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

Rotorcraft

NEMSPA Invites Future EMS Pilots To Launch Careers

Event encourages networking and learning from industry experts
Rotorcraft

LAPD Air Unit Moves to Virtual Training

Loft Dynamics device makes emergency training much more realistic
Rotorcraft

Robinson Unveils the R88, Its Largest-ever Helicopter

Clean-sheet design offers twin-engine performance in a single-engine aircraft
Robinson R88 reveal
Rotorcraft

Boost Systems Introduces Nextgen Aerial Wash System

Integrates Isolair tank to improve wash and deicing efficiency
Boost Aerial Wash System for helicopters
Avionics

PS Engineering Debuts HEMS, Police Audio Control Heads

Units work with HUB50 audio management system
PS Engineering configurable audio management system control heads
Rotorcraft

Airwolf Li-ion Battery STC Approved for AStars in Brazil

True Blue Power TB20 now available for the venerable Airbus helicopters
True Blue Power TB20 battery installed in an Airbus AStar helicopter
Rotorcraft

Hartzell Tanis Preheat System Approved on Airbus H135

System extends life of critical components during cold-weather operations
Tanis helicopter preheat system
Rotorcraft

Veris VR Simulator Is a TRU Attraction at Verticon 2025

Virtual reality simulator is designed to meet FAA and EASA qualification standards
TRU Veris VR trainer
Training and Workforce

AINsight: BAAFEx Puts Bizav Back on the Asia Map

Inaugural show in Singapore exceeded exhibitor and attendee expectations
BAAFEx lion dance opening ceremony
Aircraft

Dassault Falcon 8X Shines on BAAFEx Static Display

French manufacturer aims to be closer to customers in Asia
Dassault Falcon 8X at BAAFEx show
Charter & Fractional

China’s Sino Jet Sees Shift to Higher Charter Demand

Young new entrants prefer not to own aircraft but are comfortable traveling in business jets
Sino Jet BAAFEx 2025
Charter & Fractional

TAG Aviation’s Asia Operations Reach a Turning Point

Business is finally picking up with a significant influx of new business jets
TAG Aviation at BAAFEx
Charter & Fractional

VistaJet Global 7500 Stars on BAAFEx Show Static Display

Ultra-long-range jet is among the charter operator's most popular jets
VistaJet Bombardier Global 7500
Maintenance and Modifications

ExecuJet Haite Extends MRO Client Outreach at BAAFEx Show

Company's new MRO facility at Beijing Daxing Airport is already filling up
Paul Desgrosseilliers, ExecuJet Haite general manager, China
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

BAAFEx Show Rides Asia’s Rising Business Aviation Tide

Business Aviation Asia Forum & Expo is taking over the mantle from where ABACE left off
BAAFEx stage opening
Rotorcraft

Robinson Helicopters Support Firefighting Efforts

Light rotorcraft are helpful for moving officials around
Robinson Helicopter LA fires
Rotorcraft

New Rotorcraft: More of the Same with Some Surprises in Store

Manufacturers are looking at all sorts of technologies while serving existing markets
Airbus Racer
Safety

SWA 737 Goes Around after Midway Runway Incursion 

Incident took place after a Flexjet Challenger crossed the active runway while the airliner was landing
Southwest Airlines 737 going around due to runway incursion
Avionics

Atlantic Jet STCs AeroNav Upgrade for Citation Cockpits

SkyVue 1000 package adds new displays, FMS, and audio panel
SkyVue 1000 avionics upgrade
Maintenance and Modifications

Metro Aviation Picks Bluetail Mx Records System

Digitizing logbooks preserves critical aircraft information
Metro adopts Bluetail aircraft maintenance recordkeeping
Operations

Vellox Launch Consolidates Aviation Software Entities

Spidertracks, Air Maestro, Flight Vector, and Complete Flight are part of the new company
Helicopter
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Falcons will Fly with Honeywell JetWave X Satcom

Uncapped service is available and speeds will be up to 200 Mbps
Honeywell JetWave X satellite communications
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Yingling Aviation Adds Challenger 600 to Starlink Menu

Company’s first installation was on a Bombardier Global XRS
Starlink antenna on Bombardier Global XRS business jet
Safety

Aerox Expands O2 Services with Omnigas Acquisition

Deal adds MRO capabilities for oxygen and fire-suppression systems
Aerox oxygen systems
Maintenance and Modifications

TrustFlight Signs Heartland Aviation for MEL Manager

Software helps aircraft operators manage the minimum equipment list process
Heartland Aviation Bombardier Challenger 350
Avionics

Garmin Adds Engine Indicating for TPE331-10 Turbines

Upgrade changes round dials to larger arc-type gauges
Garmin Engine Indicating System
Aircraft

Extra 400/500 Certificate Holder Files for Insolvency

German company provided support for the few that had been manufactured
Extra EA-400 airplane
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

Honeywell Outlines Plan To Separate Aerospace, Automation

Company will become three publicly listed entities in the second half of 2026
Vimal Kapur Honeywell chairman and CEO
Avionics

Universal FMS GPS Rollover Date Coming Due May 31

Failure to upgrade could cause service interruptions
Universal Avionics flight management system for aircraft
Avionics

Fargo Jet Completes PC-12 Avionics Modernization

New Garmin avionics and a Finoff Aviation engine upgrade modernize the Swiss turboprop
Fargo Jet Pilatus PC-12 avionics and engine upgrade