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

With the California Senate introducing a bill that would phase out the distribution and sale of leaded avgas beginning in 2026, FBOs in the region are starting to make alternative plans. Among them is Million Air Burbank, which has now introduced supplies of Swift Fuels UL94 unleaded avgas ahead of any possibly leaded fuel ban.
UL94 has received a spike in interest since the U.S. EPA announced its <a href="https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-determines-lead-emissions-aircraft-engines-cause-or-contribute-air-pollution">final determination</a> that the lead emissions resulting from aircraft operating on leaded fuels could possibly endanger public health.
In December, the FBO invested in a new dedicated 1,000-gallon refueler to handle the unleaded fuel, which meets ASTM International D7547 specifications and has the same fuel density as 100LL for the calculation of weight and balance. It will continue to offer 100LL until all makes and models of piston aircraft are certified to run on unleaded fuel.
Two years ago, a government/industry initiative known as Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) was <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2022-02-24/faa-industry-partner-eagle-unleaded-avgas-initiative">launched</a> with the goal of removing leaded aviation fuel by 2030 “without impacting the safe and efficient operation of the piston-engine fleet,” according to previous FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. UL94 is now FAA-approved as drop-in ready for use in nearly three-quarters of the piston fleet with no modifications.
“In our commitment to a greener future, we recognize UL94 as a crucial transitional measure,” said Priscilla Howden, general manager of the location, which also offers sustainable aviation fuel and has achieved carbon neutrality. “We believe in identifying and implementing sustainable offerings at our FBO, and this is something we have been working towards. It seemed the right time to bring UL94 to Burbank, to make it even more accessible to pilots who want the fuel.”

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

Million Air Burbank Now Offers Unleaded Avgas

With legislators angling for a ban on leaded aviation fuel, FBOs are starting to take notice

The California Senate is introducing a bill to phase out leaded avgas in 2026; Million Air Burbank introduced supplies of Swift Fuels UL94 unleaded avgas.

Million Air Burbank Adds UL94 to Menu

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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.

One engine would be able to run at low-idle in a twin-engine helicopter application

FAA Proposes Special Conditions for PW220A Idle Cruise

Charles Alcock

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.

Improved engine production and test facilities are mainly focused on military programs

Rolls-Royce Completes $1 Billion Engine Site Upgrade

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.

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

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.

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

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News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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.

In this article

Million Air

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FAA Proposes Special Conditions for PW220A Idle Cruise

One engine would be able to run at low-idle in a twin-engine helicopter application

Rolls-Royce Completes $1 Billion Engine Site Upgrade

Improved engine production and test facilities are mainly focused on military programs

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Lack of Funding Shuts Hydrogen Propulsion Pioneer Stralis

Australian start-up planned to convert Beechcraft Bonanza and 1900D aircraft

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