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

The November 2006 fatal crash of the Grob G180A SPn prototype was caused by failure of the twinjet’s horizontal stabilizer, according to the final report recently issued by the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU). “The wreckage pattern allowed for only one conclusion: that the horizontal stabilizer had suffered an in-flight breakup due to aerodynamic flutter,” rendering the aircraft uncontrollable, the report stated. While the cause of the flutter was not determined, investigators considered a retrofitted elevator mass balance a possible culprit, as well as prior damage to the elevator horn. The company’s chief pilot was killed in the crash, which occurred while the SPn was being flown on a demonstration flight in low ceilings. Company policy dictated a “reduced flight display”–speed below 200 knots and a cloud-base minimum of 1,500 feet–but the aircraft was flying at up to 270 knots. The BFU issued several safety recommendations stemming from the accident, including a requirement that all test aircraft with an mtow of more than 12,566 pounds be equipped with flight data and cockpit voice recorders. The agency also wants EASA and other civil aviation authorities to “check and monitor the integration of subcontractors in design organizations engaged in the design and construction of aircraft.”

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.

Grob Prototype Crash Caused by Stabilizer Failure

The November 2006 fatal crash of the Grob G180A SPn prototype was caused by failure of the twinjet’s horizontal stabilizer, according to the final report r

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

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

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Part 5 of a series from new AIN Media Group title Leeham News and Analysis

What Shape Will the Next Generation of Airliners Take?

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

Blown-wing technology demonstrator conducted flight trials with Virginia Tech and Surf Air Mobility

Electra Set to Take Deposits for Ultra Short Hybrid-electric Aircraft

Matt Thurber

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.

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.

Latest development is autoland for piston-powered SR series

Safety Technology Satisfies Cirrus Aircraft Buyers

Amy Wilder

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

More In Aircraft

What Shape Will the Next Generation of Airliners Take?

Part 5 of a series from new AIN Media Group title Leeham News and Analysis

Electra Set to Take Deposits for Ultra Short Hybrid-electric Aircraft

Blown-wing technology demonstrator conducted flight trials with Virginia Tech and Surf Air Mobility

Safety Technology Satisfies Cirrus Aircraft Buyers

Latest development is autoland for piston-powered SR series

LABACE Marks 20 Years with Strong Sales, Attendance

Brazil 2025 growth strong, but industry leaders warn of tax and regulatory challenges ahead

Argus: Global Bizav Operations See July Momentum

Business aircraft flights were up 3.7% YOY in July

Joby Begins Assembly of Conforming Electric Aircraft For TIA Tests

FAA type inspection authorization flights are expected to begin in early 2026

Bombardier Sets Sights on U.S. Expansion

Plans call for multi-phase, multi-project growth in U.S.

What Shape Will the Next Generation of Airliners Take?

Part 4 of a series from new AIN Media Group title Leeham News and Analysis

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