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.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

Switzerland-based Junkers Flugzeugwerke unveiled the latest in its lineup of classic aircraft reproductions, the JU-52 NG, this week at the Aero Friedrichshafen show in Germany. The JU-52 joins modern versions of older Junkers designs such as the single-engine F13 and two-seat A50 Junior; all feature the unique corrugated aluminum skin surrounding the hollow-frame structure of the classic designs, but with 2024 aluminum instead of the duraluminum used in the originals.

 


Unlike the older JU-52 powered by radial engines, the JU-52 NG will be fitted with three 550-hp RED A03-005 diesel engines. Avionics will be a full Garmin suite with autopilot and satellite weather. A cargo door will enable the loading of up to six standard pallets when the JU-52 NG is operated in cargo configuration. Normal passenger load will be up to 14, and each will have their own large window.

 


Junkers plans to offer the JU-52 NG for commercial sightseeing, airline, and cargo operations, including to unimproved airports.

 


Other features include an underfloor baggage compartment accessible through the cabin floor; USB recharging ports at each seat; and single-point refueling. Maximum takeoff weight will be 8,616 kg (18,995 pounds), cruise speed 97 knots, and range of 1,236 km (667 nm).

 


At this point, Junkers is presenting the JU-52 NG project, according to company founder and CEO Dieter&nbsp;Morszeck. He expects the first commercial sightseeing flights in the JU-52 NG to take place in 2026.

 


Junkers also provided details about its other new project, the two-seat, side-by-side single-engine A60 with retractable landing gear. This will enter production in 2023 and has an optional closed or open cockpit.

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