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

Underscoring the importance of teaching pilots how to improve decision-making in challenging conditions, Ryan Aerospace and Precision Flight Controls are demonstrating Ryan’s Helimod Mark III and III+ virtual reality simulators at the VAI Rotor Safety Zone this week at Heli-Expo 2024.
The U.S. Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) has created detailed scenarios as part of its "Recommended Practice—Simulation Training for Aviation Decision Making" efforts. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Fort Worth, Texas-based Helicopter Institute are adapting these scenarios to the Helimod VR simulators so pilots can practice scenarios this summer involving aeronautical decision-making related to loss of control-inflight, unintended flight in instrument meteorological conditions, and low-altitude operations.
A key element of the training is informed by the USHST’s award-winning "56 Seconds To Live" video. “The USHST is placing a strong emphasis on the fatal topic of unintentional instrument meteorological conditions involving helicopter operations,” according to Ryan Aerospace.
The Helimod devices are used by the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as many helicopter operators and training providers. The VR capability includes the ability to “see” sling loads for sling training, and the Helimod Mark III+ adds full electronic control load for cyclic, collective, and anti-torque pedals.

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

Ryan and Precision Flight Controls Demo VR Helimod Flight Simulator

Available training scenarios will help helicopter pilots survive challenging situations

The Helimod devices are used by the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force as well as many helicopter operators and training providers.

Ryan and Precision Demo VR Helimod Simulator

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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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.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

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News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

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.

7000XR Series full-flight simulator features CAE’s Prodigy visual system

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Curt Epstein

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

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.

The company previously offered only flight training

Thrust Flight adds A&P, Dispatcher Training

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

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.

Heli-Expo 2024

In this article

Ryan Aerospace

Precision Flight Controls

More In Training and Workforce

People in Aviation - August 2025

People in Aviation - August 2025

Textron Unveils M-346N Jet Trainer for U.S. Navy Bid

U.S./Italian partnership will compete with Boeing’s T-7A and Lockheed Martin T-50A

King Schools Announces Scholarship Winners, New Courses

Test prep app will help mechanic candidates prepare for examinations

Porter Pilots Start Training on CAE’s E195-E2 Simulator

7000XR Series full-flight simulator features CAE’s Prodigy visual system

Thrust Flight adds A&P, Dispatcher Training

The company previously offered only flight training

Air Charter Association Launches 2025 Internship Program

15 young people will start the program with a week’s training at London Biggin Hill Airport

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Users can search by category, type rating, location, and last name

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