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

Beechcraft King Air 300, 350, and 360 series

Curt Epstein

Aircraft modification specialist Blackhawk Group has completed the application process for supplemental type certificate (STC) approval for its integration of the Hartzell advanced five-blade composite propeller with Blackhawk’s XP67A Engine+ upgrade on the Beechcraft King Air 350.&nbsp;The company said today&nbsp;at EAA Airventure that it has submitted all flight test data—derived through the installation of the package on its testbed King Air—to the FAA for validation.
According to Blackhawk, the upgrade provides a 24% increase in available horsepower (1,200 she), with improved performance including cruise speeds of more than 337 knots and climb to FL350 in less than 18 minutes.
Hartzell’s five-blade composite propellers offers a 10-pound weight reduction on each side of the aircraft versus standard four-blade aluminum propellers. Its reduced diameter also lowers cabin noise while enhancing occupant comfort and its blades offer unlimited service life.
Blackhawk’s XP67A modification has been in service for more than eight years and is a replacement for the stock Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada PT6A-60A engines.
“This STC approval is a major step for King Air 350 operators seeking to elevate the performance of their aircraft without the cost of a new airframe,” said Edwin Black, president of Blackhawk’s proprietary upgrades division. “By combining Hartzell’s cutting-edge propeller technology with our proven XP67A engine upgrade, we’re offering a next-level solution that maximizes value, performance, and long-term ROI.”

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 Group Submits Data for Latest King Air STC

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

The Blackhawk Group has submitted test data for its latest upgrade package on the King Air 350.

Blackhawk Submits Data for Latest King Air STC

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.

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.

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

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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.

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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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Castle Air Expands Helo Maintenance with Heliwork Buy

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

EAA AirVenture 2025

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King Air 300 Series

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