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

Dassault Aviation (Booth 2001), updating&nbsp;the progress of its two new business jet programs on Monday at&nbsp;NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas, reported that it now has three Falcon 6X airframes flying two to three times a week that&nbsp;have collectively logged more than 300 hours over some 100 flights.

 


Dassault rolled out its&nbsp;large-cabin Falcon 6X in December, unveiling&nbsp;an aircraft that&nbsp;has the largest cross-section dimensions of any purpose-built business jet. The aircraft&nbsp;made its first flight in March and two more&nbsp;joined the program since then. “Our test pilots have given the 6X high marks for its excellent handling,” said company chairman and CEO Eric Trappier, adding they compare its maneuverability favorably to the company’s fighter jets. Transport Canada certification of its Pratt &amp; Whitney PW812D engine is expected by year-end.

 


Around that time, a fourth airframe—the first production 6X—will fly for the first time, according to Trappier. It will be delivered to Dassault’s Little Rock, Arkansas completion facility early next year to get a full interior installed. Trappier said that, upon completion, this aircraft will embark on a tour around the second quarter to demonstrate its performance capabilities at airports around the world.

 


"There is still considerable test activity to be completed, as in any test campaign," said Trappier. "But we can report at this point that we are achieving milestones at a pace that our test engineers are really happy with."

 


Entry-into-service for the 6X is expected late next year, and the OEM's product support organization is preparing for that event with spare parts on order for delivery to strategic locations around the world to ensure maximum support for flight departments from day one.

 


In a surprise move in May, the French airframer officially announced the launch of its new flagship—the ultra-long-range, high-speed 10X—which will be the largest business jet on the market when it enters service in 2025. Trappier noted that the project is moving along nicely with detailed design completed by year-end and parts production to commence in 2022.

 


At BACE, the company has full-scale mockups of both aircraft at its static display (#A207), along with an example of its current top-of-the-line Falcon 8X.

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.

Dassault's Falcon 6X Logs More Than 300 Hours

A fourth airframe will join the Dassault 6X flight test program by the end of the year, according to company chairman and CEO Eric Trappier.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Jessica Reed

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.

People in Aviation

People In Aviation

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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.

Next delivery for BACN program slated for 2025

Bombardier's USAF BACN Global Jet Deliveries Reach Eight

Milestone reached two years after the latest version entered service

Bombardier's Challenger 3500 Reaches 100th Delivery

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

Garmin's Autoland feature could save lives if a pilot becomes incapacitated 

Textron Cessna Citation CJ4, CJ3, and M2 Jets Updated to Gen3 with Garmin Autoland

Charles Alcock

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.

Hybrid-electric aircraft will operate in VTOL or STOL modes with range of up to around 544 nm

Manta Turns to China's Shenyang Aviation To Advance VTOL/STOL Aircraft

Sarah Rose

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

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.

Fastest single-engine aircraft in Piper’s history gets nods from EASA and other agencies

M700 Fury Racks Up Foreign Certifications

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.

NBAA-BACE 2021

More In Aircraft

People In Aviation

People in Aviation

Bombardier's USAF BACN Global Jet Deliveries Reach Eight

Next delivery for BACN program slated for 2025

Bombardier's Challenger 3500 Reaches 100th Delivery

Milestone reached two years after the latest version entered service

Textron Cessna Citation CJ4, CJ3, and M2 Jets Updated to Gen3 with Garmin Autoland

Garmin's Autoland feature could save lives if a pilot becomes incapacitated

Manta Turns to China's Shenyang Aviation To Advance VTOL/STOL Aircraft

Hybrid-electric aircraft will operate in VTOL or STOL modes with range of up to around 544 nm

M700 Fury Racks Up Foreign Certifications

Fastest single-engine aircraft in Piper’s history gets nods from EASA and other agencies

FAI Rent-a-jet Nominated for ITIJ Air Ambulance Award

Marks the operator's sixth nomination for the International Travel & Health Insurance Journal (ITIJ) Awards

Textron Aviation Ships 41 Bizjets in 3Q Despite Strike

Four-week strike will affect aircraft deliveries in the fourth quarter

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