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

Aircraft

Tecnam Teases Details of Next Aircraft Program

Few details are available but the airplane will be powered by a Continental diesel engine
Tecnam Rivale
Aircraft

Daher Breaks Ground on TBM/Kodiak Final-assembly Line

New facility is co-located with company's aerostructures manufacturing plant in Stuart
Daher at Oshkosh
Engines

FAA’s Rocheleau Admits Unleaded Avgas Timeline May Slip

Deadline of Dec. 31, 2030 may have to be moved if a suitable fuel isn't available
FAA deputy administrator Chris Rocheleau
Regulations and Government

Darrin Smedsmo’s Freed Stinson on Display at Oshkosh

Airplane was detained after he made an emergency landing on tribal land
Darrin Smedsmo and his Stinson 108 airplane
Avionics

FAA Deploying Mobile Clearance for Genav/Bizav Pilots

U.S. nationwide service will begin in 2027
EAA chairman and CEO Jack Pelton and FAA deputy administrator Chris Rocheleau
Avionics

Aspen Avionics Manufacturing Moves to Phoenix

Company plans innovative avionics developments for aircraft and drones
AIRO Group Phoenix
Aircraft

Elixir Expanding Features, Developing Turbine Airplane

Fleet is expanding as new funding round supports growth
Elixir Aircraft
Maintenance and Modifications

True Blue Power Energizes SIAI-Marchetti S.211

Weighs 45 pounds less than lead-acid battery and provides faster and cooler engine start
Matthew Harrah and S.211 jet
Engines

Lycoming Boosts Time Between Overhaul to 2,600 Hours

New intervals based on endurance testing and fleet data
Lycoming Engines
Aircraft

EASA Delivers Type Certificate for Epic E1000 AX

European buyers can start taking delivery in 2027
Epic Aircraft E1000 AX airplane
Aircraft

Pipistrel Voyager To Train Next Generation of Pilots

Trainer will meet MOSAIC certification regulations
Pipistrel Voyager training airplane
Avionics

Dynon SkyView Displays Incorporate Remote Audio Panel

New features can be controlled by touchscreen
Dynon SV-AUDIO-6BTR intercom and audio panel
Engines

MagniX Opens Order Book for MagniAIR Electric Engine

Buyers can place a deposit for delivery in 2027
MagniAIR electric engine
Avionics

Landing Gear Awareness Displays on iFly EFB App

Sensors send information to tablet, adding another layer of awareness
iFly EFB's landing gear position-indicating system
Maintenance and Modifications

Hartzell Adds Frontier and Navigator Top Prop STCs

New propellers available on Cessna 180 Skywagons and Beechcraft A36s
Hartzell Frontier propeller on Cessna 180 airplane
Training and Workforce

Redbird Updates G1000 Sim Software and Instrument Panel

Goal is to emulate flight school training airplane avionics for more accurate simulation
Redbird Flight airplane flight simulator
Maintenance and Modifications

Blackhawk Group Launches New Propeller Solutions Group

Consolidates activities under Chip Kiehn, new v-p of propeller programs
The Blackhawk Group Piper Meridian deice boot
Avionics

Sporty’s Offers CO Detector/Charger, PJ2 GPS Handheld

Products on display at company’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh exhibit
Sporty's PJ2 GPS handheld aviation radio
Avionics

Avidyne Vantage has New Autopilot, Garmin Integrations

Offers owners and buyers more options for navigators, DFC90 autopilot replacement
Avidyne Vantage
Avionics

Dynon Adding Remote IFR GPS to SkyView HDX Displays

Eliminates need for a separate GPS navigator and clears up valuable panel space
Dynon SkyView HDX with remote GPS navigator
Operations

Avtopia Forum Helps Bizav Make the Aviation Connection

Founders of aviation community hoping to break down silos
Avtopia business aviation forum
Avionics

Iridium Begins GNSS Anti-jamming/spoofing Chip Sales

Avionics manufacturers can integrate chip to prevent GNSS compromising
Avionics

Two OEMs Select Garmin Axis Avionics Suites

Cirrus and CubCrafters are the first to announce adoption of the new products
CubCrafters Garmin Axis avionics
Avionics

SkyPlay Mini Puts ForeFlight on the Instrument Panel

Hardware display features physical controls
Jeppesen ForeFlight uAvionix SkyPlay Mini
Safety

FAA SAFO Recommends Operators Save CVR Recordings

Concern is that valuable safety data is not being saved after an incident
Alaska Airlines hole in 737 Max 9
Safety

Hughes App Highlights Slacklines in Route Planning

Free service helps pilots evaluate risk before flight
Hughes Aerospace app highlights slacklines
Aircraft

CubCrafters Adds Turbine Power to Carbon Cub

Jet fuel is easily available worldwide for the turboprop light airplane
CubCrafters Carbon Cub turbine-powered light airplane
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Pro Star Delivers G280 Gogo Galileo Satcom Installation

Expands company’s offerings for high-speed, global connectivity
Gogo Galileo installation on Gulfstream G280 business jet
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