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

Vertical Aviation International (VAI) has signed up several companies in its Operational Risk and Resilience Accreditation (ORRA) program, which helps operators step up their safety programs with coaching assistance and a goal of continual improvement. VAI has teamed with VLinc to create an integrated ORRA team to help operators “go beyond traditional risk management and elevate their operational processes,” according to VAI.
“ORRA is designed to meet the diverse demands of small, medium, and large aviation operators, ensuring a robust yet flexible framework that empowers a trajectory of continuous growth, advancement, and safety improvement. This easy-to-start program meets operators at any stage of safety management system implementation and comes with a coach, so they’re always on a clear path of process improvement.”
Enrollments to the ORRA program include Brim Aviation (Ashland, Oregon); Dakota Rotors (Custer, South Dakota); Helius (Prescott, Arizona); Sikorsky (Stratford, Connecticut); Two Bear Air Rescue Foundation (Kalispell, Montana), and Helicopter Horizons (Maun, Botswana).
“We congratulate these operators for taking the critical first step toward safer operations by actively managing risks through trusted third-party coaching and self-assessment support,” said James Viola, VAI president and CEO. “Our team is ready to facilitate their journey of hazard discovery and risk mitigation, and we applaud their goal of striving for operational excellence.”

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

Operators Enrolling in Vertical Aviation International Risk Accreditation Program

ORRA encourages helicopter companies to go beyond traditional risk management

Vertical Aviation International (VAI) has signed up several companies in its Operational Risk and Resilience Accreditation (ORRA) program.

Operators Enrolling in VAI Risk Accreditation Program

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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.

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

Onboard Talon Dual Cargo Hook Approved in Bell 429

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Single-flight-control user interface makes helicopter flying safer and easier

FAA Issues Special Airworthiness Cert for Skyryse One

Kerry Lynch

Helicopter flights will be available to transport attendees between the Las Vegas Convention Center and Henderson Executive Airport

Blade Helo Shuttle Service Returns to 2024 NBAA-BACE

Europe was the only region to see sales increase, up by 5%

Aero Asset: Twin-engine Helo Market Retail Sales Drop

Company plans to offer medevac, cargo and passenger transport, and utility services

SGi Becomes Leonardo AW09 Launch Customer for Indonesia

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

Loft Dynamics VR flight simulation training devices can fill the full-flight simulator role

EASA Rule Change Removes Full-flight Sim Mandate

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.

In this article

Vertical Aviation International (VAI)

More In Rotorcraft

Onboard Talon Dual Cargo Hook Approved in Bell 429

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

FAA Issues Special Airworthiness Cert for Skyryse One

Single-flight-control user interface makes helicopter flying safer and easier

Blade Helo Shuttle Service Returns to 2024 NBAA-BACE

Helicopter flights will be available to transport attendees between the Las Vegas Convention Center and Henderson Executive Airport

Aero Asset: Twin-engine Helo Market Retail Sales Drop

Europe was the only region to see sales increase, up by 5%

SGi Becomes Leonardo AW09 Launch Customer for Indonesia

Company plans to offer medevac, cargo and passenger transport, and utility services

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LifePlus methodology enables extended life for certain components

Sasemar Awards Another 5-year SAR Contract to Avincis

The Avincis fleet used for the SAR contract includes Leonardo AW139s and Airbus H225s

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