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

The FAA has essentially shut down flight-sharing systems that attempted to match pilots with passengers who wished to fly to the same destination. One such company, AirPooler, sought an FAA interpretation to ensure that its business model didn’t violate the regulations.


<a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aviation-international-news/2014-08-06/airpooler-puts-ride-sharing-system-hold-while-clarifying-faa-standpoint">AirPooler voluntarily asked the FAA “for confirmation</a> that a pilot participating in the AirPooler service is not receiving compensation in violation of 14 CFR 61.113; and a legal analysis of whether pilots participating in the AirPooler website are commercial operators who would be required to hold a certificate under 14 CFR Part 119.”


The FAA explained that flights involving shared expenses “are compensation,” and the rules simply are an exception that allows Part 91 operators to do so. However, the passenger and pilot must have a “common purpose” for traveling to the destination, other than just defraying flight costs.


Since the flights involve compensation, the FAA wrote, “By posting specific flights to the AirPooler website, a pilot participating in the AirPooler service would be holding out to transport persons or property from place to place for compensation or hire.” AirPooler CEO Steve Lewis said the decision stalls “the opportunity for private enterprise and government to work together to foster innovation in the sharing economy.”

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.

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News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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