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

Piedmont Propulsion Systems—which specializes in maintenance, repair, and overhaul of airplane propellers and helicopter rotor blade components—is expanding its Winston-Salem, North Carolina maintenance facility by 13,500 sq ft to support increasing global demand.&nbsp;Located at Smith Reynolds Airport (KINT), the Piedmont facility—which supports a broad range of Dowty, Hamilton Sundstrand, Hartzell, and McCauley propeller systems—currently includes 66,000 sq ft of space.
According to parent company First Aviation Services, the multimillion-dollar expansion, which is expected to be operational by October, will enable Piedmont to further optimize its facility layout and production flow, as well as improve turnaround times. The redesigned workspace will also enhance shop floor ergonomics, enabling a safer and more efficient working environment while supporting lean practices across the facility.
“This expansion reflects the strong demand we continue to see for high-quality propeller maintenance services from operators around the world,” said First Aviation Services president and COO Paul Bolton. “By expanding our facility and optimizing the shop layout, we’re able to streamline workflow, support our technicians, and deliver faster turnaround times for our customers.”

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.

Propeller and Rotor MRO Piedmont Propulsion Systems To Expand

The company will add to its 66,000-sq-ft location at KINT

In response to growing demand for its services, propeller and helicopter rotor blade component MRO provider Piedmont Propulsion Systems is expanding.

Propeller and Rotor MRO Piedmont Propulsion To Expand

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

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

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.

Four-week class conducted by specialists from the engine manufacturer

Duncan Aviation Technicians Complete PW308 Training

Charles Alcock

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 and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Transaction includes flight training and aircraft charter/management operations 

Pilatus Acquiring Sales and Support Provider Air Alliance

Facility specializes in PC-12 and PC-24 maintenance

Cutter Aviation Opens KBJC Pilatus Service Center

Amy Wilder

STC expands special mission capabilities for Cessna platform

FAA Approves Avcon Single Sensor Port for Caravan

Component specialist helps operators with schedule certainty

Av8 Buys More Phenom 300 Landing Gear and Parts

Kerry Lynch

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.

Project incorporated AeroSuite private space

Greenpoint Delivers  VVIP 787 Interior Completion

The work also included aircraft upgrades and refurbishments

Duncan Aviation Completes Its First Key Falcon 8X Check

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

More In Maintenance and Modifications

Duncan Aviation Technicians Complete PW308 Training

Four-week class conducted by specialists from the engine manufacturer

Pilatus Acquiring Sales and Support Provider Air Alliance

Transaction includes flight training and aircraft charter/management operations

Cutter Aviation Opens KBJC Pilatus Service Center

Facility specializes in PC-12 and PC-24 maintenance

FAA Approves Avcon Single Sensor Port for Caravan

STC expands special mission capabilities for Cessna platform

Av8 Buys More Phenom 300 Landing Gear and Parts

Component specialist helps operators with schedule certainty

Greenpoint Delivers VVIP 787 Interior Completion

Project incorporated AeroSuite private space

Duncan Aviation Completes Its First Key Falcon 8X Check

The work also included aircraft upgrades and refurbishments

AeroSource and ZenithJet Team To Support Aircraft Buyers

Partners want to be involved in private aircraft transactions across the Asia-Pacific region

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN