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 FAA has issued a supplemental type certificate (STC) to Hartzell Propeller for its new Frontier aluminum propeller for the Cessna 180 Skywagon powered by Continental O-470 engines. The STC for the two-blade propeller covers Skywagon A-J models.
Featuring an 88-inch diameter, the propeller’s blades feature a scimitar design and an aluminum hub. With the new Frontier Top Prop installed, Skywagon owners will realize up to a 5% improvement in ground roll, total takeoff distance, and climb performance.
Also in the Top Prop series is the three-blade Navigator carbon-fiber propeller with additional STC approvals covering Beechcraft A36, G36, and A36TC models. According to Hartzell, the Navigator increases true airspeed on those models by three to seven knots, “depending on the power setting,” and reduces airframe vibration.
At EAA AirVenture, Hartzell and the company’s Whirlwind propellers are featured on many of the airshow aerobatic airplanes, including Michael Goulian’s Extra 330SC, Matt Younkin’s Beech 18 twin, Paul Bennet’s Wolf Pitts Pro, and Jarrod Lindemann’s Jet Waco.

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.

Hartzell Propeller Adds Frontier and Navigator Top Prop STC approvals

New propellers available on Cessna 180 Skywagons and Beechcraft A36s

At EAA AirVenture, Hartzell and the company’s Whirlwind propellers are featured on many of the airshow aerobatic airplanes, including Michael Goulian’s Extra 330SC, Matt Younkin’s Beech 18 twin, Paul Bennet’s Wolf Pitts Pro, and Jarrod Lindemann’s Jet Waco.

Hartzell Adds Frontier and Navigator Top Prop STCs

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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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.

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.

Program also allows upgrades during the service event

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Curt Epstein

Belgrade-based company specializes in Citation maintenance

Prince Aviation Does Eight Engine Swaps in Five Days

Consolidates activities under Chip Kiehn, new v-p of propeller programs

Blackhawk Group Launches New Propeller Solutions Group

David Donald

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.

Kepplair’s fire-fighting ATR72 conversion should be ready for market in 2027

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

EAA AirVenture 2026

In this article

Hartzell Propeller

More In Maintenance and Modifications

Elliott Aviation Launches Five Day Pre-buy Evaluations

Program also allows upgrades during the service event

Prince Aviation Does Eight Engine Swaps in Five Days

Belgrade-based company specializes in Citation maintenance

Blackhawk Group Launches New Propeller Solutions Group

Consolidates activities under Chip Kiehn, new v-p of propeller programs

Corsica Technics Signs for ATR72 Firefighting Kits

Kepplair’s fire-fighting ATR72 conversion should be ready for market in 2027

Boeing Predicts 20-year $4.9T Commercial Support Demand

2026 outlooks similar to 2025 projections

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With Flyparts integration, Crewchief MX users have easy access to 2 million aircraft parts

PPG Aerospace Intros New Aircraft Paint Preview Platform

Tool eliminates traditional paint sample books

DAS Aviation Adds Heat Exchanger Mx for Cessna Jets

Company offers two-week turnaround on repairs

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