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

DRF Maintenance has opened a new EASA Part 145 helicopter hangar at Straubing in Germany’s Bavaria state and completed the location’s first extensive maintenance contract. The location joins DRF’s maintenance facilities in Wilhelmshaven in Lower Saxony and Rheinmünster at Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport, and it is ideally positioned to serve aeromedical helicopters operated by DRF Luftrettung&nbsp;and Austria’s ARA Flugrettung.
The first contract done at Straubing included software updates and detailed engine and avionics inspections. Aircraft serviced at Straubing include the Airbus EC155 and H145, and DRF plans to add the H135. The facility is equipped with “maintenance docks, modern workstations for complex maintenance work, and workshops for sheet metal repairs and avionics,” according to DRF.
“The opening in Straubing is an important step, both for us and for our customers,” said Hendrik Schubien, managing director of DRF Maintenance. “It brings our service quality closer to them and at the same time enables more efficient processes.” With more than 50 years of experience in air rescue and maintenance, he added, “This expertise remains at the heart of our quality promise.”

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.

DRF Maintenance Expands Helicopter Maintenance Services at Straubing

Facility specializes in work on aeromedical helicopters

Aircraft serviced at DRF Maintenance Straubing include the Airbus EC155 and H145, and DRF plans to add the H135. 

DRF Maintenance Expands Helo Maintenance at Straubing

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charlotte Bailey

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.

Acquisition of Alaskan-based service center augments turboprop specialist’s expertise

Silver Sky Aviation Becomes Blackhawk’s Sixth Location

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

Covers a variety of popular rotorcraft models from Airbus, Bell, Enstrom, and MD

Airwolf Adds Japan STCs for Lithium-ion Batteries

Curt Epstein

Former aircraft operator turns fully to MRO services

MRO Profile: Desert Jet Maintenance

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

MRO provider serves general aviation, commercial aviation, and defense customers

AAR and Collins Extend Deicing Distribution Agreement

EASA and FAA approval also adds non-destructive testing capabilities

ExecuJet Malaysia Adds Falcon 7X to Mx Capabilities

In-house academy is helping relieve the shortage of aircraft maintenance technicians

Twenty-five West Star Graduates Qualify for A&P Tests

Modification package available for classic and APMG owners

Honda Adds Upgrades to Latest HondaJet Configuration

Charles Alcock

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

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