A lifelong aviation enthusiast who joined&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;in 2007, Curt came to&nbsp;the publication&nbsp;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&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;sister publication&nbsp;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&nbsp; Aviation Journalist Award in 2012 and won a Pegasus Sapphire Business Aviation Award for outstanding journalism in 2021.
Before joining AIN, Curt worked with&nbsp;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.

Senior Editor

Curt Epstein

Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based aviation services provider Banyan Air Service has completed its first Advanced Performance Modification Group (APMG) package upgrade on a HondaJet. It reduces the light twinjet’s takeoff field length by 443 feet to 3,491 feet, increases forward baggage capacity by 200 pounds, and boosts the MTOW to 10,700 pounds.

 


The package includes a horizontal stabilizer extension, removal of the vortex generators on the tail and winglets, and the elimination of the mid-aileron fences. Upgrades to the Garmin G3000 avionics software enhance situational awareness and safety, through increased connectivity with Flight Stream 510 compatibility, electronic checklist, and advanced integrated takeoff and landing (TOLD) calculations.

 


Banyan, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this month, has been the exclusive HondaJet sales and service facility for the U.S. Southeast since 2014, with staffer Michael Gibson recently recognized by the manufacturer as the world’s top sales performer.

 


In addition to the APMG modifications, the company’s MRO team provides a range of services including inspections, structural modifications, engine work, and avionics installations for Wi-Fi and high-speed data, as well as repairs to its G3000 cockpit suite.

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.

Banyan Completes First HondaJet APMG Upgrade

The package modfies a HondaJet into a better-performing HondaJet.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

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

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.

Facility joins company’s maintenance operations in Norwich and Glasgow

Gama Aviation’s Staverton Base Adds H145 Mx Approval

Jessica Reed

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.

Gill by Teledyne and ADS add product offerings to PJi’s catalog

Pilot John Adds New Suppliers to E-commerce Platform

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

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.

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Gama Aviation’s Staverton Base Adds H145 Mx Approval

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Dallas-area Jets MRO Receives FAA Engine Mx Approval

Company has achieved a lot in a year and a half

Citadel Completions Earns Saudi Part 145 Certification

Approval expands international service capability

Aerospace Design & Compliance Secures PAH, PMA Approval

Florida company is now a production approval holder with parts manufacturer approval

Tamarack Expands Active Winglet Dealer Network

MRO operates service facilities in Ohio and Florida

ExecuJet Haite MRO Adds EASA Falcon 6X Line Mx Approval

ExecuJet Haite operates at three airports in China

Bluetail Fleet Surfaces Data from Aircraft Records

New feature makes it easier to organize, access, and manage information

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