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

Bell Textron has made its first sale of a Model 505 helicopter in the Netherlands to Gerrit Verwijs, owner of Verdegro Group, a manufacturer of public safety infrastructure. Verdegro will use the Bell 505 for business trips in Europe, including showing customers its facilities near Breda in the Netherlands.
The Safran Arrius 2R-powered light helicopter features Garmin G1000H integrated avionics with synthetic vision and a five-seat cabin with wide panoramic windows. With a cruise speed of 125 knots and range of 306 nm, the 505 can hover in ground effect to 14,450 feet or out of ground effect at 10,460 feet.
“The Bell 505 will redefine our company travels across Europe,” Verwijs said. “We will be way more efficient in meeting multiple customers in a short time period. The helicopter allows us to take our customers to different project sites and easily present our footprint near Breda.”
More than 100 Bell 505s have been sold to customers in Europe. “Bell is proud to work alongside the Verdegro Group as they welcome their first Bell aircraft,” said Robin Wendling, Bell managing director of Europe. “With the expansion of the Bell 505 to the Netherlands, we are excited to enter a new era of supporting customers in the region with the multi-mission capabilities of this platform.”

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Bell’s First 505 Sale to Netherlands Goes to Verdegro Group

Company will use the helicopter for business travel in Europe

Verdegro will use the 505 for business trips in Europe, including showing customers its facilities near Breda in the Czech Republic.

Bell’s First 505 Sale to Netherlands Goes to Verdegro

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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 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.

Coverage supports more than 60 helicopters in SAR and offshore energy operations

Bristow, Sikorsky Sign S-92 Enhanced Support Agreement

Jessica Reed

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

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.

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.

Commercial helicopter deliveries jump to 29 units as FLRAA program drives military growth

Bell Revenues Surge 35% in First Quarter

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

HUMS will enable in-flight exceedance detection and immediate alerting functionality

Skytrac and Sikorsky Partner on Next-gen HUMS for S-92s

Charles Alcock

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

Helicopter has been used for patient transfer missions in British Columbia

Helijet Gifts S-76A for Medical Flights in Ukraine 

Amy Wilder

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.

In this article

Bell 505 Jet Ranger X

Bell

More In Rotorcraft

Bristow, Sikorsky Sign S-92 Enhanced Support Agreement

Coverage supports more than 60 helicopters in SAR and offshore energy operations

Bell Revenues Surge 35% in First Quarter

Commercial helicopter deliveries jump to 29 units as FLRAA program drives military growth

Skytrac and Sikorsky Partner on Next-gen HUMS for S-92s

HUMS will enable in-flight exceedance detection and immediate alerting functionality

Helijet Gifts S-76A for Medical Flights in Ukraine

Helicopter has been used for patient transfer missions in British Columbia

Spanish Super Pumas Log 437 Hours Battling Chile Fires

Fire season activity up 20% over last year

Kitz-Air Becomes Latest Bell 412EPX Customer in Europe

Austrian operator signed an order during the Aero Friedrichshafen show in Germany

Settlement Reached in Hansen Helicopters Case

Agreement enjoins civil defendants from illegal activities for which Hansen was convicted

Unither Achieves First Hydrogen-powered Helicopter Flight

Pioneering liftoff took place in Bromont, Québec

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN