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

Otto Aerospace has trained a proprietary AI model to help speed up the process of configuring laminar-flow airfoils and design features so that the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-05-29/ottos-phantom-offers-midsize-performance-and-comfort">Phantom 3500</a> light jet can offer midsize-jet performance. The AI model uses Luminary Cloud’s GPU-accelerated Physics AI platform and its Shift-Wing physics model for aerodynamic analysis of transonic wings, according to Otto.
Two Williams International FJ44 turbofans mounted conventionally on the rear fuselage will power the Phantom 3500.&nbsp;The first flight is expected in 2027, and FAA certification in 2030. With a mtow of 19,000 pounds, the Phantom 3500 will be able to cruise at FL510, and offer NBAA IFR range with four passengers and a 100-nm alternate of 3,200 nm. The jet's fuselage has no windows in the cabin, which helps with aerodynamic smoothness. Passengers will have views of the outside world and other vistas on large screens in the cabin.&nbsp;
“Our Phantom 3500 program has generated extensive high-fidelity simulation and wind-tunnel test data,” said Obi Ndu, chief information and digital officer at Otto Aerospace. “At Otto, we believe that the future of aircraft design is at the intersection of artificial intelligence and first principles. Luminary’s platform gives us the computational power and infrastructure to quickly train an AI model optimized for next-generation laminar flow aircraft and our unique design approach.”

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.

AI Accelerates Otto Aerospace Phantom 3500 Light Jet Aerodynamics

Optimizes laminar-flow design of the clean-sheet jet

The AI model uses Luminary Cloud’s GPU-accelerated Physics AI platform and its Shift-Wing physics model for aerodynamic analysis of transonic wings, says Otto.

AI Accelerates Otto Aerospace Phantom 3500 Aerodynamics

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Bjorn Fehrm

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.

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.

It's all about production efficiency.

How Will the Next Generation Airliner be Produced?

Jessica Reed

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.

CEOs of Dassault Falcon Jet and Embraer Executive Jets discuss the state of the bizjet market

Execs Address Global Market Dynamics, Supply Chain

Curt Epstein

Business jet billings for the period surpass $12 billion

GAMA: Bizjet Deliveries and Airplane Billings Up in 1H

Kerry Lynch

JetNet forecast 9,700 business jet deliveries through 2034

JetNet Sees Bizjet Delivery Scale-up as Optimism Jumps

Charles Alcock

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.

Phase 3 of flight testing with a full-scale VX4 prototype is now complete

Vertical Aerospace’s eVTOL Aircraft Nears First Full Transition Flight

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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How Will the Next Generation Airliner be Produced?

It's all about production efficiency.

Execs Address Global Market Dynamics, Supply Chain

CEOs of Dassault Falcon Jet and Embraer Executive Jets discuss the state of the bizjet market

GAMA: Bizjet Deliveries and Airplane Billings Up in 1H

Business jet billings for the period surpass $12 billion

JetNet Sees Bizjet Delivery Scale-up as Optimism Jumps

JetNet forecast 9,700 business jet deliveries through 2034

Vertical Aerospace’s eVTOL Aircraft Nears First Full Transition Flight

Phase 3 of flight testing with a full-scale VX4 prototype is now complete

Business Aircraft Activity Heats Up Globally in August

Operations outpaced expectations in North America with a 4.4% gain

TAT Opens FutureWorks Innovation Center in North Carolina

Center will develop next-generation thermal management systems

Report Finds Big Differences in SMS, Large Bizjet Markets

New report believes clean-sheet bizjets may fall into super-midsize or large categories

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