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

Regulations and Government

‘Darrin’s Law’ Aims To Limit Tribal Airplane Taking

Emergency landing raised issue of Red Lake Nation's claims over reservation airspace
Engines

Honeywell Reveals Possible $470M Flexjet Lawsuit Cost

Complaint was filed in 2023 and alleged breach of engine maintenance agreement
Flexjet Embraer Praetor 600 business jet
FBOs

OpsGroup Special Events Tracker Outlines Upcoming Fees

Travelers to airports near major events can’t avoid the high costs involved
Moffett Field Airport
Maintenance and Modifications

AAR and Collins Extend Deicing Distribution Agreement

MRO provider serves general aviation, commercial aviation, and defense customers
Goodrich de-ice boot on airplane wing
Rotorcraft

Linfox Places First Airbus H160 Order in Australia

Company plans to use the new helicopter for passenger transportation
Airbus H160 helicopter
Maintenance and Modifications

ExecuJet Malaysia Adds Falcon 7X to Mx Capabilities

EASA and FAA approval also adds non-destructive testing capabilities
ExecuJet MRO Services Malaysia
Rotorcraft

Thales/StandardAero StableLight Autopilot Targets AStar

First 4-axis system designed for light helicopters
Rotorcraft

ASG Helicopter Flying First AW189 in Central Asia

Azerbaijan-based operator using the aircraft for offshore services
Leonardo AW189 helicopter
Maintenance and Modifications

Twenty-five West Star Graduates Qualify for A&P Tests

In-house academy is helping relieve the shortage of aircraft maintenance technicians
West Star Aviation Academy
Aircraft

N11000 Marks Delivery of the 11,000th Cirrus SR Series

First generation, all-composite aircraft entered service in 1999
Cirrus SR22T
Safety

Garmin Autoland Logs First In-service Activation

Pressurization problem led to engagement of emergency descent mode
Buffalo River Aviation King Air B200 N479BR
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Bombardier Equipping Jets with Secure Smart Router

New and select existing jets can qualify for modern cabin communications device
Bombardier Smart Router for business jets
Aircraft

FAA Certifies Bombardier’s Ultra-long-range Global 8000

Approval clears the way for deliveries to U.S. customers
Bombardier Global 8000 business jet
Regulations and Government

AOPA Asks U.S. Government To Help Recover Seized Airplane

Engine failure over the tribe's land resulted in an emergency landing on a public highway
Maintenance and Modifications

Honda Adds Upgrades to Latest HondaJet Configuration

Modification package available for classic and APMG owners
HondaJet
Regulations and Government

ROTOR Act Passes Senate, Would Close ADS-B Loopholes

Legislation would tighten exemptions for military aircraft to operate without ADS-B in the D.C. region
ForeFlight Sentry Mini ADS-B In receiver
Charter & Fractional

Elevate Lifts Credit Card Fees on Jet Card Purchases

New app will be released in early 2026 for management of Azurite features
Elevate Jet Challenger business jet
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

AlarisPro Users Can Access Performance Vector Benefits

SafetyPoints can be applied towards annual software platform costs
Avionics

ForeFlight Cuts CFI Discount, Adds Referral Program

Up to 100% off is available to instructors when their students sign up
ForeFlight electronic flight bag
Rotorcraft

Quanta Services Acquires Billings Flying Service

Montana-based company operates Chinooks for aerial firefighting, utility, and construction work
Billings Flying Service CH-47 Chinook
Safety

Critics Say NDAA Could Undermine D.C. Airspace Safety

Legislation would allow waivers for transponder use, and it doesn’t require ADS-B
Reagan National Airport helicopter zone and route modifications
Cabin Interior and Electronics

NetJets Installing Starlink on Midsize/Large Bizjet Fleet

Systems will be installed by the end of 2026
NetJets installing Starlink
Rotorcraft

Robinson, Lake Fusion Team on Obstacle Detection System

Lidar-based system can improve safety in visibility-challenged environments
Robinson R66 helicopter
Charter & Fractional

Baker Aviation Buys 20 Challenger 300s from Flexjet

Wholesale charter provider is adding the super-midsize jets to its fleet of Citation Xs
Challenger 300 business jet
Rotorcraft

Robinson, Safran Team on R88 Engine Support

Program covers 5 years, 2,000 hours, and AOG and troubleshooting assistance
Cédric Goubet, Safran Helicopter Engines CEO, and David Smith, president and CEO Robinson Helicopter
Maintenance and Modifications

Ontic Opens MRO Center of Excellence in Florida

Consolidates company’s maintenance, repair, and overhaul activities in the U.S.
Ontic opening
Maintenance and Modifications

AINsight: Reducing the Mx Burden Could Help Aviation

The more work required on an aircraft, the more mechanics are needed
Dassault Falcon technicians
Aircraft

Wings Leasing Offers New Diamonds to Flight Schools

Program helps training companies add the latest technology to their fleets
Diamond DA42-VI airplane
Operations

ForeFlight Debuts Logbook for European Pilots

New feature is available as a Europe region option
ForeFlight Europe logbook
Aircraft

Cirrus Next Lets Owners Trade in and Upgrade

Program simplifies move to a new airplane and ensures continuous flying during the process
Cirrus Vision Jet and SR