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

Gulfstream designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and services business jet aircraft.

Gulfstream GIV, GIV-SP,G300, G350,  and G450

Matt Thurber

The FAA has approved 101 Aviation’s supplemental type certificate (STC) for installation of the True Blue Power TB50 lithium-ion battery in Gulfstream IV, G450, GV, and G550 models. True Blue Power, 101 Aviation, and Aloft AeroArchitects partnered on developing the STC.
At 44.3 pounds, the 50-amp TB50 battery weighs 51.7 pounds less than a NiCad and 41.7 pounds less than a lead-acid battery. Maintenance of the TB50 is also much simpler, with no scheduled checks during its average eight-year life, while NiCad and lead-acid batteries require deep cycling and regular capacity checks, according to True Blue Power. Nicad and lead-acid batteries also have a shorter lifespan.
The TB50 has a battery management system to monitor cell voltage, current, and temperature. During cold-weather operations, a built-in heater warms the battery before engine start, eliminating the need to remove the battery in freezing temperatures.
STCs from 101 Aviation for main-ship True Blue Power batteries are also available for Bombardier Challengers and Globals, as well as Embraer models.
“Our objective is to deliver the simplest battery upgrade possible while providing Gulfstream IV, G450, GV, and G550 operators with a solution that eliminates maintenance, reduces weight, and offers a service life that far exceeds what they are accustomed to,” said 101 Aviation president Mike McClain. “The first Gulfstream TB50 battery installation is scheduled for the end of this month, and the upgrade can be completed in as little as half a day. This delivers significant advancements in reliability, performance, and life cycle cost with minimal downtime.”

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.

101 Aviation STC Tames the Li-on aboard Gulfstreams

True Blue Power battery has an average lifespan of eight years

Maintenance of the TB50 is much simpler, with no scheduled checks during its average eight-year life, while nicad and lead-acid batteries require deep cycling and regular capacity checks.

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.

Five-year maintenance agreement will support future fleet expansion 

Wheels Up Taps Av8 for Phenom 300 Landing Gear Support

Hanneke Weitering

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.

Stevens Aerospace installed G1000 NXi avionics and Garmin Autothrottle

U.S. Army C-12 Marks 1,000th Garmin King Air Retrofit

1Call, Go Teams, and mobile service units consolidated under Seth Parsons

Textron Aviation Realigns Mobile Service Network Teams

System reduces research time while linking to supporting records

Bluetail’s Auto Research Delivers Records in Seconds

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

Hollywood-based facility receives FAA approvals, expanding in-house services 

Prima Air Receives FAA Part 145 Maintenance Certification

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

TB30 or TB40 weighs up to 19.4 kg less than the original nicad system

EASA Approves Lithium-ion Main-ship Battery for EC135

MEMS-based system delivers actionable data to support proactive maintenance

GPMS Signs Wisk Air for Bell 412 and 407 GXi HUMS

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

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.

NBAA-BACE 2026

In this article

Gulfstream GIV/GIV-SP/G300/G350/G450

Gulfstream GV/G550

True Blue Power

Gulfstream

More In Maintenance and Modifications