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

Audio Authority is unveiling the newest version of its White Lightning ground power units (GPU) at this year’s EAA AirVenture. According to the manufacturer, the SmartGPU is the industry’s first connected GPU, equipped with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, allowing a pilot to remotely control the GPU and monitor the condition of the battery.
Visitors to the show can see the unit in operation at the Piper Aircraft booth, where it will power the Piper M700 Fury on display. It will energize the single-engine turboprop’s Garmin 3000 flight deck, external and internal lighting, ventilation, and other systems.
Initially, the Kentucky-based company will offer two models, with the 3200W 28114 model providing up to 114 amperes of 28VDC power to meet the increased power needs of turboprops and business jets. The 1500W 28054 model has the same features, but at 54 amperes it is tailored to smaller piston-powered aircraft.
Both units feature a 4-inch TFT color display that provides real-time digital output metering and operational information as well as USB ports for data downloads, firmware upgrades, and device charging. Available in the third quarter of the year, the 3200W unit will retail for $2,495, while its sibling carries a $1,595 price tag.
“With its unparalleled features and capabilities, the SmartGPU is poised to revolutionize ground power operations for aircraft of higher performance, weight, and speed,” said company founder and president Jon Sisk. “The ability to monitor and operate the GPU unit remotely gives aircraft owners peace-of-mind knowing that their aircraft and its battery are in optimal condition, ready to fly when they are.”

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

Audio Authority Debuts Industry-first Smart GPU at Oshkosh

The compact units offer Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity for remote monitoring

Audio Authority is unveiling the SmartGPU, the newest, smartest member of its White Lightning ground power unit family, at this year’s EAA AirVenture. 

Company Debuts Industry-first 'Smart' GPU at Oshkosh

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

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

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.

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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.

EAA AirVenture 2024

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