Curt Epstein
Business Aviation Services Editor
A lifelong aviation enthusiast who joined AIN in 2007, Curt came to the publication from the broadcast industry where he was a national science and technology television reporter and producer. He writes on the FBO field, aviation finance, and sustainable aviation and occasionally contributes to AIN sister publication Business Jet Traveler. Curt was a member of the AINtv reporting staff that won the 2008 Aerospace Journalist of the Year award for Best Airshow Daily. That same year, he was a finalist for another AJOYA award. He earned an AJOYA for Best Business Aviation Submission in 2018 and was a finalist in that category in 2021. He received the National Air Transportation Association’s Aviation Journalist Award in 2012 and won a Pegasus Sapphire Business Aviation Award for outstanding journalism in 2021.
Before joining AIN, Curt worked with Consumer Reports’ television division, CRTV, and for several local television news staffs. An honors graduate of the State University of New York at Stony Brook, he earned a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from Boston University in 1995. Curt lives in New York State with his wife and two young sons.
Latest from Curt Epstein
Maintenance and Modifications
L2 Aviation To Provide Install for Avionica QARs
The Texas-based company originally participated in the certification of the miniQAR last year, and has performed several installations.
Maintenance and Modifications
Skandia's PC-12 Acoustic Kit Gets EASA Nod
European approval comes a year after the sound-deadening modification kit earned its STC from the FAA.
Maintenance and Modifications
West Star Aviation OK'd for Sovereign Winglet Installs
The MRO provider has received authorization from Winglet Technolgies to install its Transitional winglets on the Cessna Sovereign.
FBOs
Signature Expands Italian Service Network
New affliate FBO locations include Bergamo, Catania, Florence, Naples, Palermo, and Pisa.
FBOs
Shell Aviation Network Expands in New England
Columbia Air Services FBOs in Bar Harbor, Maine and Rutland, Vermont are the latest to join the Titan Aviation Fuels-distributed network.
Sustainability and Environment
North Dakota Company's Jet To Hunt Florida Storms
Weather Modification International's Citation II will participate in a program with the University of North Dakota and the U.S. Navy on thunderstorms.
Avionics
U.S. Bizav Fleet Reaches 77 Percent ADS-B Equipage
With less than half a year before the FAA mandate takes effect, nearly 4,000 business aircraft have yet to be modified.
Avionics
Honeywell Buys Autopilot Maker TruTrak
Trutrak’s CEO and owner Andrew Barker will join subsidiary BendixKing's executive team
FBOs
Paragon Network Expands Caribbean Footprint
Copeca Jet Center, one of two FBO’s at Puerto Rico’s Rafael Hernandez International Airport is the latest to join the Paragon Network.
Safety
Ebola Caution Advised on Central Africa Bizav Flights
Due to the virus outbreak, Universal Weather & Aviation is advising operators to get the most updated information prior to flying there.
Maintenance and Modifications
Blackhawk Earns STC for King Air 300 Engine Upgrade
The package includes replacement of the PT6A-60A engines with new, higher-rated PT6A-67As, and swapping the four-blade Hartzell props for five blades.
FBOs
Private Aviation Terminal Debuts at Milan Malpensa
The move corresponds with a scheduled three-month closure of the Italian city's Linate airport.
Regulations and Government
Aviation Safety Information Clearinghouse Debuts
SkyRegs which launched today at EAA Oshkosh, promises to help users quickly sort through thousands of pages of regulatory documents.
FBOs
Global Trek Joins Aviaa Supplier Network
Since its founding last year Aviaa now has nearly 150 FBOs in its preferred supplier network.
FBOs
New Hangar Debuts at Dallas Love Field
Built by Business Jet Center, the new 46,000-sq-ft hangar is already fully booked.
Private Aviation Paradise for Sale in Florida
The Jumbolair property, which includes the longest private runway in the U.S., a mansion and a residential complex is now on the market.
Charter & Fractional
Jet Linx Introduces New Flightsharing Feature
Part of the company's new mobile application, it will allow aircraft owners and jet card members the ability to sell empty seats on a per-flight basis.
Aircraft
First PC-24 Joins Canada's Registry
Following the light jet's Transport Canada certification last month, Canadian distributor Levaero has delivered the first C-registered of the type.
Avionics
BendixKing, Airwork Team on Helo Flight Deck Upgrades
The STC developed by New Zealand-based Airwork with assistance from BendixKing, will focus on Part 27 rotorcraft, starting with the AS350.
Training and Workforce
NATA Rolls Out Revamped Safety 1st Training System
The first major upgrade to the online program in more than a decade, its focus has changed from certification-based to ratings-based learning.
Sustainability and Environment
New Organization Champions E-aviation
With its official launch reception, the Eco-Aviation Foundation is on a mission to foster awareness and adoption of electric and hybrid aircraft.
Airports
Las Vegas Gateway To Receive New Hangar Complex
The first of its kind at Henderson Executive Airport, the facility, which is already nearly fully occupied, will debut next spring.
Accidents
NTSB: Crew Noted Engine Problem Before King Air Crash
The report hints at possible problems with the aircraft's left engine on takeoff.
G650ER Crew Sets New Polar Circumnavigation Record
The Qatar Executive G650ER covered the 21,691 nm route in 46 hours and 40 minutes, shaving nearly six hours off the previous record.
Maintenance and Modifications
FTC To Hold Repair Restriction Workshop
The free event, while not aviation specific, looks to examine ways in which manufacturers seek to limit third-party repairs in various industries.
Safety
ERAU Earns IS-BAO Stage III
The aeronautical university is the first educational facility to earn the highest level of the voluntary safety managemeny system-based program.
G650 Crew Attempts Record Polar Circumnavigation
Dubbed "One More Orbit," the flight launched at the same time and location as the Apollo 11 mission a half century ago.
FBOs
NATA To Sponsor Hangar Foam-suppression Study
With the standard for aircraft hangar fire suppression up for revison, the study will examine the causes, hazards, and costs of accidental foam discharge.
Airports
Runway Removal To Commence at SMO
The project will irrevokeably reduce the length of the airport's Runway to 3,500 feet.
