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

Quanta Services has purchased helicopter operator Billings Flying Service, adding the latter’s fleet of super-heavy-lift CH-47 Chinook rotorcraft and support services to its offerings. No changes to locations or staff will occur, and Billings Flying Service will maintain control and execution of existing contracts.
Located in Billings, Montana, Billings Flying Service operates a fleet of Chinooks for aerial firefighting, utility, and construction work. The company’s Part 145 repair station is approved by Boeing for Chinook maintenance and by Honeywell for flight control systems MRO on the CH-46, 234, CH-47D, and CH-47D+. Customers include commercial operators and U.S. and foreign militaries. Quanta Services is an infrastructure solutions provider for utility, renewable energy, technology, communications, pipeline, and energy industries.
“This acquisition gives Billings Flying Service access to greater resources and long-term stability for growth while doing what we love: providing excellent service to our customers,” said Bridger Blain, president and CEO of Billings Flying Service. “As we integrate into the Quanta Aviation Services family, our leadership, culture, and identity will remain unchanged.”&nbsp;
“Billings has built an exceptional reputation in heavy lift and aerial firefighting, along with a culture and drive that perfectly complements our expanding aviation portfolio,” said Justin Gunsauls, president of Quanta Aviation Services.

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

Quanta Services Acquires CH-47D Operator Billings Flying Service

Montana-based company operates Chinooks for aerial firefighting, utility, and construction work

Located in Billings, Montana, Billings Flying Service operates a fleet of Chinooks for aerial firefighting, utility, and construction work.

Quanta Services Acquires Billings Flying Service

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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.

Lidar-based system can improve safety in visibility-challenged environments 

Robinson, Lake Fusion Team on Obstacle Detection System

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Program covers 5 years, 2,000 hours, and AOG and troubleshooting assistance

Robinson, Safran Team on R88 Engine Support

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.

The twin rotor helicopter represents the cutting edge of Russian helicopter technology.

Russian Kamov Ka-52 Helicopter Flies at Dubai Airshow

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.

Deliveries support oil and gas missions in Nigeria

Five New Airbus H160s Join Bristow Under Lease

Charles Alcock

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

Three more 505 singles and a 429 will be delivered in Europe

Bell Signs Orders For Four Helicopters in Europe

Curt Epstein

Deal is with Airbus Nordic distributor Østnes Helicopters 

Airbus Snags 10-ship H125 Order at European Rotors

Charlotte Bailey

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.

More In Rotorcraft

Robinson, Lake Fusion Team on Obstacle Detection System

Lidar-based system can improve safety in visibility-challenged environments

Robinson, Safran Team on R88 Engine Support

Program covers 5 years, 2,000 hours, and AOG and troubleshooting assistance

Russian Kamov Ka-52 Helicopter Flies at Dubai Airshow

The twin rotor helicopter represents the cutting edge of Russian helicopter technology.

Five New Airbus H160s Join Bristow Under Lease

Deliveries support oil and gas missions in Nigeria

Bell Signs Orders For Four Helicopters in Europe

Three more 505 singles and a 429 will be delivered in Europe

Airbus Snags 10-ship H125 Order at European Rotors

Deal is with Airbus Nordic distributor Østnes Helicopters

Abu Dhabi-backed eVTOL Nears First Flight in UAE

Autocraft confident E20+ aircraft will receive GCAA certification in 2027 or 2028

Rotortrade Delivers H135T3 from Italy to Star Air India

VIP-equipped helicopter will be flown in corporate and charter operations

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