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
Becker Avionics Enables Pairing of Digital Intercoms
Pairing the DVCS6100 and AMU6500 allows passengers to make satellite voice calls on a two-way line.
Avionics
PHI MRO To Retrofit and Support Avidyne Helix
With the Helix upgrade, legacy helicopter operators will be able to bring avionics up to modern standards and capabilities.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
THC Selects Skytrac Satcom for Helo Fleet
The Helicopter Company's large fleet of Airbus and Leonardo helicopters will be equipped with Skytrac's satellite communications system.
Training and Workforce
Loft Dynamics Demos 360-degree VR Simulator
The Loft Dynamics VR 360-degree flight simulator gives pilots a full-immersion flying experience.
Avionics
PS Engineering Enables On-wing Audio Configuration
The new HUB50 from PS Engineering brings many new features to audio management and system configuration.
Avionics
Genesys Four-axis Autopilot Installed in Black Hawk
The new Genesys four-axis IFR helicopter autopilot is designed to be on full-time and provides stability augmentation in all regimes.
Rotorcraft
FAA Qualifies Coptersafety Level D Simulators
Finland-based Coptersafety offers pilot training in the Airbus Helicopters H145 and Leonardo AW139 and AW169.
Avionics
Australia's CASA Approves ForeFlight Electronic Flight Bag
Australian civil and military pilots can now use ForeFlight's Mobile app, Dispatch web service, and Runway Analysis.
Safety
AD Restricts Autopilot, Autothrottle Ops in Global Jets
5G cellphone C-band interference could cause problems with autopilot and autothrottle use in Bombardier Global jets.
Training and Workforce
Flexjet, Embry-Riddle Open Innovation and Career Center
While many aviation university students aim for careers with airlines, Flexjet's partnership with Embry-Riddle educates students about business aviation.
Avionics
FAA Grants TSO to Universal Avionics Aperture
Universal Avionics' Aperture visual data solution will help pilots "see" obstacles and traffic and receive taxi guidance via avionics displays.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Wi-Fi in the Sky: Better, Faster, Getting Cheaper
A plethora of products are available to provide airborne connectivity, and more are coming soon.
Avionics
Geared Up: Flying with ForeFlight's Sentry Plus ADS-B Receiver
ForeFlight's latest Sentry ADS-B receiver adds a flight data recorder, larger battery, and a g-meter, among other features.
Charter & Fractional
FlyExclusive Adds Paint Hangar at North Carolina HQ
FlyExclusive's maintenance facilities enable it to perform more than 80 percent of the work on its 90+ business jet fleet.
Safety
CJP-FOQA Now Available for Citation Jet Pilots Members
Adoption of flight operations quality assurance post flight analysis by single-pilot jet operators can help drive safety improvements.
Aircraft
Brazil's ANAC Approves Cirrus Vision Jet Autoland
Garmin's autoland system for the Cirrus Vision Jet can automatically land the airplane if the pilot becomes incapacitated.
Avionics
AeroBrigham Buys MyGoFlight Head-up Display Division
AeroBrigham plans to expand the approvals for the AeroDisplay head-up display into the Part 27 helicopter market.
Engines
PT6 Reaches 60 Years, Pratts Fly a Billion Hours
The Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turbine engine was introduced in 1963, and the latest versions are four times more powerful.
GAMA Chief Criticizes FAA-Santa Clara MoU
Airports in the U.S. are facing challenges from local communities concerned about potential harm caused by leaded avgas.
Aircraft
Foundation Formed To Restore First-delivered Learjet
The full restoration of Lear Jet 23-003 will shine well-deserved light on the first purpose-built business jet.
Training and Workforce
NBAA IOC Celebrates 50 Years
Crewmembers from flight operations that fly internationally gathered for the NBAA International Operators Conference in Austin, Texas.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Flight Testing Proves Dual-dissimilar Satcom Benefits
Satcom Direct's dual dissimilar Plane Simple satcom installation will be available for aircraft that can accommodate two tail-mounted antennas.
Charter & Fractional
Planet 9 Open House Celebrates Five Years of Growth
Charter-management firm Planet 9 has successfully made the transition into an international charter provider with a fleet of large-cabin jets.
Avionics
FAA Approves New Aspen Display Software Update
Aspen Avionics has released a software update with Garmin GFC 600 autopilot interface capability.
Maintenance and Modifications
StandardAero Completes Western Jet Aviation Acquisition
With the purchase of Gulfstream maintenance specialist Western Jet Aviation, StandardAero now has MRO facilities spanning the U.S.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
SD's Plane Simple Antenna Enters Commercial Service
Satcom Direct's Plane Simple satellite communication system for IntelSat's FlexExec service is now available for a variety of business jets.
Avionics
NASA Reports Show Possible 5G Interference Issues
Airline pilots in the U.S. are submitting a significant number of reports about potential 5G cellphone tower interference.
Avionics
Hands-on: Flying with Lightspeed’s Delta Zulu Headset
Lightspeed aims to usher in a new era of sensor-equipped headsets to make flying safer.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Iridium Releases Certus-based Portable Communicator
The new Iridium Go! exec satellite communications device has been tested in light aircraft and delivers higher-speed connectivity.
Aircraft
Trends in Preowned Bizjet Market Show Pricing Pressure
Altea, like many other preowned business aircraft brokers, is preparing for a "new normal" of lower business jet prices and more availability.
