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

In response to three recent in-flight incidents that&nbsp;resulted in the grounding of the Cirrus SF50 fleet, the FAA has published a <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/06/17/2019-12622/airworthiness-directives-cirrus-design-corporation">new airworthiness directive</a> for the Cirrus SF50 light jet, reinforcing <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2019-04-19/faa-grounds-cirrus-sf50-jet-over-aoa-vane-issue">the emergency AD issued in Apri</a><a href="mailto:https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2019-04-19/faa-grounds-cirrus-sf50-jet-over-aoa-vane-issue">l</a>.

 


To address the instances of engagement of the single-engine jet’s stall warning and protection system (SWPS) and/or the electronic stability and protection (ESP), even in cases when sufficient airspeed and proper angle of attack (AOA) existed for normal flight, the AD reiterates the agency’s mandated replacement of its AOA sensors with improved AOA sensors.

 


The airframer and AOA sensor manufacturer Aerosonic identified the probable root cause of the problem as an AOA sensor malfunction due to “a quality escape in the assembly of the AoA sensor [part number 4677-03] at Aerosonic.” Cirrus issued a <a href="http://servicecenters.cirrusdesign.com/tech_pubs/sf50/pdf/SB/SF5XBulletins/SB5X-34-03/SB5X-34-03.pdf">service bulletin</a> with instructions for replacing the suspect sensor.

 


As the agency found that the condition presented an immediate danger to pilots and passengers of the jet when it issued the emergency AD, it waived the usual notice and comment period. As the conditions still exist, the FAA adopted the new AD without prior opportunity for public comment, but for those wishing to do so, any such comments must be received by August 1.

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.

FAA Publishes Cirrus Vision Jet AD

The new document reinforces the emergency AD issued in April after several incidents of improper activation of flight protection systems in the light jet.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

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.

NATA is advising FBOs to coordinate with operators on changes

TSA Finalizes Security Updates for Part 380 Operations

Duffy served in the House from 2011 to 2019 as a Republican representing a district in Wisconsin

Sean Duffy Receives Bipartisan Support for Top DOT Post

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.

VFR and UAS operations suspended, special rules and ASOC coordination in place January 20

FAA Issuing Temporary Flight Restrictions for Inauguration

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

NBAA urged quick confirmation

Senate Panel To Hold Duffy Hearing for Top DOT Post

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.

Noncompliance could result in steep fines

New UK ETA Rules Mean Compliance Changes for Operators

Agency needs more time to go live with online portal for U.S. agent of service designation

FAA Delays U.S. Agent Deadline for Foreign Entities

Matt Thurber

Protecting tribal lands and practices is a goal of the air tour management plan

FAA and Park Service Ending Canyon de Chelly Air Tours

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