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

Former U.S. Air Force pilot Sean Gillette announced yesterday the launch of a new “personal jet” program, the Saker S-1, a twin-engine two-seater capable of flying 1,600 nm and cruising at Mach 0.95. With twin vertical fins, tandem seating and short fighter-like wings and stabilizer, the S-1 brings to mind the <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aviation-international-news/2007-12-27/lack-funding-halts-javelin-program">Aviation Technology Group Javelin</a>.


Although Saker is employing AirBoss Aerospace, the same company that helped design the Javelin, the S-1 is larger. “Our aircraft has a similar mission,” said Gillette. “But it’s a lot bigger, with better performance and [about] 4,000 pounds heavier.” The S-1’s mtow is 11,500 pounds. Maximum altitude will be 45,000 feet, with the cabin pressurized to 8,000 feet.


Gillette is targeting both civil and military markets; the Mach 0.99 executive S-1 would cost about $5 million, while the military version with an ejection seat and Mach 1.1 capability would sell for $6- to $7 million. Gillette’s team, headquartered in Los Angeles, has completed preliminary design, and he said he is close to securing funding to build prototypes and receive FAA and EASA Part 23 certification. If all goes as planned, certification would occur in the 2017 to 2018 time frame, with deliveries beginning in 2019.

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