<p>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&amp;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.</p>


Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

<p>The Helicopter Association International’s 2011 Heli-Expo show, which closes today, looks to have exceeded expectations, with exhibitors, attendees and orders indicating a strong climb out of the long economic downturn. HAI predicts record attendance of more than 20,000, and HAI president&nbsp;Matt Zuccaro&nbsp;said&nbsp;there were&nbsp;"a&nbsp;record&nbsp;625 exhibitors." All of the helicopter manufacturers announced multiple orders and most launched new rotorcraft at the show, including a new entrant, Marenco Swisshelicopter and its <a href="?q=node/28902">single-engine composite SKYe SH09 single</a> powered by Honeywell’s HTS900. <a href="?q=node/28928">Eurocopter unveiled a new AStar</a>, the B3e version with a Turbomeca Arriel 2D, as well as the fenestron-equipped <a></a>EC145T2 with new Arriel 2Es, while Bell added two new variants of the 407, the <a href="?q=node/29018">407GX</a> with a Garmin G1000H and the 407AH armed helicopter targeted at the parapublic and military export market. AgustaWestland brought a mockup of its AW169 twin to Heli-Expo and reported a 56-percent growth in orders during 2010, compared to 2009. MD Helicopters CEO Lynn Tilton is preparing the company for massive growth from <a href="?q=node/29006">pending deals</a> with Boeing and a Middle East EMS operator. And Sikorsky president Jeff Pino reported strong 2010 results and plans for expanding the company’s non-defense portfolio, as well as significant technological advances. Reports from exhibitors indicate strong attendance and buying activity at this year’s Heli-Expo, and some exhibitors are even expressing concern about finding qualified employees.</p>



Heli-Expo 2011 Breaks Previous Show Records

The Helicopter Association International’s 2011 Heli-Expo show, which closes today, looks to have exceeded expectations, with exhibitors, attendees and ord

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