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

Cessna Citation 560XL, Excel, XL, XLS, and Ascend

Curt Epstein

Elliott Aviation is anticipating an STC from the FAA for its new low-cost ADS-B Out solution for the Cessna Citation Excel and XLS. According to the Illinois-based MRO, the STC can also be applied to any aircraft with the Honeywell Primus radio package, including the Hawker 800A/800XP and 1000; Citation 550s, 560s, 650s, and Xs; Bombardier Learjet 40/45s; and Embraer Legacy 600/650s, as part of the FAA’s follow-on installation policy. It requires no modifications or upgrades to the existing Honeywell hardware and uses remote-mount Garmin GTX-3000 "smart" transponders.

 


Similar to that for the company’s other Garmin ADS-B solutions, such as those for the Collins-equipped Hawkers, Beechjet 400A/400XPs, and Premier I/IAs, the design provides seamless integration with existing cockpit controls, including those of TCAS-II-equipped aircraft. It can also provide ADS-B In through a Bluetooth-compatible device using Garmin’s Flight Stream wireless platform.

 


“Honeywell-equipped aircraft operators have been asking for a much more cost-effective ADS-B solution,” said Conrad Theisen, Elliott’s director of avionics sales. “This fully integrated solution not only saves the operator 40 percent or more, but it also gives them a $50,000 credit toward a future Garmin G5000 installation, if they choose to upgrade their aircraft when the G5000 is available.”

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.

Elliott Nears Citation Excel/XLS STC for Low-cost ADS-B

Intended for the Cessna Citation Excel and XLS, the STC, once approved, will be applicable to a variety of Primus radio package equipped aircraft.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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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.

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40,000-sq-ft hangar allows company to expand aircraft maintenance services

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News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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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Cessna Citation 560XL, Excel, XL, XLS, and Ascend

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Cessna

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