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
Satcom Direct Strengthens Global Infrastructure
The company has expanded its terrestrial network with enhanced individual Points of Presence and network upgrades.
Avionics
Hands On: Garmin inReach Mini Iridium Satcom
For low-cost airborne connectivity, a portable Iridium satcom like this one offers a useful alternative.
Nominations Open for 2021 Top Flight Awards
AIN is now accepting nominations for the 2021 Top Flight Awards.
Aircraft
Cessna Citation Longitude: Pilot Report
The Cessna Citation Longitude is an excellent performer in the super-midsize business jet market.
Avionics
ForeFlight Labs Releases Taxi Routing Editor
ForeFlights's new Taxi Routing editor helps pilots plot routes on the airport surface.
Safety
CloudAhoy Puts Flight Path Vector into Debrief Tool
The addition of the flight path vector to CloudAhoy's postflight analysis tool helps pilots improve their performance.
Avionics
Garmin Adds GWX 8000 StormOptix to Weather Radar Palette
The company has announced the GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar, available in four sizes for Part 23 and 25 business jets.
Rotorcraft
Universal Avionics Gaining in Helicopter Marketplace
Universal Avionics sees plenty of opportunity for its ClearVision EFVS and SkyVis wearable HUD in the rotorcraft market.
Avionics
Garmin Adds Power, Type-C to USB Ports
The manufacturer's new charger offers more power and flexibility with Type-C and Type-A USB ports.
ATC
FlightAware Fuses ADS-B View with SkyAware
FlightAware's new SkyAware service allows ADS-B receiver hosts to combine all their traffic into one fused view.
Aircraft
HondaJet Prototype Debuts in Japan Aviation Museum
Honda Aircraft's proof-of-concept prototype has found a new home at the Misawa Aviation & Science Museum.
Avionics
CCX Tech Cybersecurity Device STC’d on Gulfstream V
CCX's AP-250 cybersecurity router can also serve as an in-line cybersecurity device to protect airborne connectivity data.
Hera Aviation Tackles Flying, Family Caregiver Issues
Hera Aviation is a non-profit organization that helps companies learn how to provide more equitable careers for working caregivers.
Rotorcraft
GI 275 Simplifies Avionics Upgrades in Part 27 Helos
Garmin's new GI 275 electronic flight instruments feature touchscreen and dual concentric knob control.
Rotorcraft
Honeywell Adds Major Upgrades to Helicopter Avionics
Honeywell's latest avionics upgrades to synthetic vision, radar, and EGPWS are available for Leonardo's AW139.
Avionics
Collins STCs Pro Line Fusion for Citation CJ2+
With the CJ2+ Collins Pro Line Fusion upgrade approved, next up is the CJ1+.
Rotorcraft
Hillsboro Aero Academy Keeps the Rotors Turning
Although flight hours dropped significantly during the Covid pandemic, Hillsboro Aero Academy has been able to keep its fleet busy.
Avionics
Garmin Adds FANS to G5000 Excel/XLS Upgrade
Garmin has added FANS 1/A+ and ACARS capabilities to its G5000 upgrade for the Citation Excel and XLS.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Global Jet Capital Closes Fifth Securitization
Global Jet Capital has closed its fifth asset-backed securitization worth $663 million.
Avionics
Land-DAR Eases Arrivals with Altitude Callouts
A new lidar-based altitude callout system is designed to help pilots know how high their aircraft is from the ground during landing.
Aircraft
First Flight for Dassault Falcon 6X
Dassault Aviation test pilots Bruno Ferry and Fabrice Valette took off for the first flight in Falcon 6X serial number 1.
Safety
Medical Emergency Digital ID Simplifies Vaccine Records
ID-ME's new Covid-19 vaccine passport resides on a simple, secure smartphone digital wallet.
Security
U.S. Government Indicts Aircraft Title, Trust Company Owner
The U.S. government accuses the owner and others involved with a well-known title company of drug charges, money laundering, and more.
Avionics
ForeFlight Adds Turbine Aircraft Runway Analysis
ForeFlight's new runway analysis service adds new capabilities to the app's flight planning capabilities.
Avionics
Survey shows flight planning app preferences
AIN surveyed readers to learn more about how pilots are using flight planning tablet apps and which ones they prefer.
Safety
Covid-19 Best Practices Help Bizav Keep Flying
Flight department managers and medical experts shared useful information for operating safely during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Avionics
Flex Flips Certification Burden for Custom Instrumentation
The new Flex series from Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics can help give new life to aircraft with obsolete instruments.
Flight Test: Garmin D2 Air Smartwatch
Garmin's D2 Air smartwatch packs a lot of features into a more reasonably priced device with an Amoled touchscreen.
Aircraft
Garmin's G3000 Flight Deck Selected for Joby's eVTOL Aircraft
The news is the first system supplier announcement from Joby Aviation, which appears to be a frontrunner in the race to get an eVTOL aircraft to market.
FutureFlight
Joby Chooses Garmin G3000 Avionics Suite for eVTOL Aircraft Flight Deck
Pilots who fly Joby's new eVTOL aircraft will manage the flight via Garmin's G3000 integrated flight deck avionics suite.
