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

This week at EAA Airventure, aircraft modification specialist Blackhawk Group announced it has submitted a request to the FAA for a supplemental type certificate (STC) on its XP66D engine upgrade for Daher TBM 700-series turboprop singles.&nbsp;Replacing the original stock 700-shp Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada PT6A-64 engine with the 850-shp PT6A-66D, bringing the TBM 700 performance on par with that of the upgraded TBM 850.
Blackhawk’s testing data reveals that the modification slashes time-to-climb to FL310 by six minutes and increases maximum cruise by an average of 25 knots to more than 300 knots. Additionally, the more powerful turboprop engine offers lower operating costs and enhanced safety margins with its increased power, according to Blackhawk.
“The new XP66D engine upgrade exemplifies Blackhawk’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation in the aviation industry,” said Edwin Black, president of Blackhawk’s proprietary upgrades division. “This upgrade combines our extensive experience in STC development with the deep TBM platform knowledge of [our] Avex performance center, delivering a transformative performance solution to TBM 700 owners.”
Its certification testbed—a 2004 TBM 700C2—is on display this week at EAA AirVenture. The airplane, which is available for purchase, has been fully refurbished and features an upgraded cockpit and cabin, in addition to the engine upgrade.

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.

Blackhawk Nears FAA STC Approval for Daher TBM 700 Engine Upgrade

Modification specialist is anticipating imminent approval

The Blackhawk Group expects to receive an STC for its engine upgrade on the Daher TBM series shortly.

Blackhawk Nears STC Approval for TBM 700 Engine Upgrade

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

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

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.

TrustFlight supported the operator in getting approval from the Romanian aviation regulator

Charter Operator Toyo Approved To Use Electronic Tech Log

Company will be exclusive Americas distributor for engine/prop upgrade

Blackhawk Group Tapped for Piper Meridian Mods

The upgrade package on the King Air 350 promises more power and better perfomance 

Blackhawk Submits Data for Latest King Air STC

Matt Thurber

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.

Photorealistic renderings allow customers to view the design from any angle

Scheme Designers Highlights 3D Paint Scheme Designs

The company’s major MRO facility opened in 2021

Metrojet Engineering Clark Adds Guernsey Mx Approval

Repairs and inspections can be done at the customer’s facility

PJI Extends Mobile GSE Service Nationwide

The move expands the company's aircraft maintenance capabilities 

Pula Aviation Services Buys UK MRO

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.

EAA AirVenture 2025

In this article

TBM 700/850 Series

BlackHawk Aerospace

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