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

Aerion Corp, developer of the AS2, which when completed would be the world’s first supersonic business jet, plans to certify the $120 million aircraft to be able run on pure biofuel, as well as the currently mandated jet-A blends that are seeing increasing use in commercial and business aviation.

 


According to the Business Aviation Guide to the Use of Sustainable Alternative Jet Fuel (SAJF), published last year by a consortium of industry organizations including GAMA, NATA, IBAC, NBAA and EBAA, the blend limits are to ensure the appropriate level of compatibility with the aircraft fueling systems, mainly due to ensuring a minimum level of aromatics, which are necessary to maintain the seals in the systems.

 


“From a technical standpoint, we don’t see any obstacles at this time,” said Gene Holloway, the airframer’s vice president for environmental responsibility. “The modern materials used in today’s seals do not require aromatics to promote proper sealing. Our engine, the GE Affinity, incorporates seals that allow for 100 percent biofuels.”

 


Holloway pointed out additional benefits from the use of pure biofuel including a significantly lower freezing point and higher energy density for improved operational efficiency and extended range. While the per gallon cost of biofuel is currently six times that of Jet A, Aerion expects that differential will drop considerably as production of (SAJF) ramps up.

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.

Aerion Plans For 100 Percent Biofuel on AS2

The manufacturer says its engine and fuel systems will be able to take any fuel blend up to 100 percent.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Airframer is on its way to meeting its delivery forecast following a record Q3

Embraer Executive Jets Sees Record YTD Deliveries

Kerry Lynch

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.

First flight has pushed into 2025

NASA X-59 Engine Run Clearing Path to First Flight

David G. Mayer

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.

More scrutiny is needed by buyers in back-to-back aircraft deals

AINsight: Due Diligence in Back-to-back Aircraft Transactions

Chad Trautvetter

All regions outside of Europe saw increases in flight activity during the month

Surprise North America Gain Boosts Bizav Flying in October

Jet shipments fell by one unit,  to 30, but revenues soared 12%

Bombardier Deliveries Dip in 3Q, but Revenues Jump

Charles Alcock

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

More In Aircraft

Embraer Executive Jets Sees Record YTD Deliveries

Airframer is on its way to meeting its delivery forecast following a record Q3

NASA X-59 Engine Run Clearing Path to First Flight

First flight has pushed into 2025

AINsight: Due Diligence in Back-to-back Aircraft Transactions

More scrutiny is needed by buyers in back-to-back aircraft deals

Surprise North America Gain Boosts Bizav Flying in October

All regions outside of Europe saw increases in flight activity during the month

Bombardier Deliveries Dip in 3Q, but Revenues Jump

Jet shipments fell by one unit, to 30, but revenues soared 12%

Draco Set to Breathe New Life Into Polish STOL Aircraft Design

Plan is based on modifications by U.S. entrepreneur/engineer Mike Patey

Pilatus PC-12 Fleet Takes Top Flying Honors in U.S.

PC-12 fleet logged 316,328 takeoffs in the U.S. between August 2023 and July 2024

CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL Prototype Starts Flight Testing in Germany

Technology is being deployed from across the European aerospace group for the program

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