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
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Gogo Biz 4G Connectivity Coming To Bizav Early 2017
The new Gogo Biz service is more than three times faster than the existing Gogo air-to-ground network for business aviation.
Fuel
Tankering Benefits Tangible and Achievable
There are many ways to calculate whether to carry extra fuel that is cheaper versus buying expensive fuel at the destination.
Aircraft
Hands On: Icon A5 a Surprisingly Satisfying Airplane
The amphibious light-sport A5 is finally entering production to satisfy orders for more than 1,500 copies of the aircraft.
Aircraft
Hands On: TTx Is Cessna’s Speediest Single
The Cessna TTx is a capable flying machine, with long range and swift cruising–all without retracting the landing gear.
Avionics
Hands On: HUD and Fly-by-Wire Enhances Legacy 500
In the middle of next year Embraer will offer optional head-up display with enhanced and synthetic vision for the Legacy 450 and 500.
Aircraft
Legacy 450 Flies Fine Steep Approach
Testing of the steep approach mode for the Legacy 450 and 500 is done and Embraer expects certification next month.
Charter & Fractional
Charter Report 2015
Charter/management firms report steady growth in fleets and business, from both management customers and buyers of charter lift.
Avionics
TrueNorth Offers Wireless Access to Smaller Aircraft
The Optelity Hot Spot allows operators of smaller jets and turboprops to provide wireless access for passengers and pilots.
Aircraft
Textron Rolls Out 2,500th Caravan
Bering Air will take delivery of the 2,500th Caravan after paint and interior work is completed.
ATC
Pope Francis Gets Presidential TFR Treatment
The size of the Temporary Flight Restrictions erected for Pope Francis’s visit to the U.S. raises questions: why such elevated security?
Maintenance and Modifications
SoCal Jets Adds Universal Avionics, TrueNorth Dealerships
The Van Nuys maintenance provider, in business for 31 years, services Gulfstream, Challenger, Falcon, Hawker, Learjet and Citation jets.
Avionics
ESI-500 Joins L-3 Aviation Products Standby Family
The new ESI-500 offers optional synthetic vision and integrates with L-3 Aviation's magnetometer.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Chicago Jet Exclusive Distributor for Adonis IFE
The new AdonisOne in-flight entertainment system is portable and thus can be carried from aircraft to aircraft.
Garmin D2 Bravo Steps Up Garmin’s Watch Game
Garmin’s D2 Bravo is a serious smartwatch with a strong set of aviation functions.
Airports
Bizav Gathers in St. Louis for NBAA Regional Forum
NBAA Business Aviation Regional Forum arrives in St. Louis
Avionics
Duncan Celebrate 30 Years of Satellite Avionics Shops
The company's satellite network now consists of 25 locations.
Avionics
Hilton Software Releases WingX Pro7 for Android
The new version of WingX Pro7 offers many of the same features as the iOS version.
Avionics
Clay Lacy STCs TrueNorth Fans-over-Iridium in CL-601
FANS equipment facilitates communication for flights over the North Atlantic and other regions.
Avionics
ForeFlight 7.3 Adds Garmin Two-way Flight Plan Transfer
ForeFlight Mobile's new two-way flight plan transfer capability will integrate with ForeFlight Web.
Book Review: Floatplane Odyssey Documents Record-breaking Flight
Although not recognized by officials, Tom Casey’s floatplane flight around the world was truly a record-breaking adventure.
Accidents
AIN Blog: Drop the Bag and Get Out of My Way!
Full-scale passenger evacuation demonstrations don't seem to match the reality of peoples' behavior in an emergency.
Avionics
Special Report: The No-pilot Cockpit?
Avionics manufacturers look to expand collaboration between humans and machines.
Avionics
Garmin Transforms Touch Controller Into Standby Instrument
The new Garmin GTC 580 touchscreen controller can eliminate the need to install a separate standby flight display.
Airports
Control of Airport Top Priority for SMO City Council
The Santa Monica, Calif. city council believes it is under no official obligation to keep the city's airport open.
Avionics
FAA Outlines LOA Process for Foreign GNSS Approaches
Process allows FAA inspectors to issue a Letter of Authorization to Part 91 operators to fly GNSS approaches in some countries outside the U.S.
Charter & Fractional
NetJets Pilots Plan Seven-city Informational Picketing
Dispute between NJASAP and NetJets centers around healthcare costs and pay issues, according to the pilots' union.
Maintenance and Modifications
AIN Blog: The Tragic Lameness of the SDR Database
The FAA and aviation industry are not making effective use of the Service Difficulty Reporting database.
Avionics
Product Support Survey Part 2: Avionics
Garmin tops the list of avionics manufacturers in AIN’s annual survey, with Rockwell Collins and Universal Avionics tied for second.
