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
The VLJ Effect
We’re now in year two of the great “onslaught” of the very light jet, and soon these small two- and one-engine turbine-powered airplanes will be “darkening
Training and Workforce
Web courses expand ice-training options
In the northern hemisphere, it’s that time of year again, when clouds are full of ice and it’s time to dust off those icing training manuals and relearn th
Airports
DVD looks more closely at Van Nuys
If you liked One Six Right, the documentary about Van Nuys Airport with awesome flying sequences set to inspiring music, you’ll enjoy the new companion DVD
Regulations and Government
FAA initiates overhaul of current notam system
There is general agreement that the FAA’s Notice to Airmen (notam) system is a conduit for often confusing information of marginal value and hopelessly wed
Aircraft
Bombardier teases details of Learjet NXT
For the past four years, Bombardier designers have worked on a variety of design concepts for new airplanes.
Charter & Fractional
$10 million civil penalty ends TAG, FAA dispute
The FAA and TAG Aviation USA have settled “all matters” between them in an agreement that calls for TAG Aviation USA and its Swiss parent, TAG Aviation Hol
Security
General aviation faces tougher security rules
Homeland security experts are considering new measures to tighten security for general aviation operators as part of an ongoing attempt to prepare for unkn
Arinc bringing Acars to Middle East expansion
Arinc is increasing its investments in Middle East aviation infrastructure, including a major expansion of the company’s GlobalLink Acars VHF air-to-ground
FBOs
Touching Bases FBO profile: FBO provides a fuel stop for southbound U.S. pilots
Pilots looking for an alternative for clearing U.S.
FBOs
Touching Bases: Wilson Air fuel trucks tally pounds/gallons
Always looking for new ways to serve customers, Wilson Air Center founder Robert Wilson came up with the idea to modify fuel trucks so that they can displa
FBOs
Touching BAses: Jetscape eyeing expansion
Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport FBO Jetscape Services has secured new investments that will help it launch and develop a chain of FBOs.
FBOs
Touching Bases: Phoenix rises to serve
operators in the PACIFIC RIM Phoenix Fuel has formed Phoenix Japan Aviation Group, based at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, to provide ground-handling services fo
FBOs
Touching Bases: New Jersey FBO expandsNEW JERSEY FBO EXPANDS
Ocean Aire is offering space in its new 20,000-sq-ft hangar at R.J.
FBOs
Touching Bases:Salinas site of new FBO
Central Coast Aviation announced plans to build an FBO facility, to be called Salinas Jet Center, at Salinas Municipal Airport near California’s Monterey P
FBOs
Touching Bases: Signature buys anothe FBO
Signature Flight Support purchased Carolina Air Center at South Carolina’s Hilton Head Airport on September 28.
Airports
Touching Bases: New hangar at Hong Kong
Business aviation traffic continues to grow at Hong Kong’s Chek Lap Kok International Airport, and to serve that traffic, Hong Kong Business Aviation Centr
Maintenance and Modifications
Court orders AvTrak to destroy mx data from former clients
The debate between Littleton, Colo.
FBOs
Austin opening new airport
Ron Henriksen, developer of Houston Executive Airport, has purchased Bird’s Nest Airport, a small facility with a 2,700-foot runway 12 miles Northeast of A
FBOs
Touching bases: PASSUR Offers fuel uplift info
Megadata added to its Passur FBO aircraft-tracking system a new feature that informs FBOs of fuel uplift requirements for incoming aircraft.
Aircraft
In the works: Supersonic Business Jets
Supersonic Aerospace (SAI) and Aerion continue their quest to bring a speedy yet environmentally friendly supersonic business jet to market.
Aircraft
In the Works: Excel-Jet Sport-Jet
Excel-Jet is looking for a new home to continue with development of the single-engine Sport-Jet and is considering a move to Chennault International Airpor
Aircraft
In the works: Utilicraft Aerospace
FF1080-200ER/300ER Progress on the Utilicraft FF1080-200ER freight-feeder pro- totype is accelerating.
Aircraft
In the works: Ibis Ae270B
News reports of the death of the Ibis Ae270B program are premature, according to Frank Hong, director of the business management division at Taiwan’s Aeros
Aircraft
In the works: Diamond D-Jet
Diamond’s second single-engine D-Jet made its first flight on September 14 in London, Ontario.
In the works: Dassault Falcon 2000DX
The EASA granted certification to the Falcon 2000DX on September 19, and FAA certification followed on October 3.
Aircraft
In the works: The ‘Concept Jet’
Airplane programs traditionally began in one of two ways: either as a conceptual design, such as the Eclipse 500, which the manufacturer used to drum up de
AVGAS production stays stable
A small percentage–about 20 percent–of the piston-powered fleet requires 100-octane fuel.
Cessna launches Thielert diesel Skyhawk TD
Although avgas is expensive, there is no shortage in the U.S., and oil companies continue to support its production and distribution.
Aircraft
New Bizliners
As the normal business jet evolves to fill ever smaller niches in the market, it’s no surprise to see more airliner-derived VIP jets offered to an ever wea
