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

Cirrrus has delivered the 11,000 SR-series piston-single airplane some 26 years after the first was delivered in 1999. The early models were equipped with vacuum-driven instruments and avionics that at the time were advanced, adding electronic features that would later morph into sophisticated glass cockpits with highly capable autopilots.
The milestone 11,000th Cirrus is a top-of-the-line turbocharged SR22T with the Garmin-based Perspective Touch+ avionics suite and Safe Return Emergency Autoland, which are also featured in the SR20 and SR22 G7+ models.&nbsp;Featuring a dark green “Monteverde” paint scheme, the interior of S/N 11,000 is fitted with premium materials in Vision Green, Concrete Alcantara, and matte carbon fiber.
Other features of the G7+ series include automatic, remote avionics database updates via Wi-Fi or cellular data; runway occupancy awareness system that predicts and alerts “pilots of potential runway incursions from nearby airborne aircraft or other aircraft on or approaching the runway;" and smart pitot heat switches on and off automatically in flight based on outside air temperatures.
Although performance of the all-composite airplanes has changed little since 1999, Cirrus has consistently upgraded each generation, from the original G1 through the current G7+. All are equipped with the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System, which has been used 142 times, saving 287 people as of November 13, according to the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association.

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.

N11000 Marks Delivery of the 11,000th Cirrus SR Series Piston Airplane

First generation, all-composite aircraft entered service in 1999

Although performance of the all-composite airplanes has changed little since 1999, Cirrus has consistently upgraded each generation, from the original G1 through the G7+. 

N11000 Marks Delivery of the 11,000th Cirrus SR Series

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charlotte Bailey

Completion of final VX4 prototype doubles airborne testing capacity 

Vertical Adds Full-Scale eVTOL Prototype To Flight Test Campaign

Hanneke Weitering

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

FAA certification tests set to begin in 2026

Joby Ramps eVTOL Production, Plots Vertiport Network

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.

Approval clears the way for deliveries to U.S. customers

FAA Certifies Bombardier’s Ultra-long-range Global 8000

Charles Alcock

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

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

The Embraer-owned start-up aims to bring the four-seater to market in 2027

Eve Makes First Flight With eVTOL Aircraft Prototype

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

Show organizer has pushed back the timing of the annual event by a week 

Dates for EBACE 2026 Business Aviation Show Move to June

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.

Boeing-backed eVTOL developer launches highly anticipated flight test campaign

Wisk’s Gen 6 Autonomous Air Taxi Makes First Flight

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

In this article

Cirrus Aircraft

More In Aircraft

Vertical Adds Full-Scale eVTOL Prototype To Flight Test Campaign

Completion of final VX4 prototype doubles airborne testing capacity

Joby Ramps eVTOL Production, Plots Vertiport Network

FAA certification tests set to begin in 2026

FAA Certifies Bombardier’s Ultra-long-range Global 8000

Approval clears the way for deliveries to U.S. customers

Eve Makes First Flight With eVTOL Aircraft Prototype

The Embraer-owned start-up aims to bring the four-seater to market in 2027

Dates for EBACE 2026 Business Aviation Show Move to June

Show organizer has pushed back the timing of the annual event by a week

Wisk’s Gen 6 Autonomous Air Taxi Makes First Flight

Boeing-backed eVTOL developer launches highly anticipated flight test campaign

For eVTOL Pioneers Like Joby, the Gulf Region Is a Land of Opportunity

Joby Aviation has already been testing its aircraft in the region.

Dassault Appears Poised To Start Falcon 10X Flight Testing

A published image of a 10X prototype in Bordeaux appears to show ground tests underway

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