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&amp;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.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

Aircraft registered in Europe will no longer be able to carry Halon 1211 fire extinguishers after December 31, except for certain cargo comparment and fuel inerting applications that use Halon 1301. This rule does not apply to U.S.-registered aircraft flying in Europe, according to NBAA, but operators may want to consider that their Halon extinguishers will not be serviceable in Europe after the deadline, warned H3R Aviation senior v-p Chris Dieter.
In the U.S., Halon can still be used and is still available, although its manufacture has been prohibited since 1994. Enough Halon was made and is being recycled to keep extinguishers filled for probably the next 10 to 15 years, Dieter said, but it will eventually be exhausted.
To help European operators and others that want to switch to a non-Halon fire extinguishing substance, H3R Aviation has released a line of Halotron BRx extinguishers, which it is highlighting this week at NBAA-BACE. H3R is also offering a 10% discount at the show and holding a giveaway of a Halon extinguisher at its booth.
“The problem with BRx is it’s very pricey,” Dieter said, “four to five times as much as Halon. For a typical 347TS portable steel cylinder, the Halon type weighs 5 pounds. By making an aluminum cylinder, H3R Aviation was able to keep the size and weight of the Halotron product almost the same, at 5.1 pounds. Most of H3R’s Halotron cylinders are drop-in replacements with the same dimensions as the Halon type, so there is no problem fitting the replacement.
“We found that a lot of companies who contact us hadn’t realized that Halon is still available,” he said. Some customers from Europe are just learning about the rule, and in these cases Dieter tries to educate them not to buy a Halon extinguisher. “It’s not a good idea as they will have to replace it by the end of the year. We’re trying to get the word out.”

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

H3R Aviation Solves Halon Fire Extinguisher Replacement Problem

Halotron BRx is a suitable replacement but costs four to five times as much

To help European operators and others that want to switch to a non-Halon fire extinguishing substance, H3R Aviation has released a line of Halotron BRx extinguishers. 

H3R Aviation Solves Halon Replacement Problem

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Robert Sancetta

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

ECGs are required for pilots over 35 with an FAA first-class aeromedical

AINsight: The Screening Electrocardiogram for Pilots

Amy Wilder

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

FAA notices show enforcement at Palm Beach, Daytona Beach

Florida Bans Wx Modification Aircraft at Public Airports

Kerry Lynch

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and information about crew, passenger, aircraft and airport security issues.

IBAC had its largest delegation yet at most recent ICAO Assembly

IBAC Fully Represented as ICAO Tackles Safety, Security

CBP core functions continue but personnel furloughs may slow some processing

Universal Advises of Possible CBP Delays Amid Shutdown

Gordon Gilbert

Full system deployment expected in mid-2026, following a now underway transition period

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News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News, issues, personnel, equipment and developments about air traffic management.

Senior government officials and industry leaders will discuss safety, NAS, innovation

NBAA Lines Up Full Slate of Leaders for BACE Flight Deck

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

NBAA-BACE 2025

More In Regulations and Government

AINsight: The Screening Electrocardiogram for Pilots

ECGs are required for pilots over 35 with an FAA first-class aeromedical

Florida Bans Wx Modification Aircraft at Public Airports

FAA notices show enforcement at Palm Beach, Daytona Beach

IBAC Fully Represented as ICAO Tackles Safety, Security

IBAC had its largest delegation yet at most recent ICAO Assembly

Universal Advises of Possible CBP Delays Amid Shutdown

CBP core functions continue but personnel furloughs may slow some processing

Notam System Update Begins at FAA, but All-caps Remain

Full system deployment expected in mid-2026, following a now underway transition period

NBAA Lines Up Full Slate of Leaders for BACE Flight Deck

Senior government officials and industry leaders will discuss safety, NAS, innovation

FAA Worker Reps Urge Congress To End Shutdown

DOT estimates 17,000 FAA workers would be furloughed

Aviation Groups Call on Congress To Avert Govt. Shutdown

Groups sent letter warning of the damage to aviation a shutdown would bring

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