov
Maintenance and Modifications
JSSI Simplifies Hourly Cost Program for T-props, Helos
Operators of turboprops and helicopters can now sign up for the Jet Support Services engine hourly cost maintenance program with a no-enrollment-fee option
Maintenance and Modifications
General Dynamics Completes Jet Aviation Acquisition
Gulfstream Aerospace parent General Dynamics today finalized its purchase of Zurich, Switzerland-based Jet Aviation for approximately $2.18 billion, signif
FBOs
Airport Profile: Grissom ARB
The opening of a new runway for civil use is a rare event, but even more unusual when that runway is 12,501 feet of smooth pavement, specifically the joint
Red Bull Madness
The annual Red Bull Flugtag held in Portland, Ore., was witness to the Premier Jet line service staff’s attempt to fly their own bi-winged glider.
FBOs
Renovations continue at Salinas
Salinas Municipal Airport in central California has finished upgrades that include new offices, a conference room and modernized common areas.
FBOs
SkyTech adopts Noverant compliance system
Line supervisors and line service personnel at SkyTech, with FBOs in Rock Hill, S.C., and Baltimore are now using Noverant’s training and compliance manage
FBOs
Passur adds FBO clients
Aircraft tracking and airport data provider Passur signed up three new clients recently.
FBOs
New name for Key Air FBOs
Charter/management and FBO company Key Air has adopted the Key Air name for its three FBOs in Oxford, Conn.; Blaine, Minn.; and Fort Pierce, Fla.
