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.

Business Aviation Services Editor

Curt Epstein

Global MRO provider FL Technics has broken ground on a maintenance facility at Punta Cana International Airport (MDPC) in the Dominican Republic.
According to the company, the facility will focus on heavy airframe checks for airliner-class jets, such as Boeing’s 737 and Airbus’ A320 families, but will also handle Boeing Business Jets and Airbus Corporate Jets.
The complex—which is expected to be operational by the end of the year—will be developed in three phases, with the first offering five work bays and eventually expanding to 20. It will be equipped with advanced infrastructure and specialized workshops for heavy sheet metal structures, composites, paint, and non-destructive testing.
For staffing, FL Technics plans to partner with local vocational schools and introduce train-to-hire programs.
“The strategic move to open a new heavy maintenance center in Punta Cana—a location previously without independent MRO services—is based on our proven global experience,” said Juozas Lepeika, the company’s deputy CEO for base maintenance. “Heavy defects are our niche, and we will aim to become the top-choice MRO provider in the region.”
He added that the goal is to deliver not just top-quality service, but the best turnaround times, something it hopes to achieve by focusing on a narrowly defined scope of airplanes. “Serving a broad spectrum of aircraft would not allow the same depth and precision,” he said.

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.

FL Technics To Open New Caribbean MRO by End of Year

Facility will specialize in smaller Boeing and Airbus aircraft

FL Technics expects its new large-aircraft MRO in the Dominican Republic to be operational by the end of the year.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

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.

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.

System makes it easier to ensure training requirements are met

Mission Aviation Adopts ELMS Compliance Solution

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.

Deadline is approaching rapidly, and experts worry that repair stations are not ready

SMS Due for U.S. Repair Stations Holding EASA Approval

Amy Wilder

Certified mobile teams provide on site services

Lufthansa Technik Adds European Engine Wash Partner

Top-tier maintenance plan brings additional user benefits

Textron Aviation Expands ProAdvantage for Citation CJs

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Halotron BrX replacement units are size-equivalent and weigh about the same

Avcon Approved for Non-Halon Extinguishers in Learjets

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

The 12-month project increased the size by 60%

StandardAero Completes Major Georgia Facility Expansion

Kerry Lynch

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 and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

More In Maintenance and Modifications

Mission Aviation Adopts ELMS Compliance Solution

System makes it easier to ensure training requirements are met

SMS Due for U.S. Repair Stations Holding EASA Approval

Deadline is approaching rapidly, and experts worry that repair stations are not ready

Lufthansa Technik Adds European Engine Wash Partner

Certified mobile teams provide on site services

Textron Aviation Expands ProAdvantage for Citation CJs

Top-tier maintenance plan brings additional user benefits

Avcon Approved for Non-Halon Extinguishers in Learjets

Halotron BrX replacement units are size-equivalent and weigh about the same

StandardAero Completes Major Georgia Facility Expansion

The 12-month project increased the size by 60%

Gulfstream Reaches 100th Starlink Installation

100th installation was aboard a G650ER

Honeywell Adds Zenith to TFE731 Engine Support Network

Channel Partner approval followed new investment by parent company Opul Jets

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