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
Maintenance and Modifications
Duncan Aviation Layoffs First in Company History
After trying to cut costs by reducing wages and work hours, Duncan Aviation has “had to implement a reduction in its nationwide work force.” It is the firs
Aircraft
UT Finance Asks To Repossess DayJet Eclipses
UT Finance has asked the bankruptcy court overseeing the liquidation of the assets of Eclipse Aviation to allow it to take possession of the 28 Eclipse 500
Aircraft
Multiple Groups Vying To Buy Eclipse Assets
Yesterday a judge verbally approved the motion to convert Eclipse Aviation’s bankruptcy from Chapter 11 to Chapter 7, which means the company’s assets will
Maintenance and Modifications
MX Jet Service Receives Honeywell Line Designation
Last month Honeywell designated MX Jet Service an authorized line service provider for TFE731-series turbofans and 36-100 and -150 APUs.
Maintenance and Modifications
FAA Clarifies Meaning of ‘Current’ for Mx Programs
FAR 91.409(f)(3) requires aircraft owners and operators to maintain their aircraft in accordance with a “current inspection program recommended by the manu
Aircraft
FAA Not Planning To Ground Eclipse Fleet
Addressing the question of what happens when a manufacturer goes bankrupt, the FAA has issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (CE-09-14) that
Aircraft
Simulated Gulfstream G650 Makes First Flight
Gulfstream Aerospace yesterday said it reached a milestone in development work on the large-cabin G650 and announced that it achieved first flight of a sim
Security
LASP Nets Record Number of Comments to TSA
In what is a record number of comments on a TSA rulemaking, aviation industry proponents flooded the Transportation Security Administration docket for the
Charter & Fractional
Aviation firm launches alternative to Part 91
As happens in every significant downturn, corporate squeamishness about owning business jets climbs while used aircraft languish on brokers’ ramps.
Business aviation loses a corporate aircraft pioneer
Durrell Unger “Dee” Howard, a determined and talented pioneer in the post- World War II development of business aviation, died on February 11 at age 88 in
FBOs
Lakefront Terminal set for restoration
On February 11, Lakefront Airport officials celebrated the 75th anniversary of the New Orleans airport and launched the restoration of the famed art
Regulations and Government
EPA extends SPPC RULE
According to the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), the Environmental Protection Agency has delayed the effective date of the final rule amend
Airports
Ellington now an airport
The Houston City Council voted in January to change the name of Houston’s oldest airport from Ellington Field to Ellington Airport in an effort to “broaden
FBOs
Six more for Phillips 66
Phillips 66 Aviation added six new FBOs to its branded dealer network, bringing the total to more than 622 in the U.S.
FBOs
Globalair homepage revamped
Aviation information Web site Globalair.com accomplished a major upgrade, making all of its useful tools and information sources easier to locate.
FBOs
Augusta Airport ready for master golfers
Travelers flying to Bush Field in Augusta, Ga., for the Masters Golf Tournament April 6 to 12 at the Augusta National Golf Club will be able to secure Avfu
FBOs
FBO planned for Isle of Man
Ronaldsway Airport on the Isle of Man expects to award by the end of this month a contract to build and operate a new FBO to cater to the growing number of
FBOs
TAC Air adds 13th FBO
In mid-January, FBO chain Tac Air added its 13th FBO with the purchase of a facility at Spirit of St.
FBOs
Jet-A and avgas now available at Cleveland Jet Center
FBO Cleveland Jet Center at Ohio’s Cuyahoga County Airport has added jet-A and avgas supplied by Avfuel to its list of services.
FBOs
Million Air Tucson grand opening
On January 12, the new Million Air Tucson FBO held its grand opening, marking the FBO franchise’s first presence in Arizona.
Airports
Obama TFR to choke Chicago airports
The FAA has released details of how general aviation traffic will be severely constrained when President Obama stays at his Chicago home.
Aircraft
In the Works: Embraer Phemon 100
Embraer officially became the third manufacturer to achieve entry-into-service of a very light jet, having delivered two Phenom 100s by the end of last
Aircraft
In the Works: Spectrum Aeronautical
Work is progressing on Spectrum Aeronautical’s all-composite S.40 Freedom midsize jet, but the first-flight dates have been pushed back, from a previously
Aircraft
In the Works: Antilles Seaplanes
Decades after the last Grumman Goose rolled off the famed manufacturer’s assembly line, the G-21 Goose is nearly ready to come back to life.
Charter & Fractional
Sun Rises on New Version of Sunset Aviation
The owners of Sunset Aviation, the charter/management company sold to JetDirect Aviation in May 2007, have formed a new company called Sunset Aviation LLC.
Aircraft
Bombardier: Learjet 85 Design Mature, Plans on Track
Bombardier shared an update on the Learjet 85 program with customers today, revealing that the program remains on schedule for service entry in 2013 and th
Rotorcraft
HAI: ‘Heli-Expo’09 a Resounding Success’
Despite all the gloom about the recession, this year’s Heli-Expo in Anaheim, Calif., easily exceeded all expectations when it ended on Tuesday, with record
Aircraft
Linear Air Forms Eclipse 500 Support Co-op
With VLJ manufacturer Eclipse Aviation facing Chapter 7 liquidation proceedings, an organization is needed to provide support to owners of the 259 Eclipse
