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

Metro Aviation has become the first completion center to develop an emergency medical services (EMS) interior for the Airbus H160 helicopter. The company also signed a purchase agreement to buy 12 H140s, which it will offer for purchase and completion at its Shreveport, Louisiana headquarters.
Scheduled to be completed in first-quarter 2026, the H160 EMS supplemental type certificate (STC)&nbsp;will also be available as a kit for installation by qualified facilities and in other countries.&nbsp;Features of the STC include “intensive-care-capable stretcher systems, medical equipment interfaces, optimized patient/caregiver cabin layouts, and efficient loading access,” according to Metro,
The first two U.S. deliveries of the light-twin H140 are scheduled for 2029 and will go to Metro Aviation. Its large cabin is ideally suited for intensive-care stretchers and transport incubators, and patient loading is eased by the side sliding doors and rear-clamshell door, thanks to the T-shaped tailboom. Like the H160, the H140 will be equipped with a Fenestron shrouded tail rotor and the Airbus Helicopters Helionix avionics suite.

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

Metro Aviation First with Emergency Medical Services Mod for Airbus H160

Delivery of the first modified helicopter is due in early 2026

The H160 EMS supplemental type certificate will also be available as a kit for installation by qualified facilities and in other countries.

Metro Aviation First with EMS STC for Airbus H160

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Jessica Reed

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 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.

Q3 revenues climbed 10% year over year, driven by accelerating work on the MV-75 program

Bell’s Commercial Helicopter Deliveries Slide in Q3 

Neelam Mathews

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.

Indian H125 final assembly line expected by March 2026

Mahindra Joins Rotor Chain as Tata-Airbus Readies H125 FAL

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

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.

Four-axis system will help pilots reduce risk in critical phases of flight

Heli Austria Picks Thales/StandardAero StableLight Autopilot

Hanneke Weitering

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

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.

Hybrid-electric VTOL cargo drones designed to scale for multiple missions

Sikorsky Unveils Nomad Family of Autonomous Drones

LifeFlight Australia and Linfox joint venture expects to fly the new fleet 1,500 hours a year

StarFlight To Add Three Airbus H145s to Medevac Fleet

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.

In this article

H160

Metro Aviation

More In Rotorcraft

Bell’s Commercial Helicopter Deliveries Slide in Q3

Q3 revenues climbed 10% year over year, driven by accelerating work on the MV-75 program

Mahindra Joins Rotor Chain as Tata-Airbus Readies H125 FAL

Indian H125 final assembly line expected by March 2026

Heli Austria Picks Thales/StandardAero StableLight Autopilot

Four-axis system will help pilots reduce risk in critical phases of flight

Sikorsky Unveils Nomad Family of Autonomous Drones

Hybrid-electric VTOL cargo drones designed to scale for multiple missions

StarFlight To Add Three Airbus H145s to Medevac Fleet

LifeFlight Australia and Linfox joint venture expects to fly the new fleet 1,500 hours a year

UK Air Ambulance Services Demand Operational Reforms

Emergency air services group joins calls for the UK to readopt EGNOS navigation

FAA Policy Allows for OSHA-approved HEC Harnesses

Allows use of restraints as an alternative to TSO-C167–approved harnesses

Coptersafety Adding Second AW139 Full-flight Simulator

New device will be available for pilot training in the first half of 2027

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN