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

U.S. judge Randall Dunn on Friday ruled that China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co. (CAIGAC) will be the winning bidder for the assets of bankrupt turboprop kit manufacturer Epic Air, but only if it licenses bidder LT Builders Group to manufacture Epics in Bend, Ore., according to a report in The Oregonian, which has been attending the Epic hearings. CAIGAC bid $4.3 million, but if the Chinese company and LT Builders can’t come to an agreement, then Harlow Aerostructures is next in line with a bid of $4 million. Rich Lucibella, who owns one of the partially built Epic LT turboprops currently locked in Epic’s facilities in Bend, told AIN, “I thought it was a brilliant solution to the issue.” He said Judge Dunn’s “original ruling required a [Chapter 11, Section] 363 auction of assets, with a promise that he’d choose the best bidder or plan. In the end he rejected all of the bids and the LT Builders’ plan and crafted yet a fourth ‘bid’ of his own.” According to David Criswell, attorney for Chapter 11 trustee Kenneth Eiler, Dunn’s ruling on the plan for CAICAG and LT Builders to work together or on the final winning bidder is expected tomorrow.&nbsp;

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.

Epic Air Asset Sale Decision Expected Tomorrow

U.S.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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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.

Ultra-long-range model has amassed 75 records, many from customer trips

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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.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

AltiSky will assemble, sell, and service VoltAero's aircraft

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Jennifer Leach English

Company noncommittal on expanding its lineup upwards, citing $1B investment cost

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Operations ebbed, backlogs were steady, and available aircraft increased

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Greenville-based charter operator pre-orders 10 eVTOL air taxis

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Charles Alcock

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

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Speed Records Abound for Bombardier's Global 7500

Ultra-long-range model has amassed 75 records, many from customer trips

Flying Privately: How Aircraft Like the Bombardier Global 7500 Come to Life

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VoltAero Picks U.S. Distributor for Cassio Hybrid-electric Aircraft

AltiSky will assemble, sell, and service VoltAero's aircraft

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GJC: Bizjet Market Continues To Stabilize in 3Q2024

Operations ebbed, backlogs were steady, and available aircraft increased

SAI Flight To Operate SkyDrive eVTOL in South Carolina

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AMSL Starts Untethered Flight Tests with Vertiia eVTOL Aircraft

Australian start-up is developing a hydrogen-powered aircraft

Deliveries Increase as EHang Works to Boost eVTOL Aircraft Performance

Chinese manufacturing wants to extend range with solid-state batteries

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