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

Outerlink has received supplemental type certificate (STC) approval for the Air IP Wi-Fi system aboard the Bell 407 in cooperation with the Westchester County (New York) Police Department (WCPD). The county's aviation police unit was seeking a cost-effective and reliable alternative to its outdated microwave system.
“We found that the original microwave system installed had reduced capabilities due to line-of-sight limitations,” said WCPD sergeant Brian Powers. "It was extremely costly to purchase and maintain the ground infrastructure.”
The department decided to equip its newest Bell 407GXi with the Air IP system and also replace the microwave transmission system on its older helicopter. The Air IP allows the WCPD to utilize existing cellular networks and provide coverage outside the county if necessary. It can deliver HD video from the helicopter with minimal delay to the department’s Genetec server.
Operational data for the system shows multiple user capacity and bandwidth usage ranging between seven and 20 Mpbs throughout the entire flight. Outerlink provides the parts manufacturer approval-certified hardware, STC approval, and fully bonded services, with access to AT&amp;T First Net, Verizon Priority, and T-Mobile Priority services for first responders.
“We understand the satellite limitations for helicopters and decided to build a system that could expand the connectivity and ensure a reliable system that will keep customers connected,” said Outerlink v-p Jeff Warner. “The Air IP system provides users with a triple-redundant bonded network, minimizing any risk of service interruptions during flight.”
Sterling Helicopter played a role in securing FAA approval for the Bell 206/407-series STC, adding to the certification already in place for the Leonardo AW139.&nbsp;“We plan to expand this STC globally in 2025 into EASA, Brazil ANAC, and Transport Canada,” noted Edward Allen, Sterling’s director of engineering. “We are also adding more Part 29 and Part 27 helicopters.”

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

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