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

Collins Aerospace is a prominent aerospace and defense company specializing in the development and manufacture of advanced technology solutions. They offer a wide range of products and services, including avionics, aircraft interiors, mission systems, and space systems. 

California’s San Bernardino International Airport (KSBD) is the first airfield to implement Collins Aerospace’s Tower MicroElite (TME) system, an FAA-approved airborne position reference tool. The approval allows airports to deploy TME at eligible FAA contract tower airports and privately operated air traffic control facilities.
TME enhances situational awareness at towers without access to FAA traffic feeds such as radar or other surveillance systems, so controllers must rely on visual observation of air traffic. “Many smaller airports rely on visual observation and radio calls to control traffic,” said Nicole White, v-p and general manager of connected aviation at Collins Aerospace. “TME provides true real-time modern surveillance.”
Installing TME is less costly and simpler versus a dedicated radar system. “TME is a turnkey display and surveillance solution,” she said, “providing a clear real-time picture of their airspace by combining ADS-B and the radar surveillance feed. There is no major infrastructure, and it’s efficient in a wide range of environments.”
For controllers, the interface is familiar because Collins designed TME based on its Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System, “providing controllers a familiar, industry-standard interface to monitor and manage complex aircraft sequencing,” according to the company.&nbsp;
TME can be deployed at any airport, White said. “It’s customizable, and the displays and overlays can be tailored to their unique needs and geography. This allows them to configure the system to what’s best for their use.”
Timing of the first deployment of TME coincides with the FAA’s plans to modernize the National Airspace System. “We’re excited to get it into the field,” she said. “We have a team of experts out actively talking to a lot of these contract towers and airports.”

News, issues, personnel, equipment and developments about air traffic management.

San Bernardino Airport Deploys Collins Tower MicroElite System

First installation follows FAA approval for airborne position reference tool

Tower MicroElite enhances controller situational awareness because these towers don’t have access to FAA traffic feeds such as radar or other surveillance systems.

San Bernardino Deploys Collins Tower MicroElite System

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

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.

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.

$50 million facility supports the FAA’s ATC overhaul

Indra’s Olathe Plant Hits Full Swing on Radios, Radars

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

NBAA-BACE 2026

In this article

Collins Aerospace

More In ATC

Indra’s Olathe Plant Hits Full Swing on Radios, Radars

$50 million facility supports the FAA’s ATC overhaul

Nav Canada Sees Less Air Traffic Delays as Staffing Rises

Service delays dropped by 85%

FAA Gets SMART To Improve Airspace Congestion

Tool will help predict where pinch points in the National Airspace System may arise

FAA Modernizing SWIM Data with Solace Contract Extension

Solace is providing Enhanced SWIM Cloud Services

Duffy: U.S. Needs Another $30B To Fund New ATC, Airports

$30 billion request is almost a $10 billion increase over original ask

Construction Accident Cripples Northeast Air Traffic

ATC outage was caused by an accidental cable cutting

Bizav Traffic Impacted by UK Air Traffic Control Failure

Thousands of commercial airline flights were canceled on Tuesday and Wednesday

FAA Installs Surface Radars at Key Airports and Awards $74.3M to AT&T

KDCA and KEWR receive SMR-4 installations, while IDIQ AT&T covers coms

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN