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

Aviation associations are celebrating the defeat of Hawaii Senate Bill 2747, which would have required air tour operators to carry aircraft liability coverage of $20 million per person per incident. AOPA, NBAA, and NATA collaborated with the Vertical Aviation Association (VAI) on steps to oppose the bill.
S.B. 2747 was introduced by Senator Chris Lee (D-District 25) in January and would have required $1 million per person per incident liability insurance. This version of the bill passed in both the Hawaii Senate and House, but the Senate Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts removed that threshold and sent the bill for further review to the House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce. This committee has “expertise in addressing insurance limits,” according to the VAI, and in April it increased the liability limit to $20 million.
The VAI highlighted the damage that the bill would cause to air tour operators “in productive dialogue with Hawaii state legislators to address the vertical aviation industry’s concerns about the bill,” the association said, “emphasizing the potential financial burden and regulatory conflicts the bill posed.” Two key issues were “the impracticality of obtaining the specified insurance coverage at a reasonable cost and the risk of violating FAA grant assurances, potentially jeopardizing Hawaii’s federal funding for airport improvement programs.”

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Legislators Kill Harmful Hawaii Air Tour Insurance Bill 

The bill would have required liability insurance of $20 million per person

A key issue of the Hawaii Senate Bill 2747 was “the impracticality of obtaining the specified insurance coverage at a reasonable cost," according to the VAI.

Legislators Kill Hawaii Air Tour Insurance Bill 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Mark Huber

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

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.

Jury awards $116 million for doors-off crash victim

FlyNYON Tragedy Results in Hefty Jury Award

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Upgrade is available at MD Helicopters service centers

First MD500E to MD530F Helicopter Conversion Done

Chad Trautvetter

Commercial shipments nearly doubled, while new military program brought in more than $80M

Bell Soars in 3Q with Higher Civil Helo Deliveries, FLRAA

Charles Alcock

Japan General Aviation Service is already a customer for the larger 429 model

Bell Appoints Japanese Dealer for 505 Helicopter

Plan will help ensure long-term job stability for Portugal workforce

Avincis Strengthens Portugal Helicopter MRO Base

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

More In Rotorcraft

FlyNYON Tragedy Results in Hefty Jury Award

Jury awards $116 million for doors-off crash victim

First MD500E to MD530F Helicopter Conversion Done

Upgrade is available at MD Helicopters service centers

Bell Soars in 3Q with Higher Civil Helo Deliveries, FLRAA

Commercial shipments nearly doubled, while new military program brought in more than $80M

Bell Appoints Japanese Dealer for 505 Helicopter

Japan General Aviation Service is already a customer for the larger 429 model

Avincis Strengthens Portugal Helicopter MRO Base

Plan will help ensure long-term job stability for Portugal workforce

PHI Adds H175s to Australian Energy Support Fleet

Twin-engine aircraft will be based at Broome in Western Australia

Onboard Talon Dual Cargo Hook Approved in Bell 429

Kits are retrofittable to 429s with existing single- or dual-hook systems

Operators Enrolling in VAI Risk Accreditation Program

ORRA encourages helicopter companies to go beyond traditional risk management

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