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

The upcoming sixth annual FlightSimExpo aims to highlight the growing sophistication of hobbyist flight simulators and the low cost of increasingly complex equipment. It will be&nbsp;held at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence from June 27 to 29.
According to show organizer and airline pilot Evan Reiter, visitors will see more virtual reality tools and reasonably priced peripherals for their simulator setups. For example, first-time exhibitor DOF Reality is showing motion platforms targeting home simulator builders. “Force feedback [was] a popular topic years ago that fell out of favor but has now come back in a bigger way,” Reiter told AIN. Also popular are G1000 panels, FMS control-display units, and autopilot panels.
“Previously, these were thousands of dollars per unit,” he said. “Now, developers like WinWing have got airliner-style setups available for hundreds, not thousands [of dollars].”
Also for the first time, aircraft manufacturer Patriot Aircraft will exhibit its Super Patriot Mark II, which is replicated in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 by Parallel 42.&nbsp;“We’re thrilled to welcome our first real-world aircraft manufacturer to FlightSimExpo,” said Reiter. “Since the creation of the show, we’ve been working to close the gap between simulation and real-world flying. Having both the real and MSFS versions of the Super Patriot at the event represents a milestone achievement.”

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

Sixth Annual FlightSimExpo To Step Up Flight Simulation Reality

Lower-cost but more sophisticated hardware is a theme for this year’s show

Aircraft manufacturer Patriot Aircraft will exhibit its Super Patriot Mark II, which is also replicated in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 by Parallel 42.

Sixth FlightSimExpo To Step Up Simulation Reality

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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.

Enables assessment of how students scan, process, and respond in a dynamic environment

CAE Demos Eye-tracking for ATC Controller Training

Plans call for the airline to purchase virtual reality simulators for pilot training

Alaska Airlines Venture Fund Invests in Loft Dynamics 

Amy Wilder

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.

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.

Haridopolos wins relief for aircraft manufacturer

Tariff Relief Shields Hundreds of Piper Aircraft Jobs

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.

Immersive, practical training programs are designed to improve safety

Affinity, SMS Aero Launch UK Training Collaboration 

Curt Epstein

The educational open house will feature industry members and learning insitutions

Santa Barbara Airport To Host Youth Aviation Job Fair

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

More In Training and Workforce

CAE Demos Eye-tracking for ATC Controller Training

Enables assessment of how students scan, process, and respond in a dynamic environment

Alaska Airlines Venture Fund Invests in Loft Dynamics

Plans call for the airline to purchase virtual reality simulators for pilot training

Tariff Relief Shields Hundreds of Piper Aircraft Jobs

Haridopolos wins relief for aircraft manufacturer

Affinity, SMS Aero Launch UK Training Collaboration

Immersive, practical training programs are designed to improve safety

Santa Barbara Airport To Host Youth Aviation Job Fair

The educational open house will feature industry members and learning insitutions

Maintenance Training Group Announces New Online Course

Featuring expert subject material, the interactive platform will launch mid-year

Angel Flight West Endeavor Awards Set for May 9 in L.A.

Event to include flyovers, tributes, and a week-long online auction

People in Aviation May 2025

James Viola is now GAMA president and CEO and Republic Airways president Bryan Bedford FAA Administrator nominee

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