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
Stevens Aerospace Celebrates C-12U G1000 Install
Stevens Aerospace has completed its first G1000 NXi avionics installation under a U.S. Army C-12U/B200C King Air contract.
Avionics
Lightspeed Unveils ‘Safety Wearables’ Headset Series
Lightspeed's new Delta Zulu changes the parameters of aviation headset design with new safety and audio features.
Avionics
Avidyne Releases Major FMS Software Update
The latest version of Avidyne's FMS operating system software will come with new units and can be installed in the field by Avidyne dealers.
Avionics
SkyLink 7100 Qualified for Crewed Aircraft
Blue Sky Network has qualified its SkyLink 7100 Iridium satcom to DO-160G, and the antenna has received FAA TSO C159d approval.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Viasat Builds on Brazil Business Jet Connectivity
Satellite network and airborne connectivity company Viasat has strengthened its services to the business jet market in Brazil.
FutureFlight
FAA Accepts Reliable Robotics' Certification Basis For Pilotless Technology
The FAA has accepted Reliable Robotics' certification basis for the advanced navigation and autoflight system, which should receive supplemental type certification next year.
Charter & Fractional
ACI Jet Celebrates Long-awaited Grand Opening
ACI Jet started with a tiny building and has grown into a multi-location FBO, charter/management, and maintenance provider.
Avionics
FreeFlight Shipping Newly TSO’d Radar Altimeters
FreeFlight Systems' 5G-tolerant radar altimeters meet the performance standards for airborne low-range radar altimeters.
Avionics
ANAC Validates Taillight ADS-B Transponder
The Brazilian STC for uAvionix's tailBeaconX ADS-B transponder covers more than 250 single-engine airplane models.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
SmartSky Network Now Available Nationwide in U.S.
SmartSky's air-to-ground connectivity service is now available in most of the continental U.S., and new STCs are underway.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Timbro: Aircraft Imports Soar after Pandemic
With the ability to conduct foreign trade transactions that save on taxes, Timbro’s aircraft imports climbed by 171 percent in the first half of 2022.
Brazil Business Aviation Traffic Growing
Compared to 2019, 2020, and 2021, business aviation activity in Brazil is on a huge upswing.
Avionics
Satcom Direct Keeps Bandeirante Connected
The first-ever Plane Simple Ku-band satcom installation for a turboprop will be in an Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante
Avionics
Elliott Aviation Retrofits Autoland into TBM 940s
Under the HomeSafe retrofit program, Elliott Aviation completed autoland installations into 29 TBM 940s.
Aircraft
Falcon 8X and 2000LXS Fly into LABACE
Dassault is bringing a Falcon 8X and 2000LXS to the LABACE 2022 static display.
Avionics
AML Expanded for AV-30-C EFIS Installations
The latest approval expands the applicability of uAvionix's STC for the AV-30-C electronic flight instrument to many more single- and twin-engine airplanes
Aircraft
Pilot Report: Dassault Falcon 6X
AIN flies the Falcon 6X, the largest jet in the manufacturer's lineup.
Avionics
More Operators Gain Access to RNP AR Approaches
Honeywell is helping business jet operators take advantage of the lower minimums and greater precision offered by RNP AR instrument approaches.
Safety
Simulator Tests Show Value of Q-Alpha Alerting System
Skov Aero's Q-Alpha low-airspeed alerting system can give jet pilots crucial extra seconds to recover before stalling and losing control.
Avionics
FAA, EASA Approve Dual HUD for Dassault Falcon 8X
Falcon 8X operators can now install a second FalconEye head-up display as a retrofit, or buyers can option a dual-HUD installation.
Training and Workforce
Blog: Are View-limiting Devices Necessary for IFR Training?
The FAA talks about view-limiting devices being used during instrument training but doesn't fully explain why they are necessary.
Avionics
Aspen Avionics To Certify GFC 600 Autopilot Interface
Aspen Avionics' flight displays will be able to interface with Garmin GFC 600 autopilots with release of new software later this year.
Aircraft
Piper Adding Rough-field Operations to M600
Piper is celebrating its 85th anniversary and huge demand for its products.
Avionics
Avidyne Moving Ahead with AI Avionics
Avidyne expects certification next year of its first AI-based avionics, the PilotEye visual traffic detection system.
Aircraft
Daher Unveils Larger, Faster Kodiak 900 Turboprop
Daher's new $3.487 million Kodiak 900, which received FAA certification on July 20, is a stretch variant of the company’s Kodiak 100 utility turboprop.
Avionics
Garmin Pilot App Adds Graphical Weight and Balance
Avionics manufacturer Garmin has released the latest version of its Garmin Pilot iOS app, which now includes graphical weight and balance.
JSfirm, EAA Host AirVenture Job Fair
Plenty of job openings are available among the companies exhibiting at EAA AirVenture 2022.
Training and Workforce
Redbird Demos Mixed-reality Flight Simulator
At EAA AirVenture, Redbird Flight is demonstrating a fully immersive desktop-based mixed-reality flight simulator.
SimVenture Flights to Oshkosh Start Today
Flying a virtual arrival to Oshkosh during AirVenture is incredibly realistic and an excellent use of simulator technology.
LogTen Logbook App Adds Multitasking
The LogTen Pilot app is designed for pilots flying all types of aircraft, from general aviation to airliners.
