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

After Darrin Smedmo’s 1946 Stinson 108 was <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2025-10-30/tribal-trial-solve-confiscated-stinson-108-situation">confiscated</a> following his engine-failure emergency landing on the Red Lake Nation’s tribal reservation on Oct. 15, 2025, the tribe finally released it after more than seven months. Smedsmo brought his Stinson to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and displayed it mounted on a trailer outside the AOPA exhibit, highlighting AOPA’s help in returning the airplane and in the effort to change a 1978 Red Lake Nation resolution that claims sovereignty over airspace above the reservation up to 20,000 feet.
Luckily, other than the seized-up engine, there was no damage from the Stinson’s detention, while it was parked outside. When the airplane was released, Smedsmo’s mechanic and some friends helped remove the wings and loaded the Stinson onto a trailer and brought it back to Roseau, Minnesota.
On March 27, the FAA sent a letter to Red Lake Nation leaders reminding the tribe that the agency has jurisdiction over all airspace in the U.S. According to a statement provided to AIN, “The FAA informed Minnesota’s Red Lake Nation that its ban on aircraft flying over its lands at an altitude of less than 20,000 feet violates federal law and that it must stop enforcing it. The FAA also demanded the Nation stop its legal proceeding against a pilot who made an emergency landing on the Red Lake Reservation and return his aircraft that it unlawfully seized. The FAA’s letter notes that federal law gives the FAA sole jurisdiction over U.S. airspace, and the Nation’s ban conflicts with a public air route over the reservation.”
During the seven months that the vintage airlane was impounded, Smedsmo formed a non-profit organization to raise money to fight the Red Lake resolution. “We will continue to press for the federal case to get this clarified,” he said. “I got it back, but I believe the fight is has just begun. It was great to get my airplane back.&nbsp;It was a pawn, and I was willing to put it on the line for this fight for all pilots.”

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.

Darrin Smedsmo’s Freed Stinson 108 Airplane on Display at Oshkosh

Airplane was detained after he made an emergency landing on tribal land

On March 27, the FAA sent a letter to Red Lake Nation leaders reminding the tribe that the agency has jurisdiction over all airspace in the U.S. 

Darrin Smedsmo’s Freed Stinson on Display at Oshkosh

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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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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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.

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

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News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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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.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

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Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

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.

UK’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham may not appear at airshow

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News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

Proposal could discriminate against business aviation sector

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Gordon Gilbert

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

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.

EAA AirVenture 2026

More In Regulations and Government

NBAA Hails Senate Progress on Three Aviation Bills

The measures cover advanced air mobility certification, medications, and supersonic flight

Florida Backs Eve’s Advanced Air Mobility Research

Work will use the SunTrax Air research and development hub

VAI Thanks Senator for Introducing Aviation Safety Bill

Proposed legislation aims to improve pilot awareness, hazard markings, and reports for low-altitude obstructions

U.S. Senate Exploring Next $10B in Funding for ATC

Sen. Moran cited supplemental appropriations as a possible vehicle

UK Industry Concerned by Policy Lag under New PM

UK’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham may not appear at airshow

EBAA Voices Concerns Over EU-ETS Plan's Impact on Bizav

Proposal could discriminate against business aviation sector

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Civil Aviation Authority hopes to reduce risk of midair collision

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Rule is performance-based, encouraging innovation, company maintains

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