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

A measure on the ballot that would have ceded control of Colorado’s Aspen/Pitkin County Airport to county voters instead of county officials was rejected by voters on November 5. The measure essentially removed from the county board of commissioners the ability to authorize and use state or federal grants to expand or relocate any runway at the airport beyond the dimensions existing as of Jan. 1, 2024, unless approved by Pitkin County voters.
In a letter sent on October 17, the FAA had warned the county board that the ballot measure, if approved, would be in violation of federal grant assurances.
“Pitkin County, the Sponsor of Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, is obligated to comply with FAA Grant Assurances, as recipients of over $119.6M in FAA grant funding since 1982. Specifically, Grant Assurance #5, Preserving Rights and Powers, states that Pitkin County ‘will not take or permit any action which would operate to deprive it of any of the rights and powers necessary to perform any of all of the terms, conditions, and assurances in the Grant Agreement without the written approval of the Secretary…'”
The AOPA supported local stakeholders in this effort and said the rejection of the ballot measure “was in the best interests of both the local community and aeronautical users.”
"As we continue to work with airport tenants, airport administration, and the community to resolve airport-related concerns, it will be important for all to understand the critical nature of working together and within the bounds of what we can control," said AOPA Northwest Mountain regional manager Brad Schuster.
"The FAA letter was particularly noteworthy in that it was issued&nbsp;prior to&nbsp;the ballot measures being voted on. Failure to get airport development plans in line with FAA standards would have jeopardized future FAA airport maintenance and development funding—and could have been a violation of federal law if local voters had chosen to support the ballot measures."

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Aspen Residents Vote To Continue County Control of Airport

Ballot measure would have ceded decisions on runway expansion to residents

In a letter sent on October 17, the FAA had warned the county board that the ballot measure, if approved, would be in violation of federal grant assurances. 

Aspen Residents Vote for County Control of Airport

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Curt Epstein

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.

Palm Beach closure will accommodate work being done in the runway's surrounding area

KPBI To Shut Down Runway for Three Months

Charles Alcock

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

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.

Dubai's Road and Transport Authority is involved in construction of four vertiports

Joby and Skyports Start Building First Dubai Vertiport for eVTOL Air Taxis

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.

Aircraft owners will no longer have to fly to other airports to buy fuel

High-octane Unleaded Avgas is Now Available at Reid-Hillview Airport in California

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

Reid-Hillview Starts Pumping High-octane Unleaded Avgas 

Jessica Reed

Strategic co-branding agreement bolsters ground support network

Universal Aviation Enters Portugal and Cape Verde with Safeport Partnership

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

More In Airports

KPBI To Shut Down Runway for Three Months

Palm Beach closure will accommodate work being done in the runway's surrounding area

Joby and Skyports Start Building First Dubai Vertiport for eVTOL Air Taxis

Dubai's Road and Transport Authority is involved in construction of four vertiports

High-octane Unleaded Avgas is Now Available at Reid-Hillview Airport in California

Aircraft owners will no longer have to fly to other airports to buy fuel

Reid-Hillview Starts Pumping High-octane Unleaded Avgas

Aircraft owners will no longer have to fly to other airports to buy fuel

Universal Aviation Enters Portugal and Cape Verde with Safeport Partnership

Strategic co-branding agreement bolsters ground support network

Universal's ClearVision Adapts to Airport Lighting Changes

The ClearVision EVS-5000 features multispectral camera technology

Post-Milton, Florida Airports Pick Up the Pieces

Following the Category 3 storm, most Florida airports are back in service

Industry Honors Robert Olislagers’ Legacy as GA Advocate

Olislagers was executive director of Centennial Airport in Colorado for more than two decades

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