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

Textron’s Pipistrel introduced the Voyager training airplane today at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. The two-seat Voyager—base price €240,000 ($274,000)—is designed to meet the FAA’s MOSAIC performance-based certification regulations.
Resembling the Pipistrel Alpha trainer, a light-sport-aircraft design that is limited to a 1,320-pound mtow and 120-knot top speed, the all-composite Voyager will have an mtow of 1,389 pounds and a useful load of 552 pounds. Powered by a 100-hp Rotax 912 ULS piston engine, the Voyager can fly 740 nm with IFR reserves and can be used for instrument training, including in instrument meteorological conditions. Pipistrel will obtain spin certification so flight instructor candidates can obtain the required spin training.
Like other Pipistrel models, the Voyager is equipped with a ballistic parachute. Avionics are Garmin’s new Axis touchscreen display system with a three-axis GFC 500 autopilot featuring a level button and electronic stability and protection, a GI 275 backup instrument, and a haptic stall-warning system. The Voyager has two wing fuel tanks, instead of the single fuselage fuel tank in the Alpha, and thus is equipped with a fuel selector to switch between tanks. Moving the fuel to the wings also allowed Pipistrel to add a baggage compartment with an external access door.
Epic Flight Academy is the launch customer for the Voyager and has placed orders for up to 50 of them. Once deliveries begin, the company plans to deploy Voyagers at each of its 12 locations.
“MOSAIC represents a fundamental shift in how aircraft are developed and brought to market, and the Voyager is leading the way in both these innovations and in access,” said Textron Aviation senior v-p of engineering Chris Hearne. “It enables more capable aircraft, faster introduction of new technology, and greater flexibility in how aircraft are used across training and operations. Because these standards are performance-based and grounded in proven safety data, they allow innovation to move at a pace that better reflects today’s technology while maintaining the high bar the industry expects.”

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.

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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.

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.

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