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
Aircraft
Twin Otter development continues
Viking Air’s relaunch of the fabled Twin Otter is progressing on schedule, and the first modified airplane incorporating all the planned new features of th
‘Jump jet’ gets drafted for civilian flying duty
The Rolls-Royce Pegasus-powered roar that rent the air at St.
Training and Workforce
SFAR outlines more stringent training for MU-2 pilots
More than two years after the FAA completed its latest evaluation of the relatively high accident rate of the Mitsubishi MU-2 twin turboprop, the agency is
Charter & Fractional
No clear winner in Flexjet training lawsuit
Pilots often wonder what happens if they sign a contract to repay training costs when accepting a flying job that involves expensive simulator training but
Aviation Industry Expo 2008 preview
Last year was the first National Air Transportation Association (NATA) FBO Leadership Conference, following the association’s splitting its annual confe
Charter & Fractional
Operational control: FAA’s interest extends farther back than last year
Well before the conclusion of its extensive investigation of AMI Jet Charter and emergency revocation of AMI’s charter certificate last year, the FAA in
FBOs
Macquarie nixes deal to partner with Universal
Universal Weather & Aviation’s deal to enter into a partnership with Australia’s Macquarie Group is off, according to both companies.
In 2007, deliveries of business aircraft surged
General aviation manufacturers enjoyed another record-breaking year last year, with billings totaling $21.9 billion, up 16.5 percent from the previous year
Charter & Fractional
Operational control scrutiny could extend beyond charter operations
Aviation industry experts believe that the FAA’s next operational control focus will be on Part 91 operators, specifically management companies that manage
Adam Aircraft closes up shop
At a time when business jet deliveries are setting record highs (see page 3), Adam Aircraft, an Englewood, Colo.
Aircraft
Announcing Columbus, Cessna commits to large-cabin Citation
After extensive market research and more than a year of showing prospective customers a cabin mockup of a large-cabin jet, on January 24 Cessna Aircraft fo
Former exec recounts woes at Silver State
When Silver State Helicopters salesman “John Smith” (not his real name) was laid off in mid-November from his job recruiting student helicopter pilots, he
CopterJobs makes recruitment a click away for helicopter workers
Debi Irby always had a tough time finding new employees when she was chief pilot for various helicopter operators.
NVG for all night helo ops, says FAA
The FAA’s David Downey recommends that all night helicopter operations be flown by pilots wearing night-vision goggles (NVGs).
AW139 joins company fleet of avionics supplier Honeywell
In a ceremony held yesterday afternoon, AgustaWestland delivered a new AW139 equipped with a Honeywell Primus Epic avionics suite to Honeywell aviation ser
R66 customers are champing at the bit
Robinson Helicopter dealers who attended yesterday’s press conference said they are ready to place orders for the turbine-powered R66 currently under devel
Honeywell’s Observer III tracker coming to the U.S.
After acquiring Skyforce, a small UK-based avionics company, in 1998, AlliedSignal (now Honeywell) focused on the European market for the helicopter missio
BLR touts benefits of 212 fin mod
Flight testing of BLR Aerospace’s Bell 212 FastFin modification has demonstrated improved performance that will allow the 212 to carry more weight to highe
Charter & Fractional
Air Charter Safety Foundation Holds First Symposium
Yesterday, the newly formed Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) concluded its inaugural Air Charter Safety Symposium, which was held at the NTSB Training
Charter & Fractional
Pogo Sets Possible Price Parameters for IPO
Pogo Jet this week filed an amendment to its S-1 registration statement for an initial public offering of stock to finance the company’s entry into the ver
Regulations and Government
Stimulus Package Includes More Bonus Depreciation
The $168 billion economic stimulus plan President Bush signed yesterday includes a provision that alters section 168(k) of the Internal Revenue Code to all
ATC
GAMA and DOT IG Agree on NextGen Urgency
At Tuesday’s Annual Industry Review and Market Outlook, GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce reiterated business aviation’s call for the government to drop th
Maintenance and Modifications
GII/III Hushkitter Stage III Shut Down
Stage III Technologies on Friday ceased operations pending further funding, leaving just one company–Miami-based Quiet Technology Aerospace–currently provi
FBOs
FBO Profile: Flightline Tallahassee
It all began when Paul “Mac” Langston identified a need for an aeromedical helicopter program in the Florida panhandle.
FBOs
Fargo FBO launches remodel
Fargo Jet Center is staying open in temporary facilities while its FBO terminal is being remodeled.
FBOs
Local NOTAMs available
The FAA formally signed Notam Order 7930.2, according to the NBAA, “enabling the first phase of Notam realignment to proceed.” As of January 28, civil loca
FBOs
FAA nixes shorter runway at Florida airport
The FAA has strongly advised the operators of Witham Field Airport in Stuart, Fla., that their request to shorten 5,826-foot Runway 12/30 is not an option.
FBOs
Aviation Center joins Avfuel
Aviation Center at Page Field in Fort Myers, Fla., is now an Avfuel dealer, accepting contract fuel orders via the Avfuel network as well as Avtrip points.
FBOs
Million Air Nassau rebrands
The former Million Air Nassau is now Odyssey Aviation, having left the Million Air franchise system.
