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

Operations

Wingbits Launches AI-based Flight Data Agent Searches

Company’s network offers participants rewards for capturing ADS-B information
Wingbits flight tracking
Maintenance and Modifications

Eclipse Aero Says It Has about 3 Years of Parts in Stock

Company counters claim that components won’t be available
Article image
Maintenance and Modifications

Alpha Wingman Advisory Board Paves Roadmap for Future

Will help provide input on future products and improvements
Avionics

Garmin SmartCharts Now Available on Pilot Web

Procedures simplify view by decluttering unnecessary information
Garmin SmartCharts
Maintenance and Modifications

Heli-One Opens S-92 Customer Support Center in Brazil

Facility will offer MRO services and parts for South America operators
Heli-One's new Cabo Frio, Brazil center of excellence
Training and Workforce

JCAB Qualifies Loft VR Simulator to FTD Level-7

Virtual reality training platform is first in Japan and Asia-Pacific
Loft Dynamics level-7 virtual reality simulator
Training and Workforce

FlightSimExpo To Feature 70+ Simulation Exhibitors

Set for June 12 to 14 at Minnesota’s Saint Paul RiverCentre
FlightSimExpo
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Apcela, Liberty Partners Team on Bizav Wi-Fi Upgrades

Field-approval installations available for a variety of classic business jets
Apcela Dual ATG connectivity system
Airports

EASA Bulletin Warns About Jet-A Versus Jet A-1 Issue

Could affect airports in Europe, Africa, Australia, India, and Southeast Asia
jet-A fuel tanks on airport
Aircraft

Eclipse 500/550 Supplier RAS Liquidating and Closing

Manufacturer and repair station for critical components plans to destroy all tooling
Resurgent Aviation Solutions Eclipse 500 jet
Cabin Interior and Electronics

EASA Grants Major Change Privilege to Lufthansa Technik

Company can approve own STCs for Airbus A320ceo cabin modifications
Lufthansa Technik’s Design Organisation
Maintenance and Modifications

DAS and AQRD Partner on Phenom 300 Engine Inlet Fix

Repair involves replacement of 700 rivets and a detailed inspection
DAS Aviation Embraer Phenom 300 engine inlet repair
Maintenance and Modifications

FDH Unites Hardware, Electronics Divisions at Bengaluru

New site to be led by Adhavan Kamalanathan and Victor Bharath
FDH Aero
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Pro Star Installing Starlink at Customer Locations

On-The-Fly program saves owners from having to fly airplane to MRO’s facility
Pro Star Aviation
Maintenance and Modifications

Mexico Approves HondaJet APMG S Upgrade Program

Package is available for classic and earlier modified models
HondaJet APMG S upgrade program
Avionics

Garmin Adds Mexico, Bahamas To FliteCharts, SafeTaxi

Charts available for avionics or EFB app
Garmin SafeTaxi chart
Aircraft

Pilot Report: Citation Ascend Is the Ultimate XLS

A logical upgrade brings new avionics and a refreshed cabin to the classic jet
Textron Aviation Citation Ascend
Aircraft

Otto Aerospace Freezes Phantom 3500 Jet Design

Preliminary design review supports goal of super-midsize performance
Otto Aerospace Phantom 3500
Safety

OpsGroup Warns Pilots To Check LPV Approach Notams

Problem stems from design of missed approach segments
Safety

Smoke and Fire Events a Hot Topic at BASS 2026

Training is needed to prepare pilots for these high-risk challenges
Lisa Sasse, David Wroth, Nate Klatt, Jim Zanino
Safety

More Than 100 TBM Owners Participate in Safety Program

TBMOPA-developed TAAP offers significant safety benefits
Daher TBM 960 aircraft
Maintenance and Modifications

Héroux-Devtek Taps Antavia for Landing Gear MRO

Authorization expands services for European Embraer Legacy and Praetor operators
Marc-Olivier Gagnon, Héroux-Devtek VP, Engineering & Product Support, and Laurent Bouissou, DVP, AMETEK MRO ANTAVIA
Safety

FSF Panel Addresses Safety Solutions Based on 2025 Data

Focus on organizational resilience as a means of learning from errors
Paige Kroner, Susie Scott, Adam Duszak, Daniel Marimoto
Cabin Interior and Electronics

FCC Gives Classic Gogo ATG a Six-month Reprieve

Move also delays launch of 4G service until Nov. 8, 2026
Gogo user
Engines

P&WC Opens Morocco Engine Parts Manufacturing Facility

RTX business expects to create 200 new jobs by 2030
Pratt & Whitney Canada's Morocco facility
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Yingling in Final Steps for Hawker Gogo Avance STC

Upgrade will enable a variety of connectivity options for classic jets
Gogo Avance LX5 airborne connectivity system
Safety

BASS 2026 Highlights Business Aviation Safety Culture

71st summit held in partnership with NBAA and NATA
David Belastock, captain at Bechtel
Accidents

Aviation Coalition Aims To Rein in Slackline Hazards

Striking objects at low altitude is one of the greatest risks to helicopter operations
Slackline across Superior Canyon
Rotorcraft

Bell Sells Three 429s to UK, Estonia VIP Operators

VIP interior can accommodate up to seven passengers
Bell 429 helicopter cabin
Aircraft

Drennan Takes Helm as Touw Leaves Otto Aerospace

Company is developing the Phantom 3500 business jet
Scott Drennan, new CEO at Otto Aerospace