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
Airports
Airports, FAA Adapting To LED Lighting Push
To pilots, LED lights look different from incandescent lights, and there are issues to be resolved when airports switch to the new technology.
Regulations and Government
FAA Withdraws Air Training Device Final Rule
Rule would have allowed instrument pilot trainees to obtain credit for up to 20 hours of instrument time in an approved aviation training device.
Charter & Fractional
Avinode Aims To Build U.S. Market Share
Charter portal Avinode serves the needs of charter operators and brokers, but not buyers of charter services.
Safety
AIN Blog: Don't Fear the Quadcopter
Quadcopters are fun and capable machines, but pilots need to operate them safely and carefully.
Avionics
Satcom Direct Router Supports Speedier Streaming
Passengers can make calls and send texts using their own smartphone numbers.
Avionics
Satcom1 Testing SwiftBroadband Channel Bonding
Testing has reached a stable output of 1.4 Mbps “over a significant period of time.”
Avionics
Touchscreens Clean Up Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck
With fly-by-wire active control sidesticks and touchscreen-controlled avionics, the Symmetry flight deck is clean and uncluttered.
Training and Workforce
Second Civil Test Pilot School Opens in Mojave
The International Flight Test Institute’s first group of students begin their studies in the six-month flying qualities course early next year.
FBOs
California Fuel Companies Settle Leaded Avgas Dispute
The agreement between fuel providers and the Center for Environmental Health requires the fuel distributors to warn residents living near airports.
Charter & Fractional
FAA Letter Implies CVR Required for Twin T-prop 135 Ops
GAMA, NATA and NBAA are meeting with FAA legal counsel to discuss CVR issue raised by letter of interpretation request.
Charter & Fractional
Teamsters Local 1108 Elects New Leaders
IBT 1108 president and principal officer Mat Slinghoff will be replaced on Jan. 1 by newly elected president Efrem Vojta.
Charter & Fractional
Union Drive Under Way for Pilots at TMC
Teamsters Local 1108 is facilitating a union representation vote by pilots at Travel Management Company later this month.
Airports
FAA, Industry Mull LED Airport Lighting Issues
There is concern that LED airport lights have not been tested with enhanced vision systems, night-vision goggles and HUDs.
Avionics
Alcatel, Inmarsat Plan European ATG Satcom Service
The system promises speeds of up to 75 Mbps, about 50 percent faster than Inmarsat’s upcoming GX satcom system.
Charter & Fractional
Now Closed, CitationAir Surrenders Certificate to FAA
The Part 135 certificate for CitationShares Management LLC dba CitationAir has been removed from the FAA's National Vital Information Subsystem database.
Safety
ArincDirect Fully Integrated by Rockwell Collins
ArincDirect is highlighting fuel tankering, integrated weight-and-balance cacluations, FOS integration and connectivity solutions.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Rockwell Collins Aims to Deliver Reliable IFE
Another Airbus A340 operator has selected the Rockwell Collins Venue inflight entertain/cabin management system.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Gogo Adding Text & Talk to SwiftBroadband Satcom
Gogo is expanding its presence in the Middle East with a new office in Dubai and an agent in Abu Dhabi.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Rockwell Collins Aims to Deliver Reliable IFE
Another Airbus A340 operator has selected the Rockwell Collins Venue inflight entertain/cabin management system.
Avionics
Lower-priced Max-Viz EVS Launched by Astronics
FAA certification for the Max-Viz 1400 is expected next year.
Avionics
Inmarsat GX Aviation Ground Stations Completed
The GX Aviation high-speed broadband satcom service is set to launch “early in the second half of 2015.”
Maintenance and Modifications
Textron To Set Up Cessna, Beech Maintenance Training in Wichita
Facility will start with maintenance training for in-production Beechcraft airplanes in January 2016 and Cessna models a year later.
Safety
Study: Security of Aviation Apps Questioned
Pilots should double-check data presented on aviation tablet applications to prevent possible security breaches.
Safety
Proposed Rule for Third-class Medical Relief in Limbo
An FAA notice of proposed rulemaking may allow private pilots to fly without a medical certificate.
Accidents
MU-2 Probable Cause Leaves Key Questions Unanswered
The NTSB’s report on the probable cause of the crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2 does not solve the mystery of the accident.
Aircraft
Bombardier Global 7000 Aiming For 2015 First Flight
Suppliers and the OEM are ramping up assembly of the first flight test Global 7000.
Training and Workforce
AIN Blog: Reaching Out to Aviation's Future Employees
Barrington Irving's visit to Southern California inspires ideas about how to attract kids to aviation careers.
Regulations and Government
AIN Blog: Model Aircraft Are Officially Subject to FAA Oversight
Model airplanes are aircraft, according to the National Transportation Safety Board
