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.

Senior Editor

Curt Epstein

Aerial application provider Simplex Aerospace has received a Validation of Supplemental Type Certificate (VSTC) from the Chinese aviation authorities for its Fire Attack system intended for use on the Bell 412. The approval makes it the first FAA STC validated for aerial firefighting in China. In the U.S., the STC on the system is valid for all medium Bell helicopters, and the company expects that eventually to be true in China as well.

 


During the past two years, the Portland, Ore.-based manufacturer has added new functionality to the Model 304 system, such as the ability to carry passengers with the hover refill pump installed. According to Simplex, with the addition of its new stowable hover pump latch aft hook, operators are permitted the flexibility to stow the aerial refill pump and carry passengers, making it the only helicopter firefighting system to offer such multi-mission capability.

 


The model 304 is the largest designed for Bell medium helicopters, with a 375-gallon water- and foam-carrying capacity, and it can quickly be installed and removed with no required airframe alterations. According to company president and CEO Mark Zimmerman, the 304 Fire Attack system is the only one available for the medium Bell family that is approved by the FAA for use in night operations. Other features include selectable drop patterns, multiple drop capability and automatic emergency water drop in the event of an engine failure.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Simplex Set To Fight Fire in China

The Portland, Oregon-based manufacturer’s Model 304 Fire Attack system is validated for use on the Bell 412 in China.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

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.

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.

Upgrade is available at MD Helicopters service centers

First MD500E to MD530F Helicopter Conversion Done

Chad Trautvetter

Commercial shipments nearly doubled, while new military program brought in more than $80M

Bell Soars in 3Q with Higher Civil Helo Deliveries, FLRAA

Charles Alcock

Japan General Aviation Service is already a customer for the larger 429 model

Bell Appoints Japanese Dealer for 505 Helicopter

Plan will help ensure long-term job stability for Portugal workforce

Avincis Strengthens Portugal Helicopter MRO Base

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

HAI Heli-Expo 2015

More In Rotorcraft

First MD500E to MD530F Helicopter Conversion Done

Upgrade is available at MD Helicopters service centers

Bell Soars in 3Q with Higher Civil Helo Deliveries, FLRAA

Commercial shipments nearly doubled, while new military program brought in more than $80M

Bell Appoints Japanese Dealer for 505 Helicopter

Japan General Aviation Service is already a customer for the larger 429 model

Avincis Strengthens Portugal Helicopter MRO Base

Plan will help ensure long-term job stability for Portugal workforce

PHI Adds H175s to Australian Energy Support Fleet

Twin-engine aircraft will be based at Broome in Western Australia

Onboard Talon Dual Cargo Hook Approved in Bell 429

Kits are retrofittable to 429s with existing single- or dual-hook systems

Operators Enrolling in VAI Risk Accreditation Program

ORRA encourages helicopter companies to go beyond traditional risk management

FAA Issues Special Airworthiness Cert for Skyryse One

Single-flight-control user interface makes helicopter flying safer and easier

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