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

Battery manufacturer Saft has released a prototype version of its new 28-volt lithium-ion (Li-ion) main-ship battery that allows aircraft OEMs to begin bench-testing it for future applications.
The first battery being offered is a 60-amp-hour unit that “stores more than twice the energy in the same weight and one and a half times the energy in the same volume than a lead-acid battery,” according to Saft. Weight savings with the Li-ion battery in some aircraft applications could be as much as 20 to 30 kg (44 to 66 pounds).
Saft includes smart monitoring features for real-time battery health and status reporting. A Mil-Spec interface is standard, as is a DO-311A1-compliant vent and case meeting thermal runaway containment requirements.
The battery employs Saft's proprietary cell chemistry and will be manufactured at one of its aviation-certified facilities. Development of the battery took place at Saft’s research and development facilities in Cockeysville, Maryland, and Bordeaux, France.
“We have a long track record in providing Li-ion technology for aviation with the Joint Strike Fighter and other commercial programs,” said Annie Sennet, executive v-p for the aerospace, defense, and performance division. “Our new lithium-ion battery for aviation uses all this expertise, translating it into an innovative solution, long-awaited by the industry, that offers a safe, cost-effective, high performance, and weight-saving alternative to lead-acid technology.”

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.

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The weight savings for the new Li-ion battery in some aircraft applications could be as much as 20 to 30 kg (44 to 66 pounds). 

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