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

During a recent stint as a pilot flying a Twin Otter turboprop across the Drake passage to Antarctica, captain Paul C. used Aeronautical Data Systems’ Ergo Blue app to monitor the position of ships in case of an emergency requiring ditching in the ocean.
The Ergo Blue app provides ship position using automatic identification system data from Orbcomm. When the Apple iPad is connected to a GPS source, Ergo Blue shows the aircraft position relative to the ships, and the user can select a ship as a waypoint and view the bearing and distance to the ship. The Ergo Blue information can also be connected to ForeFlight and added as a layer on the ForeFlight moving map, enabling pilots to plot “direct-to” navigation guidance to a ship.
By clicking on a ship, the user can view contact information for the ship and the ship’s bearing and speed to help anticipate its future location. When connected to the internet via satcom, the Ergo Blue information is kept current. Without a satcom connection, the user can download the latest information before takeoff and view estimates of the ship’s positions.
In an emergency, the user can push an “SOS” button in the Ergo Blue app, and when the iPad is connected to a portable marine radio, the app automatically transmits a mayday distress call to all ships within VHF range on a continuous 2.5-minute loop, including the aircraft’s location.&nbsp;
“Crossing the Drake Passage between the southern tip of South America and the Antarctic Peninsula is one of the most challenging flights any professional pilot can undertake,” Paul C. explained. “The Drake’s notoriously adverse weather conditions, combined with over 700 miles of some of the coldest open water on the planet, make for a daunting task. Should a ditching be required, survival rests on expeditiously locating and contacting marine traffic for rescue. Ergo Blue is an app that assists in both preflight route planning and real-time data. Knowing where ships are along one's flight path, combined with survival equipment and underwater egress training, gives pilots a fighting chance for survival should the unthinkable happen. Any pilot operating over water should make Ergo Blue a part of their EFB.”

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Twin Otter Pilot Taps Ergo Blue App To Enhance Safety on Antarctic Trips

Software shows ship positions to improve survival chances during a ditching

The Ergo Blue app provides ship position using automatic identification system data from Orbcomm. 

Twin Otter Pilot Taps Ergo Blue App for Antarctic Trips

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Stuart “Kipp” Lau

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Mishaps started with flight crews not responding correctly to flight control warnings on takeoff

AINsight: Recent Bizav Accidents Are Head-scratchers

Chris Lutat

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Knowing FMS and debrief protocols are important 'Ins' for 2025

What’s In and What’s Out for 2025: You Decide

AmyWilder

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Flexjet leads industry in FAA SMS compliance efforts

Flexjet Meets FAA’s SMS Rule Far Ahead of 2027 Deadline

Charles Alcock

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

News and information about crew, passenger, aircraft and airport security issues.

Updated conflict zone information bulletin follows destruction of Azerbaijan Airlines flight

EASA Extends Warning over Flights in Russian Airspace

A report of engine damage claims a metallic object was involved

FAA Acknowledges G550 In-flight Object Strike at FL270

Kerry Lynch

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Part 135 operators face a May 2027 SMS deadline

NATA Forum To Help Operators Prepare for SMS Mandate

Julie Boatman

Pilots must be aware of when known icing is present and prepare

Knowing the Known in Icing

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

More In Safety