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 heavy-lift helicopter operator and manufacturer Erickson will expand on that latter capability with the announcement here at Heli-Expo that it has been selected as the U.S. manufacturer for the Seeker purpose-built light observation aircraft.

 


“To ensure the quality of the Seeker’s construction meets the demands of its end users, we are very pleased to have a partner whose dedication to excellence assures us of producing a top-quality aircraft,” noted Seeker Aircraft CEO David Pohlman. The light fixed-wing aircraft with short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability is currently flying operations in more than 10 countries including the U.S., where it is in use by the New Mexico State Police.

 


Based in Portland, Ore., Erickson (Booth 9251) recently bolstered its leadership by hiring industry veteran Rob Lewis as vice president and general manager of its commercial business unit. Lewis succeeds Andy Mills, who was named vice president of global business development. Also joining the company is Gary Starr, vice president of global supply chain; Erick Nodland, global director of operations; and Chris Maynard, Erickson’s business development manager for Alaska.

 


Known also for its heavy-lift helicopter maintenance, the company was recently subcontracted by Adams Communication &amp; Engineering Technologies to refurbish two MH-53E Sea Dragons, the largest rotorcraft in the U.S. Navy’s inventory. The company also completed the delivery of the last of five out-of-production tail pylons to Sikorsky to support the U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E program.

 


On the operational front, the Erickson S-64F Aircrane continues to prove its versatility in a variety of operations around the world. The company was just contracted by NASA to study the concept of using a helicopter to conduct mid-air retrieval of spacecraft upon atmospheric re-entry. The company is also partnering with India’s largest private developer of power transmission systems to install nearly 160 power line towers in the country’s rugged Pir Panjal mountain range. It will mark the first time transmission lines will be constructed in India using a precision heavy-lift helicopter.

 


Lastly, the company recently announced the renewal of two Canadian aerial timber harvesting contracts, marking the company’s return to its roots. “Erickson has operated in Canada for more than 30 years,” said Mills. “Aerial timber harvesting is where we began as a company.”

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

Erickson Builds on its Manufacturing Capability

Known for its heavy helicopter building prowess, the company will drastically shift gears with its new contract.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charlotte Bailey

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.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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.

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations 

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany 

Matt Thurber

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

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.

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European Helicopter Association and Vertical Aviation International extended their alliance

Sikorsky Is Upgrading the Black Hawk Helicopter for Evolving Military Needs

Armed forces will be able to outfit Black Hawks with new armament and equipment.

Sikorsky’s S-97 Raider Points to a New Level of Performance for Future Helicopters

Originally developed for the U.S. military, X2 technology is in search of a new customer.

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