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.

Senior Editor

Curt Epstein

Germany-based HEMS operator DRF Luftrettung will install the HeliMods Powered Aero Loader (PAL) on its fleet of H145 medevac helicopters. Last year, with cooperation from HeliMods, DRF acquired the EASA STC for the PAL.
The electro-hydraulic system allows the rapid loading and unloading of ambulance stretchers into the aircraft with just the push of a button. It is currently being tested at DRF’s bases in Stuttgart and Regensburg.
“After successful completion of the test, we will be the first provider in European air rescue to use the stretcher ourselves,” said DRF CEO Krystian Pracz. “It not only benefits the patients but also enables the crews to work even more ergonomically.”
The two companies will pursue a partnership to distribute the PAL in the European market, signing a letter of intent to that goal this week at Heli-Expo 2024.
“The patient and crew are always at the forefront of our products and the system has been very successful in use in Australia and Canada for several years,” said HeliMods managing director Will Shrapnel. “We will now work out the next steps together with DRF Luftrettung so that the PAL can be available for operators across Europe.”

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

DRF Luftrettung To Adopt HeliMods Stretcher Loading System

Move will make DRF Luftrettung the first in Europe to use the Powered Aero Loader

Germany-based HEMS operator DRF Luftrettung will install the HeliMods Powered Aero Loader on its fleet of H145 medevac helicopters.

German HEMS Provider To Adopt Stretcher Loading System

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

AmyWilder

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.

Influence shapes safety culture in aviation

Michael Graham Talks Safety Culture at Standdown

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.

Tony Kern brings his A game to the annual safety event

Hypervigilance and the Right Influence

Wichita welcomed attendees to the 28th edition of the Safety Standdown

Bombardier Safety Standdown Promotes Safety Influencers

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

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.

Speculation suggests that Boeing might sell aviation chart data provider Jeppesen for $6 billion

Will Boeing Add Jeppesen to Asset-sale Plans?

Kerry Lynch

Montreal airframer will host flight attendant summit in Hong Kong

Bombardier Grows Safety Forums on Success of Standdown

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

Safety investigations launched following close call

NTSB Prelim Details A319/King Air Incursion at KDCA

Stuart “Kipp” Lau

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

How a positive safety culture contributes to an effective SMS 

AINsight: PB&J, SMS, and Safety Culture

Jessica Reed

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

Heli-Expo 2024

More In Safety