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

MRO provider Pro Star Aviation yesterday opened its newest base, a Pilatus sales and service center, at Gerald R. Ford International Airport (KGRR) near Grand Rapids, Michigan. The facility supports Pilatus PC-12 turboprops and PC-24 jets, including sales, avionics upgrades, special mission modifications, and MRO.
The multi-bay hangar features a 17,000-sq-ft office building with a pilot lounge, flight-planning area, cafeteria, and quiet spaces.&nbsp;
“Completing this <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-05-02/pro-star-breaks-ground-grand-rapids-hangar-offices">expansion</a> into West Michigan is a proud accomplishment for our team, and we are delighted to celebrate such an important milestone,” said Pro Star Group CEO Henry Laughlin. “Providing our Pilatus customers in the region with exceptional service and support is of great importance, and this new facility will enable us to elevate that effort to the next level.”&nbsp;
Pro Star’s main facility is located at Manchester–Boston Regional Airport (KMHT) in New Hampshire. The Michigan center is one of 60 global independent Pilatus sales and service centers.
“We are delighted to see Pro Star undertake this significant expansion to the Pilatus-authorized center network,” said Pete Wolak, v-p of customer service at the company’s U.S. arm, Pilatus Business Aircraft. “We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional products, and our support network is equally important. This new facility in Grand Rapids will allow us to provide even better support to our customers in North America.”

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.

Pro Star Aviation Opens Michigan Pilatus Sales and Service Center

Facility is company’s second MRO location

Pro Star Aviation’s new multi-bay hangar in Michigan has a 17,000-sq-ft office building with a pilot lounge, flight planning area, cafeteria, and quiet spaces. 

Pro Star Aviation Opens Pilatus Sales and Service Center

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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.

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.

Move adds capabilities to serve Airbus, Boeing operators

Broward Aviation Buys Spares, Repairs Firm Support Air

Company now has three facilities approved for maintenance on Mexican aircraft

StandardAero Van Nuys Approved by Mexico Regulator

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.

Facility offers OEM-approved propeller repairs in Asia

APS Expands with New Propeller MRO Base in Malaysia

Curt Epstein

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.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

The AD-mandated process takes two weeks

Yingling Completes Its 1st Falcon Dry Bay Modification

Sarah Rose

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.

In this article

Pilatus PC-12 Series

Pilatus PC-24

Pro Star Aviation

More In Maintenance and Modifications

Broward Aviation Buys Spares, Repairs Firm Support Air

Move adds capabilities to serve Airbus, Boeing operators

StandardAero Van Nuys Approved by Mexico Regulator

Company now has three facilities approved for maintenance on Mexican aircraft

APS Expands with New Propeller MRO Base in Malaysia

Facility offers OEM-approved propeller repairs in Asia

Yingling Completes Its 1st Falcon Dry Bay Modification

The AD-mandated process takes two weeks

De Havilland Canada Sells Freighter Kits to Advantage Air

Dash 8-400 cargo fleet expands

GKN Aerospace Scales Additive Production

Fan case mount rings ring true

Luxaviation Earns Bizav First with EASA Tech Log Nod

Large fleet operator earned approval for its ETL platform

Pratt & Whitney Offers Hot Section Upgrade for GTF

Upgrade option will nearly double time on wing

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN