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

Avionics

ForeFlight Integrates Maps with Dynamic Procedures

Approaches are less cluttered and depicted more intuitively
ForeFlight dynamic procedures
Aircraft

Cessna Skyhawk Switches on Electronic Ignition

Lycoming system reduces maintenance costs and improves performance
Cessna 172 Skyhawk
Avionics

Garmin PlaneSync Adds Automatic Flight Log Sharing

New feature pushes flight data directly to service providers
Garmin PlaneSync flight log sharing
Aircraft

Integral R Is Highlight of Aura Aero Oshkosh Display

FAA validation of the aerobatic two-seater is expected this year
Aura Aero Integral R
Operations

GlobalAir Publishes FBO Specials for Flights to Oshkosh

Discounts on fuel, food, and facilities are available for AirVenture flyers
GlobalAir fuel map
Operations

GlobalAir Publishes FBO Specials for Flights to Oshkosh

Discounts on fuel, food, and facilities are available for AirVenture flyers
GlobalAir fuel map for Oshkosh travelers
Operations

Free MyTIS Trial Offered to Oshkosh Travelers

Provides airport and weather information when ATIS can’t be received
Send MyTIS airport and weather information
Aircraft

Otto Selects Mecaer Landing Gear and Flight Controls

Aircraft won’t have fly-by-wire flight controls or cabin windows
Otto Aviation's Phantom 3500 business jet
Operations

Garmin Adds Oshkosh FISK Arrival for AirVenture Flyers

Procedure includes waypoints and notes on the chart
FISK arrival to Oshkosh as depicted on Garmin SmartCharts
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Cessna Caravans Latest To Receive Starlink STC

Systems brings highspeed broadband connectivity to the single-engine turboprop
Cessna Caravan airplane
Safety

Skyryse and Cal Fire To Deploy SkyOS for Firefighting

Simplified control and fly-by-wire envelope protection will enhance mission safety
Cal Fire
Maintenance and Modifications

Castle Air Expands Helo Maintenance with Heliwork Buy

Company expands UK footprint and adds new blade and component capabilities
Castle Air Group
Avionics

Honeywell FMS Guided Visual Approaches Add Capability

New airports and integrations give pilots more options for mitigating risk
Honeywell guided visual approaches
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Galileo Available from Textron Aviation Service Centers

System includes the HDX antenna and Gogo Avance router
Gogo Galileo satcom on Cessna Citation
Rotorcraft

Milestone and Leonardo Sign Power-by-the-hour Agreement

Deal covers more than 100 helicopters owned by the leasing company
Francesco Bellardi, Leonardo v-p customer support and services, and Kieran Hannan, Milestone Aviation head of fleet and technical operations
Maintenance and Modifications

Henderson Jet Services Harvesting HondaJet Elite Parts

Company says there is strong demand in the aftermarket
HondaJet Elite
Maintenance and Modifications

Honeywell Signs Yingling as Avionics, Engines Dealer

Company is already stocking up to fill customer needs
Yingling Aviation maintenance facility in Wichita
Regulations and Government

Provisions of Reconciliation Bill Welcomed by NBAA 

More than 50 aviation organizations support items that would benefit aviation
U.S. Capitol Building (Photo: Bill Carey)
Accidents

Tim Lilley: Fixing What Caused the DCA Midair Collision

The father of one of the pilots who died in the crash wants something positive to come from the tragedy
Sheri and Tim Lilley at the ACSF Safety Symposium
Maintenance and Modifications

Pro Star Aviation Opens Pilatus Sales and Service Center

Facility is company’s second MRO location
Pro Star Aviation, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Safety

AINsight: Will Secondary Doors Be a Flying Jail Cell?

Flight deck security continues to be an issue and doesn’t seem to acknowledge safety concerns
Cockpit door
Rotorcraft

Air Methods Introduces Mauna Loa Pilots to HEMS Careers

‘Grass is Greener’ initiative aims to help flight instructors transition to professional flying jobs
Air Methods training Mauna Loa Helicopters pilots
Avionics

Garmin GTN 750Xi Navigators Now FAA Datalink-capable

Properly equipped aircraft can now access departure clearances and push-to-load messages
Garmin FAA Data Comm data link on GTN 750Xi GPS navigator
Maintenance and Modifications

Broward Aviation Buys Spares, Repairs Firm Support Air

Move adds capabilities to serve Airbus, Boeing operators
Broward Aviation Services acquires Support Air
Maintenance and Modifications

StandardAero Van Nuys Approved by Mexico Regulator

Company now has three facilities approved for maintenance on Mexican aircraft
StandardAero facility in Van Nuys, California
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Gogo STC Offers Continued Service for Legacy Customers

Offers alternative to more expensive upgrades
Gogo C1 air-to-ground connectivity system for business aircraft
Training and Workforce

NBAA Webinar Looks at Lasting Impact of Bizav

Event features prominent company founders and organization chiefs
AIN Founder & Chair Emeritus Wilson Leach
Safety

FAA Revises Helicopter Routes Near Reagan National

Zones and helicopter flight paths have been moved to mitigate risks of traffic conflicts
Reagan National Airport helicopter zone and route modifications
Regulations and Government

Deadline Near for FAA Certificate Holders Outside U.S.

After July 7, pilots, mechanics, and other airmen will be subject to enforcement action
Pilot
Avionics

Garmin Unveils Next Avionics Suite: G5000 Prime

New avionics join G3000 Prime to serve transport-category market
Garmin G5000 Prime avionics