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
Charter & Fractional
JetSuiteX Delays Santa Monica Service Plan
The charter operator's scheduled service between Santa Monica, San Jose and Carlsbad, Calif., has been delayed.
Airports
FAA Caves In to City Demand To Close Santa Monica Airport
Under an agreement between the FAA and the city of Santa Monica, the city's airport will be closed permanently at the end of 2028.
Avionics
Archangel Dual-use Avionics Help Military Fly Longer
The useful lifetime of the CH-47 Chinook military helicopter could be extended with installation of dual-use Archangel sensors.
Charter & Fractional
NATA Charter Town Hall Helps Operators ID and Solve Problems
The National Air Transportation Association is holding a series of Air Charter Town Hall meetings throughout the U.S. this year.
AIN Blog: Is Flight-sharing Dead? (It’s all Uber’s Fault, Part 2)
The Supreme Court elected not to hear a case involving a flight-sharing company's attempt to offer services to the general public.
Safety
Disaster Airlift, Red Cross Partner on SMO Exercise
The disaster-preparedness event highlighted Santa Monica Airport's status as critical infrastructure in southern California.
Maintenance and Modifications
Maximum View Bubble Windows Improve AS350 Hover View
The Swiss Rotor Solutions modification for the Airbus AS350/H125 helicopter improves pilot field of view when looking down by 10 times.
Avionics
Astronics Advances EmPower Product Line
The EmPower system will be used on the Cessna Denali.
Airports
California Congressman: FAA a ‘Shill for Corporations’
Congressman Ted Lieu is siding with the city of Santa Monica in its efforts to close Santa Monica Airport.
Aircraft
Pilot Report: Falcon 8X
Dassault’s flagship is a long-range and comfortable traveling machine.
Safety
TKS Technology Offers Method To Meet New Icing Regulations
The Cav Ice Protection SLD Guard technology can be retrofitted to any type of existing ice-protection system.
Avionics
Cockpit Avionics Part I: The U.S. ADS-B Mandate
Pardon our persistence, but TIME IS RUNNING OUT.
Airports
Airports Council International-NA Files Brief in SMO Grant Issue
The amicus brief raises the question of whether the FAA is allowed to retroactively change the rules regarding grant agreements.
Avionics
Lighter Socket Port Adds USB Power to Aircraft
The Guardian Avionics cigarette lighter power port can be installed by an A&P mechanic as a minor alteration.
Safety
AIN Blog: It’s All Uber’s Fault
Will flight-sharing ever take off in the U.S., or will the Supreme Court quash such efforts?
Avionics
Garmin Unveils G1000 NXi Upgrade
The new G1000 NXi (next-generation) adds faster processors and unique features such as visual approaches and map overlays on the HSI.
Safety
Cessna Adds Safe Flight AOA to New Skyhawks
The Safe Flight angle-of-attack system is standard on all new Skyhawks and optional on the 182 and 206 models.
Airports
FAA Orders City of Santa Monica To Halt FBO Evictions
This order is intended to maintain the status quo at SMO until the FAA completes its investigation.
Charter & Fractional
JetSuiteX To Start Air Service at Santa Monica Airport
Flights will connect Santa Monica with Carlsbad and San Jose, California, starting February 6, and Las Vegas beginning on February 10.
Avionics
EFVS Final Rule Allows ‘No Natural Vision’ Landings
Under the new FAA rule pilots can continue the approach to landing using only the images displayed by the EVS on the HUD.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Fruity Chutes Can Prevent Drone Destruction
Expensive drones can be rescued from harm by parachute recovery systems.
Regulations and Government
IBAC Panel Addresses Worldwide Business Aviation Issues
Lack of regulatory structure that supports business aviation is a key issue in many countries.
Avionics
FalconEye Popular With 8X Buyers
Dassault’s FalconEye, a combined vision system that improves pilot situational awareness, has been selected by 4 out of 5 Falcon 8X customers.
Maintenance and Modifications
Ruag Presents Innovative “Enterprise” Interior
Ruag Aviation’s “Enterprise” interior design is completely unlike the typical sandy or biscuit colors found in many standard interiors.
Charter & Fractional
Second Embraer Legacy 500 Joining Cedar Executive Fleet
Cedar Executive’s second Embraer Legacy 500 is due for delivery in mid-2017.
Maintenance and Modifications
JSSI Targets Middle East Opportunities
JSSI spends more than $30 million per year on maintenance on behalf of its customers.
Maintenance and Modifications
MKTE Brings One-stop Shop to Middle East Operators
The Jordan-based service provider is a first-time exhibitor at the MEBAA show.
Charter & Fractional
Jet Scout Opens Public Charter Platform
The Jet Scout service is targeted at charter customers as well as charter providers and brokers.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Honeywell GoDirect Simplifies Business Aircraft Satcom Services
GoDirect software is designed to give operators improved access for managing their satcom systems.
Aircraft
HondaJet Pilot Wings East to Dubai
Mike Finbow flew the HondaJet from the UK to Dubai for its MEBAA show debut.
