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

Pilots and owners of Piper single-engine piston- and turboprop-powered M-Class (PA-46) airplanes gathered at the 2026 Piper M-Class Owners &amp; Pilots Association (PMOPA) Convention in Colorado Springs October 8-11 to share safety information, attend technical sessions, and spend time with fellow Piper aficionados.
Piper Aircraft highlighted its progress on extending the M600 and M700 Fury airframes’ life to 10,000 hours. FAA approval is expected in the second quarter of 2027. A diesel option for the PA-46 is of “continued interest,” according to Piper v-p of sales, marketing, and customer support Ron Gunnarson.&nbsp;
Safety sessions included an examination of PA-46 accidents and incidents by Manny Casiano, PMOPA Safety &amp; Education Foundation chair; the risks of overreliance on cockpit automation; and introductory and advanced safety training led by Caitlin McCarthy, a Platinum-level CFI in PMOPA’s M-Class Standardized Instructor Pilot program. More than a dozen technical sessions covered piston and turboprop operations, maintenance, avionics, and flight-planning applications, and a “Conversation with Piper Engineering” gave attendees a chance to discuss aircraft needs with Piper officials.
More than 100 pilots met the requirements for PMOPA’s Master Aviator program, which the association says promotes safety, learning, and technical mastery. “Our members gained practical insights they can apply every time they fly, reinforcing PMOPA’s commitment to safety, advocacy, and community,” said PMOPA CEO Mike Nichols.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Piper PA-46 Owners Enjoy PMOPA Convention Safety and Sharing Benefits

M-Class owners gathered in Colorado Springs for annual convention 

Pilots and owners of Piper single-engine piston- and turboprop-powered M-Class airplanes gathered at the 2026 PMOPA Convention to share safety information, attend technical sessions, and spend time with fellow Piper aficionados.

Piper PA-46 Owners Enjoy PMOPA Convention Benefits

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Piper

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