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

Mexico’s civil aviation authority (AFAC) has discontinued its annual entry permit for private aviation, with aircraft operators and aircraft only able to obtain single-use permits.
According to Juan Muniz, lead global regulatory service specialist with trip support provider Universal Weather and Aviation, the single- and multiple-entry permits have been replaced with a single-entry authorization (AIU), which is valid for 180 days. It will be issued to the aircraft on arrival at the destination, but local authorities must still be provided with the flight, aircraft, and crew information ahead of time.
The AIU will allow multiple international flights during that span, and the original must be carried onboard the aircraft. Muniz noted that the required documents must now also include “the layout of passenger accommodations” from the aircraft manual.
This change resulted from modifications to the country’s civil aviation laws and removed the multiple entry permits in an attempt to crack down on illegal charters operating in Mexico.
To process an AIU typically takes 24 hours; however, Universal stated that on normal business days, it could obtain authorization with just a two-hour lead time. The company added that there is no limit on how many authorizations an operator can obtain.

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.

Mexico's Civil Aviation Authority Changes Private Aircraft Entry Process

The annual arrivals permit is no more

Mexico’s civil aviation authority (AFAC) has discontinued its annual entry permit for private aviation.

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News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

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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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