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

Full-service aviation company Pentastar Aviation has adopted Vision Aircraft Records as its official provider for aircraft logbook software solutions.
According to Vision, its Secured Managed Aircraft Records Technology (SMART)—introduced in 2016—is the only electronic record-keeping system for business aviation that is accepted by the FAA. It digitizes all aspects of aircraft records, including maintenance entries, inspections, and airworthiness data, and allows users to search, share, and manage those documents on a cloud platform. Pentastar will integrate the digital logbook system into its suite of services as it continues on its path as a paper-free pioneer in the aviation sector.
“We are honored to work with Pentastar Aviation, an esteemed name in business aviation,” said Vision CEO Mark Leeper. “This collaboration is a testament to our mutual goal of advancing the aviation industry through technological innovation.”
Based at Detroit-area Oakland County International Airport (KPTK), Pentastar also just saw a change in leadership, naming company veteran Brad Bruce as president and CEO, succeeding Greg Schmidt, who was thanked for his 16 years of service. A former U.S. Marine, Bruce most recently served as Pentastar’s executive v-p of sales and maintenance.
“Brad has a strong passion for serving our customers, leading teams, and supporting talent,” said Pentastar owner Edsel B. Ford II. “I know he is the right leader as we approach our next chapter as a company.”

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

Pentastar Aviation Adopts Vision Aircraft Records Digital Logbook Program

The system is a paperless, cloud-based recordkeeping solution

As it celebrates its 60th anniversary, Pentastar Aviation has named a new president/CEO and adopted a new digital aircraft logbook software solution.

Pentastar Aviation Gets SMART with Vision Aircraft Records

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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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