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

Global helicopter utility operator Helicopter Express has selected TracPlus to manage its fleet of 46 helicopters. TracPlus helps operators with real-time visibility, analytics, and reporting for aerial and ground assets, especially for firefighting operations. The two companies ran a trial period, then began the formal deployment earlier this year.
TracPlus specializes in helping utility operators gain real-time visibility of aircraft, crews, and operational activity. Purpose-built analytics are available for firefighting operations, including performance reporting and transparency for clients. Validation of flight and billing information is available automatically, “reducing manual processing and improving billing accuracy,” according to TracPlus.
The single platform supports a flight operation’s various teams, such as operations, finance, maintenance, and executive leadership, with insights that eliminate fragmented workflows, reduce administrative burden, and enable scaling operations “with greater confidence.”
Helicopter Express’ fleet includes&nbsp;Sikorsky S-64 Skycranes, Kaman K-Max K-1200s, Airbus AS350s, and Bell 412EPXs, 205s, and 407s.
“As Helicopter Express has grown, so has the complexity of running our fleet,” said Scotty Runyan, Helicopter Express v-p, government services. “TracPlus has given us the platform to manage that complexity without adding overhead. We can track every aircraft across every base, automate our reporting, and make faster, better-informed decisions, whether we’re fighting fires in California or managing lift operations overseas. For a growing company, that kind of operational clarity is invaluable.”

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

Helicopter Express Picks TracPlus Mission Platform for Firefighting Operations

System tracks and shares information with all appropriate parties

TracPlus helps operators with real-time visibility, analytics, and reporting for aerial and ground assets, especially for firefighting operations.

Helicopter Express Picks TracPlus Mission Platform

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Amy Wilder

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Company commits approximately £15 million to the project

Leonardo Opens 10th UK Location at Elstree Aerodrome

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.

French Sécurité Civile helicopters unit transitioning to Airbus H145D3 models

France’s Dragon Firefighters Get New Airbus H145D3 Helicopters

Kerry Lynch

Asia-Pacific and Middle East/Africa accounted for 40% of Rotortrade’s business in 2025

Rotortrade Sees Business Boom in APAC, Middle East

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

Japanese companies say 100 air taxis could be operational around Osaka in 2035

SkyDrive Consortium Eyes Commercial eVTOL Services By 2028

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

Medical helicopters could adopt antimicrobial blue light technology 

Airbus and Lindo Explore HEMS Cabin Disinfection

Upgrade swaps C20B engine for more powerful C30

MD Helicopters Receives STC for Engine Upgrade Kit

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

More In Rotorcraft

Leonardo Opens 10th UK Location at Elstree Aerodrome

Company commits approximately £15 million to the project

France’s Dragon Firefighters Get New Airbus H145D3 Helicopters

French Sécurité Civile helicopters unit transitioning to Airbus H145D3 models

Rotortrade Sees Business Boom in APAC, Middle East

Asia-Pacific and Middle East/Africa accounted for 40% of Rotortrade’s business in 2025

SkyDrive Consortium Eyes Commercial eVTOL Services By 2028

Japanese companies say 100 air taxis could be operational around Osaka in 2035

Airbus and Lindo Explore HEMS Cabin Disinfection

Medical helicopters could adopt antimicrobial blue light technology

MD Helicopters Receives STC for Engine Upgrade Kit

Upgrade swaps C20B engine for more powerful C30

Wisk Makes First Flight With Second Gen 6 eVTOL Prototype

Full-scale, autonomous aircraft pair will work towards transition milestone

Bell Sells Three 429s to UK, Estonia VIP Operators

VIP interior can accommodate up to seven passengers

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