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
Middle East welcomes business aviation
Middle East FBO activity is accelerating, with a United Arab Emirates company planning to build an FBO at the new Al Maktoum International Airport and an A
FBOs
BJC hosts customer cookout
Once a month during the hot Texas summer, Business Jet Center’s Dallas FBO rolls out the barbecue grill and dishes out sizzling hamburgers and hot d
Training and Workforce
Air BP FBO training now online
Fuel provider Air BP is offering an online training program for FBOs in the company’s USGA dealer network.
FBOs
Renovations complete at Million Aire Victorville
Renovations are complete at the Million Air Victorville at Southern California Logistics Airport.
FBOs
DOJ orders Signature to sell FBO
For Signature Flight Support to proceed with its planned acquisition of seven Hawker Beechcraft FBOs, the Department of Justice (DOJ) will require that Sig
Aircraft
AIN Product Support Survey 2008
The highest overall rating for jets again goes to Gulfstream.
FBOs
Servion serves up Avfuel
Waco, Texas-based Servion has built new facilities and joined the Avfuel network.
FBOs
Franchisee seeks split from Million Air stable
A battle is brewing between the Million Air FBO franchising company and one of its more prominent franchisees, a group of seven Million Air FBOs owned by v
FBOs
New choice at Yellowstone
Avfuel dealer Choice Aviation’s new facilities are up and running at Yellowstone Regional Airport in Cody, Wyo., which is less than an hour from Yellowston
Accidents
TEB crash prompts NTSB safety recommendation
The NTSB issued safety recommendations A-08-48 and -49 on July 17 warning that pilots may decide to abort takeoffs in Bombardier Challengers if the pilots
FBOs
Atlantic opens new terminal
Atlantic Aviation opened a new 6,000-sq-ft FBO terminal at Charleston Executive Airport in Johns Island, S.C.
Charter & Fractional
Start-up firm enters VLJ ring
Another company has launched a bid in the crowded single-engine jet field.
Aircraft
Revamped Adam Aircraft Plans A700 Approval by 2010
AAI Acquisition, which bought the assets of Adam Aircraft Industries for $10 million after Adam filed for bankruptcy in February, is ramping up the certifi
Raburn Out at Eclipse as Etirc's Pieper Takes Reins
Amid scuttlebutt about persistent financial problems, Eclipse Aviation founder and CEO Vern Raburn (left, in photo) stepped down today and company chairman
Aircraft
In the Works: Cirrus Vision SJ50
Shortly after the first flight of Cirrus Design’s single-engine jet, the company finally revealed the name for what had long been referred to as “The Jet,”
Aircraft
In the Works: Cessna Citation Columbus
As the detail design phase for the large-cabin Columbus picks up speed, Cessna has expanded the program team to 500 people, up from 150.
Aircraft
In the Works: Eclipse EA-400
Eclipse Aviation is back on the In the Works chart with the May launch of the EA-400 four-seat 330-knot single-engine jet.
Regulations and Government
Campaign seeks to limit oil speculation
In a curious illustration of how current events make strange bedfellows, the Air Transport Association of America (ATA) has joined Aircraft Owners and Pilo
Aircraft
Eclipse forges ahead on 500 fixes
Eclipse Aviation in late June received flight into known icing (FIKI) approval for the Eclipse 500, though in-service and undelivered aircraft up to S/N 26
Charter & Fractional
Sentient changes leaders amid funding ‘hiccup’
Cash-flow problems at Sentient Jet Holdings, parent of charter, management and jet card firm Sentient Flight Group, have led to a leadership change at the
Safety
NTSB Didn’t Test Other Aircraft for Mistrim Problem
In a safety recommendation issued last Thursday (A-08-48 and A-08-49), the NTSB raised concerns about mistrim rotation characteristics in the Bombardier Ch
Aircraft
Eclipse Position-holder Sues for Deposit Refund
Geiger Excavating filed a lawsuit against Eclipse Aviation, seeking refund of a $150,000 deposit for an Eclipse 500 VLJ plus pre-judgment interest and cost
Charter & Fractional
FAA Grant Funds Illegal Charter Hotline
The FAA has provided grant money to fund a hotline for charter operators to report “suspected illegal commercial activity,” according to the National Air T
Aircraft
NTSB: Challenger Mistrim Is ‘Unsafe Characteristic’
The NTSB issued a safety recommendation letter on Thursday warning that pilots may
Regulations and Government
FAA Study Seeks Part 23 Certification Rule Changes
The FAA’s Small Aircraft Directorate in Kansas City is expected to deliver to the FAA Administrator next month a preliminary report on recommended updates
Sentient Gets New Funding and New CEO
Sentient Jet Holdings, parent of Sentient Flight Group, today revealed that its financial backers have agreed to provide a new supply of funding to help th
Safety
Touching Bases: Safety 1st develps TEB training
A comprehensive pilot training and briefing system is available online (www.airportflightcrewbriefing.com/Teterboro) to help pilots prepare for flights int
Airports
Touching Bases: Carlsbad adds VIP customs service
Since January, pilots flying to airports in Southern California have been able to obtain overflight permits and fly directly to destinations like McClellan
FBOs
Touching Bases: Emblem makes plans for a western FBO chain
Emblem Aviation purchased New Breed Aviation at Ralph Wenz Field Airport in Pinedale, Wyo., and plans to add a second FBO location in Arizona.
