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
ESI-500 Joins L-3 Aviation Products Standby Family
The new ESI-500 offers optional synthetic vision and integrates with L-3 Aviation's magnetometer.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Chicago Jet Exclusive Distributor for Adonis IFE
The new AdonisOne in-flight entertainment system is portable and thus can be carried from aircraft to aircraft.
Garmin D2 Bravo Steps Up Garmin’s Watch Game
Garmin’s D2 Bravo is a serious smartwatch with a strong set of aviation functions.
Airports
Bizav Gathers in St. Louis for NBAA Regional Forum
NBAA Business Aviation Regional Forum arrives in St. Louis
Avionics
Duncan Celebrate 30 Years of Satellite Avionics Shops
The company's satellite network now consists of 25 locations.
Avionics
Hilton Software Releases WingX Pro7 for Android
The new version of WingX Pro7 offers many of the same features as the iOS version.
Avionics
Clay Lacy STCs TrueNorth Fans-over-Iridium in CL-601
FANS equipment facilitates communication for flights over the North Atlantic and other regions.
Avionics
ForeFlight 7.3 Adds Garmin Two-way Flight Plan Transfer
ForeFlight Mobile's new two-way flight plan transfer capability will integrate with ForeFlight Web.
Book Review: Floatplane Odyssey Documents Record-breaking Flight
Although not recognized by officials, Tom Casey’s floatplane flight around the world was truly a record-breaking adventure.
Accidents
AIN Blog: Drop the Bag and Get Out of My Way!
Full-scale passenger evacuation demonstrations don't seem to match the reality of peoples' behavior in an emergency.
Avionics
Special Report: The No-pilot Cockpit?
Avionics manufacturers look to expand collaboration between humans and machines.
Avionics
Garmin Transforms Touch Controller Into Standby Instrument
The new Garmin GTC 580 touchscreen controller can eliminate the need to install a separate standby flight display.
Airports
Control of Airport Top Priority for SMO City Council
The Santa Monica, Calif. city council believes it is under no official obligation to keep the city's airport open.
Avionics
FAA Outlines LOA Process for Foreign GNSS Approaches
Process allows FAA inspectors to issue a Letter of Authorization to Part 91 operators to fly GNSS approaches in some countries outside the U.S.
Charter & Fractional
NetJets Pilots Plan Seven-city Informational Picketing
Dispute between NJASAP and NetJets centers around healthcare costs and pay issues, according to the pilots' union.
Maintenance and Modifications
AIN Blog: The Tragic Lameness of the SDR Database
The FAA and aviation industry are not making effective use of the Service Difficulty Reporting database.
Avionics
Product Support Survey Part 2: Avionics
Garmin tops the list of avionics manufacturers in AIN’s annual survey, with Rockwell Collins and Universal Avionics tied for second.
Charter & Fractional
Silver Air Taps FlightPro 135 for Regulatory Compliance
The web-based software simplifies the process of staying legal while reducing the paperwork burden.
Avionics
Stevens Aviation To Install CMD ADS-B Packages
CMD's ADS-B OUT solution is a relatively simple installation for aircraft equipped with Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 and 21 avionics.
Avionics
Avionica Unveils 4G QAR Data Delivery Module
The new 4G module will be STC approved for installation on 250 aircraft types, including all business jets and turboprops.
Aircraft
Citing Demand, Flexjet Accelerates G450 Deliveries
Flexjet placed an order for up to 50 Gulfstreams last October, which includes the G450, G650 and the new G500.
Avionics
FANS Upgrade Now Available for Falcon 900/900B
The upgrade allows aircraft to fly North Atlantic tracks where Fans equipage is required.
Airports
SoCal Bizav Operators Hail New VNY Customs Office
The new U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility at Van Nuys Airport saves international travelers an extra stop at LAX.
Safety
JetSuite Joins Aviation Safety Action Program
Participation in ASAP allows pilots, mechanics and dispatchers to report safety issues without fear of repercussion.
Aircraft
Flight Demo: Searey Elite Amphibian
Flying the Progressive Aerodyne Searey amphibian highlighted the versatility and pure fun of this type of aircraft.
Avionics
TrueNorth Simphone DLU Selected for FANS Upgrade
The Simphone FANS-1/A DLU Iridium satcom simplifies position reporting and communication with controllers over North Atlantic routes.
Avionics
Iridium Satcom-maker ICG Sold to Rockwell Collins
The acquisition of ICG adds new Iridium satcom capabilities to the Rockwell Collins product line.
Avionics
TCAS 7.1 Upgrade Certified for Early Citations
Textron Aviation is installing the TCAS II Change 7.1 software at its factory-owned service centers.
Aircraft
Latitude Prepping for Brazil Certification
The Citation Latitude is making its first LABACE appearance and is on track for Brazilian certification in early 2016.
Regulations and Government
Huerta: New FAA Enforcement Policy "A Big Big Change"
FAA Administrator Michael Huerta discussed an important new policy change at the EAA AirVenture Meet the Administrator forum on July 23.
