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 FAA has issued a <a href="http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgSAIB.nsf/dc7bd4f27e5f107486257221005f069d/2de4430f75bcc4d68625830700548c94/$FILE/HQ-18-28.pdf">special airworthiness Information bulletin</a> (SAIB) regarding <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2018-08-24/close-call-falcon-def-contaminated-fuel">last month’s incident</a> where five aircraft were serviced with jet fuel contaminated with diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) at Miami Opa-Locka Executive Airport, while an additional nine aircraft were fueled using equipment that had been exposed to DEF. The agency identified the aircraft, including the Falcon 900EX that was forced to make an emergency return to base as its engines began failing due to clogged fuel systems, and noted that it has sent a copy of the SAIB to the registered owner of each.

 


While the agency said the issue does not currently warrant issuance of a broader Airworthiness Directive, it is requesting that owners and operators of the aircraft involved report any service difficulties or anomalies. Further, it recommends they consult with the OEMs of the aircraft, engines,&nbsp;and APUs to determine the appropriate inspection and corrective maintenance actions required.

 


When mixed with jet fuel, DEF will react and form crystalline deposits that can accumulate on filters and other fuel system components such as fuel nozzles. The deposits can also settle in the fuel tanks, where they might potentially later become dislodged and cause problems. "The crystalline deposits are not soluble in fuel, so they cannot be removed by flushing the airplane fuel system with jet fuel," the FAA added.

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

FAA Issues SAIB on Jet-A DEF Contamination Incident

According to the agency, no fewer than 14 airrcraft were involved in the August incident at Mami Opa-Locka Executive Airport, and require inspection.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

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.

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

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.

Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur teams with hydrogen business jet developer 

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Partners will prioritize applications in Brazil and the U.S.markets

Hitachi and Eve Team to Provide eVTOL Charging 

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

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.

Energy group supported flight pioneers in the 1920s

Air bp Marks Centennial of Aircraft Refueling Service

Chad Trautvetter

U.S. still relies on imported oil from Middle East for jet fuel

World Fuel: U.S. Jet-A Supply at ‘Critical Levels’

Amy Wilder

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.

All fuel types showed increases versus March

U.S. Aviation Fuel Prices Rise across the Board

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

EASA and Eurocontrol are considering measures to save aircraft fuel 

Safety Guidance May Prompt Shift in Fuel Tankering Rules

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

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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Beyond Aero and French Airports Prepare for H2 Flights

Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur teams with hydrogen business jet developer

Hitachi and Eve Team to Provide eVTOL Charging

Partners will prioritize applications in Brazil and the U.S.markets

Air bp Marks Centennial of Aircraft Refueling Service

Energy group supported flight pioneers in the 1920s

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U.S. still relies on imported oil from Middle East for jet fuel

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All fuel types showed increases versus March

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Charter operators incur sharps spike in fuel costs

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The war with Iran is having lasting effects on aviation.

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