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
Training and Workforce
PEA Aims East for New Student Pilots
The Daytona Beach, Florida flight academy specializes in training student pilots from all over the world.
Aircraft
First China Guimbal G2 On ABACE Static Display
The Guimbal Cabri G2 on display at ABACE belongs to X-Square Aviation, which plans to open a helicopter flight school.
Charter & Fractional
Sino Jet and Hublot Pursue Strategic Cooperation
Charter provider Sino Jet brought a Hublot-branded Embraer Legacy 650 to the ABACE 2016 static display.
Avionics
Product Review: Stratus 2S
Senior editor Matt Thurber has been flying with the Stratus 2S to get at feel for what it is like to fly with ADS-B in capability.
Aircraft
Oxai Unveils M2 Amphibian at ABACE 2016
The Shanghai-based company has been working on the M2 design for the past six years and expects to fly it in three months.
Avionics
Metrojet Signs for ArincDirect Trip Support
Hong Kong-based Metrojet will use Rockwell Collins ArincDirect for international trip support services.
Charter & Fractional
VistaJet Sees Expanding Global Opportunities
VistaJet owns all of its airplanes and believes there are big opportunities for expansion of the China charter market.
Training and Workforce
Frasca Finds Growing Simulator Market in China
Frasca simulators span the range from light single-engine airplanes to helicopters and sophisticated business jets.
Training and Workforce
Enterprising Intern Celebrates Intro to Business Aviation
Rachel Lo’s dedication to learning about business aviation led to an internship at ABACE 2016.
Safety
AIN Blog: Icon's Liability-limiting Purchase Agreement
The move by Icon Aircraft to control numerous aspects of ownership of its A5 amphibious airplane seems heavy handed to many industry watchers.
Aircraft
Gulfstream G600 Might Take to the Sky Late This Year
Gulfstream is making good progress with certification work for the G500 and G600.
Charter & Fractional
Hongkong Jet To Acquire Asia Jet
After the purchase of Asia Jet by Hongkong Jet, the two companies will still be run as separate entities.
Aircraft
Gulfstream Still Growing Strong in China
Gulfstream’s market share in China is now more than 65 percent for large-cabin business jets.
Maintenance and Modifications
Radical Winglets Save Serious Money
Aviation Partners recommends early planning if you want its winglets on your BBJ–ready to save significant amounts of fuel.
Aircraft
Bombardier Preparing for Further Growth in China
The manufacturer’s newest service center is the Bombardier Tianjin Aviation Services Co., scheduled to open later this year.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Gogo Vision Supports Global IFE Service
Gogo’s satcom and IFE services are available for deployment worldwide.
Safety
Aircraft Performance Group’s iPreFlight App Ideal for China Operators
The iPreFlight iPad app includes runway analysis and weight-and-balance calculations, optimizing business jet payload capability.
Charter & Fractional
VistaJet Celebrates Record 2015
VistaJet’s 60-airplane business jet charter fleet averages less than two years old.
Airlines
RACCA 2016 Conference Arrives in Scottsdale April 26-28
The annual Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association conference will tackle the pilot and mechanic shortage and other critical issues.
Training and Workforce
FlightSafety Celebrates 65th Anniversary, Expands Asia Footprint
The training company newest installation in Asia is a Sikorsky S-76C+/C++ Level D-qualified full-flight simulator.
Maintenance and Modifications
CRS Jet Spares Fills Legacy Jet Support Niche
CRS Jet Spares saw its Asia business grow 13 percent in 2015 compared to 2014.
Charter & Fractional
Executive AirShare Continues Growth Path
The Kansas City company offers a fresh way to fly a business aircraft fractional-share.
Avionics
Hilton Software Adding Geo-ref DPs and STARs to WingX
WingX's new geo-referencing feature for departure procedures and STARs will be available on iOS devices in the second quarter.
Avionics
Universal Avionics Completes Departure Clearance Tests
Live testing of departure clearances took place in Louisville, Ky., using a FANS-equipped Citation VII owned by Universal Avionics.
Charter & Fractional
JetSuiteX Launches EMB-135 Service from Burbank to Concord
The new public charter service flies regularly scheduled trips between Burbank and Concord and Concord and Las Vegas.
Avionics
Guardian Panel Mounts Put Apple Devices Front and Center
The new iFDR Panel Mounts are designed for better viewing of iPhones and iPads in the cockpit environment.
Avionics
Synthetic Vision Coming to Avidyne Navigators
Avidyne's new synthetic vision features can be displayed on IFD navigators and via Wi-Fi on iPads using its new IFD100 app.
Training and Workforce
AIN Blog: Simulator Vs. Airplane Upset Training
There will always be disputes about whether simulators or airplanes are better for upset training, but each one offers benefits.
Avionics
Garmin Unveils New Standby Instrument and Audio Panels
Garmin's new G5 standby instrument can also service as a standalone autopilot solution, while the GMA 245/245R audio panels offer "superior" sound.
