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
Safety
Runway safety council formed
The FAA and aviation industry have formed a Runway Safety Council to examine root causes of runway incursions and make recommendations about runway safety.
Airports
New Branson Airport to open
A privately owned and developed airport is under construction eight miles south of Branson, Mo., designed to serve vacationers flying to the Branson area,
FBOs
FBO Profile: Jackson Hole Aviation
Jackson Hole Airport in Wyoming has the unfortunate distinction of being the only large public-use airport located in a national park and operating under a
FBOs
Air BP at more FBOs
Carlsbad, Calif.-based FBO Jet Source has selected Air BP as its primary fuel supplier.
Airports
New runway opens at Houston executive
Privately owned and operated Houston Executive Airport, west of Houston, has completed a runway extension to 6,610 feet.
FBOs
Key Air expanding to Minneapolis
FBO and charter/management company Key Air is building a new FBO at Anoka County-Blaine Airport in Minneapolis.
FBOs
TotalFBO now web-enabled
Horizon Business Concepts’ TotalFBO software is now available in an online version.
Regulations and Government
Santa Monica blasts FAA interference in noise plan
The City of Santa Monica, Calif., planned to implement its new ordinance prohibiting operation of category C and D aircraft at the city’s airport beginning
Airports
Florida airport for sale
The owner of a private airport in Tallahassee, Fla., has decided to sell the property and has set an asking price of $11.6 million.
FBOs
Sheltair adding Savannah FBO
Pilots who are wondering when a second FBO will open at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport finally have an answer.
MD54 provides gateway to downtown Baltimore
For Dan Naor, a helicopter owner and pilot and partner in the busy Baltimore Marine Center in the Maryland city’s downtown harbor, landing at the nearest a
Aircraft
In The Works: Gulfstream G650
Gulfstream’s new G650 ultra-long-range jet will feature a wing built by Spirit AeroSystems.
Aircraft
In The Works: Aerion Supersonic Business Jet
Although it has yet to find an aircraft manufacturer willing to help design and build the world’s first supersonic business jet, Aerion has built an order
Aircraft
In The Works: Pilatus PC-12 NG
The next-generation version of the Pilatus PC-12 is certified and deliveries have begun, so the single-engine turboprop is dropping off the In The Works ch
Aircraft
In The Works: Diamond D-Jet
Diamond Aircraft is delaying the D-Jet program to install an engine with greater power output.
Aircraft
In The Works: MSJ and MLJ
The not-yet-named midsize jet and mid-light jet got the green light from Embraer’s board of directors on March 28, and Embraer plans to spend about $750 mi
Aircraft
In The Works: Phenom 300
The first Phenom 300 was rolled out on April 12 and should fly this month or next, at the latest.
Aircraft
In The Works: Embraer Phenom 100
Embraer’s Phenom 100 very light jet is speeding toward its scheduled mid-year certification.
Regulations and Government
Peak-period pricing no fix for congestion, say alphabets
The FAA’s proposal to reduce airline delays by imposing peak-period pricing to reduce congestion at busy airports is a “bad idea with no positive consequen
Regulations and Government
AD non-compliance sparks more FAA oversight
The FAA has been under intense pressure from the U.S.
Safety
More accidents, fewer fatalities for general aviation in 2007
General aviation fatalities dropped 30 percent last year, to 491 from 703 in 2006, according to the NTSB.
Maintenance and Modifications
Falcon support changes
Dassault Falcon has rearranged its two support organizations for Falcons, combining the eastern and western hemisphere customer service organizations under
Aircraft
Piper Aircraft To Stay in Vero Beach?
An April 28 Indian River County budget resolution approved $12 million to keep Piper Aircraft at its headquarters in Vero Beach, Fla., and the state of Flo
Aircraft
Honda extends jet sales beyond U.S.
Honda Aircraft’s announcement that it will offer the $3.65 million HondaJet for sale in the European market beginning this month “is a big milestone,” acco
Aircraft
Ahead of Schedule, First Phenom 300 Flies
Embraer’s Phenom 300 light jet flew for the first time yesterday, months ahead of its planned mid-year first flight schedule, lifting off from the 16,295-f
Aircraft
Criteria set for first G650 buyers
In a March 13 letter to a prospective buyer, Gulfstream outlined details of the purchase process for the new G650 ultra-long-range jet.
Aircraft
Deliveries begin for Pilatus PC-12 NG
The latest version of the Pilatus PC-12, featuring new avionics and a new engine, received FAA and EASA certification on March 28.
Aircraft
Pre-owned Market Solid for Eclipse 500s
While most business jet manufacturers rarely announce how many airplanes they have built before providing quarterly shipment numbers to the General Aviatio
Aircraft
Eclipse 500 nears full avionics functionality
Eclipse Aviation is expecting to achieve two major certification goals–flight-into-known-icing and EASA certification–for the EA-500 very light jet by July
