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

The first Bell 505 Jet Ranger X deployed for police operations in the Asia-Pacific region has begun flying for the Aichi Prefectural Police in Japan. The police operation has been flying Bell helicopters for many years, including the Bell 206 and 412, and the 505 is the latest addition to the fleet.
Since FAA certification in 2017, Bell has delivered more than six hundred 505s, which now fly in 66 countries. The type’s aerial policing capabilities include surveillance, search and rescue, border patrol, and rapid deployment in emergency scenarios.
The Aichi Prefectural Police is responsible for helping maintain public safety, order, and security, and operates under the oversight of the National Police Agency.
“The Aichi Prefectural Police in Japan have a longstanding history with Bell, and it is our pleasure to accomplish this new milestone together,” said David Sale, Bell’s managing director for Asia-Pacific. “We are grateful for their trust and support throughout the years. The Bell 505 is versatile and capable for any challenge, and we are proud to see it chosen for such a wide variety of missions.”

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

Bell 505 Makes Asia-Pacific Debut with Aichi Prefecture Police

Joins fleet of longtime operator of Bell 206s and 412s

The Bell 505’s aerial policing capabilities include surveillance, search and rescue, border patrol, and rapid deployment in emergency scenarios.

Bell 505 Makes Asia-Pacific Debut with Aichi Police

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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.

Distributor will use the helicopter to introduce customers to its capabilities

Enstrom Delivers 480B to Africa’s Safomar Aviation

Charlotte Bailey

Supplier agreement aims to accelerate development of Sora S-1 eVTOL 

Toray Will Make Composite Airframes For Sora eVTOL

Jessica Reed

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.

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.

In this article

Bell 505 Jet Ranger X

Bell

More In Rotorcraft

Enstrom Delivers 480B to Africa’s Safomar Aviation

Distributor will use the helicopter to introduce customers to its capabilities

Toray Will Make Composite Airframes For Sora eVTOL

Supplier agreement aims to accelerate development of Sora S-1 eVTOL

Bell Helicopter Deliveries and Revenues Rise in Q2

Bell delivered 36 commercial helicopters, up from 32 in Q2 2025, although segment profit slipped 6%

Fundamental Advisors Acquires BlueSky Helicopters

Additional five aircraft bring asset manager’s helicopter fleet to 24

UK Joint Aviation Command Chinook Helicopter Flying Display at Farnborough Airshow 2026

Watch the agility of this massive dual-rotor helicopter.

Rotortrade CEO Bullish on Helicopter Market Shift

In a first-half market report, the executive noted inventory pressure

Bell 505 Hits 700 Deliveries at Farnborough Airshow

Type has logged more than 390,000 flight hours

Sikorsky Eyes European Production Line for NGRC

Company is studying advanced airframe configurations for the NATO medium helicopter replacement program

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN