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

Following his indictment last year on federal <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-06-10/aerovanti-ceo-indicted-federal-fraud-charges">fraud charges</a>, Patrick Britton-Harr has been found guilty of six counts of wire fraud related to the failed AeroVanti private flying club. A federal jury found that Britton-Harr “defrauded customers by making false promises about how he planned to use their money.” He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years per count in federal prison and is also set for trial in October for a Medicare fraud scheme.
During the trial, evidence showed that Britton-Harr and AeroVanti offered “Top Gun” members block discounted flight hours in Piaggio P.180 Avanti turboprop twins for $150,000, which was to be used to buy aircraft. Top Gun members paid about $15 million, but Britton-Harr never bought any aircraft and instead used the money to buy yachts and jewelry and to fund living expenses.
“Evidence at trial further established that Britton-Harr then attempted to conceal his fraud by obtaining a $1.5 million loan to purchase one of the aircraft he already claimed that he purchased with Top Gun member funds by withholding material information from the lender to obtain the loan,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.
“This conviction sends a strong message that if you scam and defraud others, we’re coming after you with the full weight of the law,” said Kelly Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland.

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Top Gun members paid about $15 million, but Britton-Harr never bought any aircraft, instead using money to buy yachts and jewelry and to fund living expenses.

Jury Finds AeroVanti’s Britton-Harr Guilty of Wire Fraud

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