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

Mexico’s Civil Aviation Authority (AFAC) this week implemented a ramp inspection program for business aircraft that will last until January 15. According to Universal Aviation Mexico, the program is intended to ensure compliance with operational safety procedures within the country.
The comprehensive inspection will apply to all aircraft operations—international and domestic flights, scheduled and nonscheduled flights, cargo operations, and commercial aircraft.
At the time of inspection, original documents (not copies) for the aircraft and crew must be on hand, including landing permits; current aircraft registration and airworthiness certificates—for U.S.-registered aircraft, AFAC will verify documentation with the FAA; crew licenses with appropriate ratings; current medical certificates; insurance policies; maintenance logbooks; minimum equipment lists; noise certificates; weight and balance sheets; radio certificates; and flight manuals.
Universal Aviation noted that noncompliance may result in the detention of the aircraft and/or monetary fines for incomplete or expired documents. Final decisions on penalties will be at the discretion of the inspecting officer.
The global trip support provider advises a full review of documentation before departure to ensure that all are current. Crewmembers should be briefed on the requirements and they should expect to factor in time on the ground to allow for the ramp inspections.

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 Institutes New Ramp Inspections

Enhanced vigilance will last until mid-January

Universal Aviation Mexico warns business aircraft operators of a comprehensive government documentation inspection program.

Mexico’s AFAC Ramps Up Ramp Inspections

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Robert Sancetta

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.

If a pilot has to ask, they probably should stay grounded for now

AINsight: Could You Be Too Sick to Fly?

AmyWilder

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.

Coalition questions Ligado’s device availability claims 

NBAA, Others Push FCC To Probe Ligado Compliance Claims

Matt Thurber

News and information about crew, passenger, aircraft and airport security issues.

Participants' information is no longer subject to Freedom of Information Act requests

FAA Updates ADS-B Privacy ICAO Address Program

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

But new color vision testing will still go into effect January 1

FAA Delays Aeromed Certification Policy Change

Kerry Lynch

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.

More In Regulations and Government

AINsight: Could You Be Too Sick to Fly?

If a pilot has to ask, they probably should stay grounded for now

NBAA, Others Push FCC To Probe Ligado Compliance Claims

Coalition questions Ligado’s device availability claims

FAA Updates ADS-B Privacy ICAO Address Program

Participants' information is no longer subject to Freedom of Information Act requests

FAA Delays Aeromed Certification Policy Change

But new color vision testing will still go into effect January 1

Graves Set To Continue as House Transportation Chair

A pilot, Graves is active in general aviation

Former Bizjet Escrow Exec Sentenced in Drug Scheme

Judge gives sentence of 16 years in federal prison

NBAA: Be Prepared for Ownership Reporting Requirements

Legal experts caution that further court action could be ahead

Honeywell Board Examines Separation of Aerospace Unit

Honeywell plans updates on aerospace decision by Q4 2024

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN