Matt Thurber
Editor-in-Chief

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&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.

Latest from Matt Thurber

Cabin Interior and Electronics

Starlink Doubles Aviation Prices, Adds Region Boundaries

New service plans distinguish between a single area and global coverage
Starlink satellite
Avionics

Garmin Unveils Axis Avionics with Prime Elements for GA

Displays feature built-in GPS navigators, navcoms, and audio panels
Garmin Axis in Bonanza airplane
Aircraft

New Pilots To Train in Rotax-powered Cirrus TRAC10

Third seat enables observer pilot to participate in training flights
Cirrus TRAC10 training airplane
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Gogo Galileo Now Available for Gulfstream G650/G650ER

HDX antenna installed under the tail-mounted radome
Gulfstream G650 business jet
Security

Boeing Offering Cyber Protection with SkyGuard Service

Digital twin technology eliminates the need for physical access to the aircraft
SkyRay cybersecurity technology
Maintenance and Modifications

Duncan Aviation Opens Expanded Turbine Engine Shop

Facility will serve growing global customer base
Todd Duncan and Lincoln, Nebraska mayor Leiron Baird
Operations

AI Powers New Jeppesen ForeFlight Features

Releases include ClearNotams, a ChatGPT connector, and flight school Scheduler
ForeFlight AI Connector
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

ForeFlight Adds Aircraft Owners to Insurance Offering

To be available starting at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh from July 20 to 26
ForeFlight Insurance
Maintenance and Modifications

Klatt Works Appoints Duncan as SAVED Mask Dealer

System is designed to help pilots manage smoke-in-cockpit emergencies
Klatt Works SAVED mask for smoke-in-cockpit emergencies
Regulations and Government

FAA, EASA Renew Cooperative Efforts at Safety Summit

Regulators promised to address key issues and review progress regularly
Maintenance and Modifications

Crewchief’s AI Tool Lets Users Do the Asking

Natural-language queries make valuable information instantly available
Crewchief Systems aviation data platform
Maintenance and Modifications

Textron Aviation Prague Mx Center Celebrates 15th Year

Opened in 2011 to serve growing needs of European operators
Textron Aviation Prague service center
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Boost Cargo Baskets Fitted with Starlink Mini Mount

Antenna attachment system securely holds antenna in place
Boost Systems Starlink mini mount
Charter & Fractional

Magellan Jets Releases Jet Card with Custom Hours

No longer limited to 25-hour increments, buyers can opt for the hours they need
Magellan Jets
Rotorcraft

Airbus Secures Contract for Czech Police H145s

New twin-engine rotorcraft will replace a fleet of H135s
Airbus H145 helicopter for Czech police service
Charter & Fractional

Jury Finds AeroVanti’s Britton-Harr Guilty of Wire Fraud

Maximum penalty is 20 years in prison per each of six counts
AeroVanti branded Piaggio Avanti P.180 in flight
Aircraft

Bye Aerospace Reveals Electric Airplane Suppliers

Company says its eFlyer 2 is expected to achieve first flight soon
Bye Aerospace eFlyer 2 prototype
Avionics

Garmin Expands Navigation Database To Include Africa

Adds 40 countries in Africa with airspace info, IFR procedures, frequencies, etc.
Garmin Africa navigation database
Maintenance and Modifications

Equivu Capital Buys Majority Stake in Leading Edge

Company specializes in business aviation interior and exterior detailing and appearance
Leading Edge Aviation Services
Accidents

NetJets Latitude Accident Marks First Frax Fatality

Diverted from planned flight to Austin and landed on road
ADS-B Exchange flight-tracking of NetJets Latitude
Aircraft

Metrojet Places First Global 8000 in Asia into Service

Ultra-long-range jet joins the Hong Kong company’s managed fleet
Metrojet Global 8000 business jet
Avionics

GFD Picks Universal Avionics for Learjet 35A/36A Upgrade

Modification replaces original instrumentation with glass cockpit displays
Universal Avionics and GFD agreement
Operations

Challenger 601 Lands on Nigeria Highway after Go-around

Airport’s runway is nearly 12,000 feet long versus the 7,000-foot road
Challenger 601 taking off from road in Nigeria
Operations

Hop-A-Jet Expanding Managed Fleet to New Types

First addition is a Cessna Citation X
Hop-A-Jet Cessna Citation X business jet
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Dassault Gets STC for Gogo Galileo on Falcon 7X/8X

HDX antenna provides download speeds up to 60 Mbps
Gogo Galileo approved on Falcon 7X/8X
Rotorcraft

Avincis Orders Up to 30 Airbus, Leonardo Helicopters

Deliveries will take place from 2028 through 2031
Avincis AW169 helicopter
Operations

Floating Fleet AI Expands To Serve Broader Market

Scheduling software helps companies reduce costs and improve efficiency
Floating Fleet AI software
Charter & Fractional

Sweet Helicopters Breaks Indy 500 Passenger Record

Race teams and fans took advantage of flights from four locations to turn two at the track
Sweet Helicopters flying passengers to the Indy 500 race
Maintenance and Modifications

AircraftIQ Connects Info for Keeping Accurate Track

Software created after founder’s airplane suffered an emergency landing
AircraftIQ tracking and management software
Safety

Jet Linx Pauses Operations for 10th Annual Safety Summit

Charter operator closes for one day each year to promote safety practices
Jamie Walker, executive chairman, Jet Linx