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

Barrington Irving, who holds two Guinness World Records as the youngest person, and first Black man, to fly solo around the world 20 years ago, is planning another world flight in 2027. This time the feat is aimed at encouraging more people to embrace aviation careers—and to expand support from companies for apprenticeships and training.&nbsp;
Irving’s 2007 flight was in a Columbia 400 piston single, but next year’s trip will be faster in a business jet. As was the case for the first trip, Executive Air Services founder and CEO Fabio Alexander Vasquez will sponsor the 2027 flight, and the Aircraft Electronics Association and NBAA will provide additional support. Vasquez introduced Irving to NBAA before his first flight, and that led to broad support from the industry.
Irving has founded three student-focused organizations to help fund scholarships, develop STEM curricula, and to provide technical training for future aerospace workers: Experience Aviation, Flying Classroom, and Barrington Irving Technical Training School.&nbsp;
“NBAA literally gave me my wings,” Irving said, “and Fabio Alexander was very core as a title sponsor behind that. Now to be back here again at NBAA…the first time I attended was thanks to Fabio.”
The support he received “started right here at the show,” he said. “Now to be on the verge of flying around the world again, but this time with a different twist, where we want to focus on getting as many individuals into business aviation, manufacturing within aviation, as well as other opportunities in the industry.
“I got into aviation due to a random chance meeting with an airline pilot,” he recalled. “That’s where my journey in aviation began, and I met Fabio and that took me to the next level. There are a lot of young people out there…who have interest in aviation, but they may not know how to access it. Where do I actually start?&nbsp;
“There’s an abundance of resources in our industry. What we’re trying to do is streamline [the process]. How do I make those first steps? How do I get involved? Everyone sees the planes, but they don’t see the hands behind the planes, the logistics, and from business to the operation.
“The first time we just wanted to inspire young people to pursue careers in aviation. Now we want to empower young people as well as adults to pursue these careers, whether it’s through apprenticeships, job shadowing, and so forth. We’re lining up different companies to sign up and say, ‘We’ll offer apprenticeship opportunities.’
“This time around, to have the tailwind of Fabio and others in industry, alongside NBAA and the Aircraft Electronics Association, we’re going to do it again. We’re very excited, but this time the purpose is to create one of the largest apprenticeship programs ever done for aviation.”
“Barrington is a visionary leader with an inspiring mission,” said NBAA interim COO Dan Hubbard. “NBAA is proud to have supported him 20 years ago, and we’re proud of all that he has achieved since. His dedication to expanding opportunity reflects the very best of business aviation. His 2027 flight is an exciting platform to help us make the next generation part of the workforce of tomorrow.”

Barrington Irving’s Next World Flight To Expand Apprenticeship Opportunities 

Record holders next trip will take place in 2027 in a business jet

Barrington Irving’s first world flight was done in a single-engine piston Columbia 400 but next year’s trip will be somewhat faster in a business jet.

Irving’s Next World Flight To Expand Apprenticeships

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

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

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

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.

Operators can assess whether a flight is even possible before making detailed plans

UAS Launches AI-driven SkyX Trip Feasibility Tool

Jeremy Kariuki

AI-powered integration expedites quoting for Avianis operators

Levo, Portside Offer Flight Quotes for Avianis Operators

Amy Wilder

Dashboard gives fast access to manual, checklists, contacts

Nimbl Module Links Emergency Practice to Real Response

Collins Aerospace is making it easier and more efficient for flight operations to access data

ArincDirect Opens API To Allow Enterprise Connections

Hanneke Weitering

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

WingX flight data and JetNet records now flow into ChatGPT and Claude

JetNet Opens Its Aviation Data to AI Assistants

Charlotte Bailey

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

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

Electra Aero to fly from various locations in late 2027

Five Norwegian Sites for Hybrid-Electric Flight Demos

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Bizav and general aviation airports become proving grounds for AAM

FAA’s eVTOL Pilot Program Takes Flight across the U.S.

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

NBAA-BACE 2026

More In Operations