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

Avionics

Black Hawk Lima To Fly with Genesys Avionics

Modernized Black Hawk UH-60Ls increase mission effectiveness
Genesys Avionics in Black Hawk Lima
Rotorcraft

Demos Available in Leonardo VxR Simulator

With a small footprint, Leonardo's VR simulator takes up very little space
Leonardo VXR simulator
Avionics

Horizon Adds Helicopter Approvals for IFD Navigators

The AML-STC covers nine helicopter models
Avidyne IFD navigator
Avionics

StandardAero, Thales Pick Flex for Autopilot Mode Annunciator

The Flex instrument fits into a standard 2.25-inch panel cutout
Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics Flex display for StableLight mode annunciator
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

Global Jet Capital Sees Positive Signs for Business Aviation

The finance and leasing group predicts a return to normal for the business aviation market
Bombardier Global G6500
Rotorcraft

Eola Buys Stake in Helo Management Provider Starspeed

The move expands Eola's services in the UK
Starspeed helicopters
Avionics

GFC 600H Autopilot Now Available in IFR Configuration

The Leonardo A109 Trekker is the first helicopter approved for the IFR autopilot
Leonardo A109 Trekker helicopter
Cabin Interior and Electronics

SpaceX Signs Pro Star as Authorized Starlink Install Center

A series of business airplane models are in line for Starlink STCs
SpaceX Starlink installed on business jet
Engines

Emergency AD Cites New P&WC PT6 Power Turbine Blades

The AD requires removal of affected blades before further flight
Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6E turbine engine
Avionics

Avionics Manufacturers Explore New Interface and Safety Technologies

Avionics developments could also lead to simplified vehicle operations
Collins Aerospace pilot support system
Charter & Fractional

Blade Air Mobility Adds Security Clearance at Nice

Passengers no longer need to clear through general security
Blade Air Mobility Europe Helicopter
Charter & Fractional

NJASAP, NetJets Reach Agreement in Principle

The agreement will be followed by an amended collective bargaining agreement
NetJets pilots
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Satcom Direct Expands in Europe, Adds Jet ConneX

The provider's Plane Simple system is now available for Ka-band satcom
Satcom Direct Plane Simple Ka-band tail mount satellite antenna
Avionics

Avidyne IFD Flight Management Systems Now NVG-compatible

The optional NVG feature is available for $3,600
Avidyne IFD545 flight management system
Rotorcraft

FAA Certifies Symmetrical Stabilizer for Robinson R44

The new empennage was first certified on the R66 last September
Robinson R44 helicopter
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Nextant Receives STC To Install Starlink in Globals

The satcom system runs on the Starlink low-earth-orbit network
Starlink electronically steered antenna
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Davinci Jets Installs SmartSky in Citation Latitude

The aircraft management company is installing SmartSky systems in most of its aircraft
Accidents

Hop-A-Jet Challenger 604 Crashes on I-75 in Southwest Florida

Business jet was on a flight from Columbus, Ohio
N823KD Hop-A-Jet Challenger 604
Avionics

Honeywell Releases KHND Visual Approach in Time for Big Game

No letter of authorization is required to use these procedures
Henderson Executive Airport guided visual approach
Accidents

Former Chile President Dies in Helicopter Accident

Shortly after takeoff, the helicopter crashed into the Ranco Lake in Chile
Robinson R44 helicopter
Rotorcraft

Loft Dynamics Opens Santa Monica VR Sim Center

The full-motion VR simulator costs one-twentieth the price of a full-flight simulator
Loft simulator
Training and Workforce

Wichita Aero Club Honors Journalists, Senator Moran

The gala event raised $50,000 for educational endeavors and Aero Club initiatives
Ashley Bowen Cook and Sen. Jerry Moran
Aircraft

Piper Unveils M700 Fury M-class Turboprop Single

FAA certification is expected by the end of March
Piper M700 Fury single-engine airplane
Avionics

ForeFlight Voyager Puts Vision Pro Users in VR Airports

Aviation applications are coming online for Apple's new VR headset
Apple Vision Pro Zamperini Field depiction in ForeFlight Voyager app
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Court Denies SmartSky Motion against Gogo 5G

SmartSky intends to pursue its patent infringement claims
Gogo Challenger 300
Rotorcraft

Hands On: Flying a Modern Classic, MD Helicopters’ MD530F

The 369-series helicopters have been in production for more than 60 years
MD530F
Rotorcraft

Rotor Debuts Autonomous Helicopter in New Hampshire

The flight demonstrated autonomous helicopter operation in front of a live audience
Rotor Technologies R220Y autonomous helicopter flight
Aircraft

Honda Aircraft Celebrates Delivery of 250th HondaJet

The HondaJet was FAA certified and first delivery took place in 2015
Honda Aircraft 250th HondaJet delivery celebration
Training and Workforce

Canada Grants First Training Org Approval to Coulson

The free training enables students to earn Canadian aircraft maintenance engineer-structures certification
Coulson Aviation technician training
Accidents

NTSB Wants Spin-recovery Procedure Added to Twin Commander POH

Some models of the 690 series include spin-recovery instructions
Twin Commander