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

Sport aircraft manufacturer Pipistrel is displaying a range of conventionally powered and electric aircraft this week at EAA AirVenture 2018. In addition to its Virus SW and Sinus Flex Rotax-engined, high-wing, light sport aircraft (LSA) and Taurus 503 self-launching sailplane, the Slovenia-based airframer has brought its electrically powered Alpha Electro and Taurus Electro, the world’s first two-seat electric aircraft, which are both currently in production and available for purchase. The company is conducting demonstrations of both electric aircraft during the show, along with aerial displays in the manufacturer’s showcase, this week at the show.

 


At its booth, the company is also displaying its new, second-edition Solar Trailer, which can charge the Taurus Electro in approximately five hours without outside electrical hook up. The trailer features nearly 2 kW of flexible solar panels bonded to its roof, and in case of cloudy weather, it is equipped with a 3-kW integrated storage battery. According to the company's "Fly for Free" concept, the trailer will allow users to fly using solely solar energy, with no environmental emissions.

 


As another charging option, the company has developed the Skycharge, what it describes as the first vehicle charging station designed exclusively for electric-powered aircraft.﻿ It is available in several configurations that can charge up to four aircraft simultaneously. It can accept multi-voltage input or, optionally, solar or battery power. A LED indicator visible from the aircraft shows the charge status, with touchscreen LCD display controlling all operations on the weatherproof unit.

 


Also on display is its new X-Alpha full-size virtual reality training simulator, which was developed in cooperation with its test pilots and instructors. The cabin on the device is identical to that found on Pipistrel’s Alpha or Alpha Electro aircraft, equipped with the same control interface needed to fly the actual airplane. The VR headset provides the pilot a “highly immersive” experience, with the ability to interface with a 360-degree view of the cockpit and surrounding landscape, along with sound replicating actual throttle settings. It can be used for basic flight instruction as well as currency training.

 


The company continues to update its international online <a href="http://www.pipistrel-online.com">Pipistrel Academy ground training program</a>. Established in 2012 it has already enrolled more than 600 users from 31 countries. According to the company, this is “the first globally available e-course that explains the ins-and-outs of operating and flying the current generation of innovative electric aircraft.” The Alpha Electro trainer course is offered free of charge to anyone interested.

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.

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