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

Greene Tweed believes it has solved one of the biggest hurdles in the widespread adoption of 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF): gasket and seal leakage. This problem arises due to the lack of aromatic compounds in neat SAF, which are necessary in legacy aircraft fuel systems for the proper function of synthetic rubber (nitrile) gaskets and seals in preventing leakage.
“Since there may be nitrile seals in both the legacy aircraft fuel systems (and in the refueling systems) that have been exposed to aromatic-containing jet fuel, any ‘drop-in’ SAF will still need to be blended with aromatic containing fuels,” said Ronald Campbell, senior technical advisor for Pennsylvania-based materials developer Greene Tweed.
According to the company, a recent study proves its elastomer seals made from FKM—a fluorinated, carbon-based synthetic rubber first developed in the 1950s for its ability to withstand high temperatures—could address that situation.&nbsp;Testing protocol simulated extreme aerospace environments, with temperatures up to 248 degrees F (120 degrees C) and prolonged exposure to SAF, both neat and blended.
“All three of our FKM compounds show consistent and acceptable swell and hardness change in the three straight 100% [SAF] fuels tested,” Campbell told AIN, citing the results of a recent test study. “Our findings therefore suggest that these compounds—and FKM compounds in general—do not require the fuel to contain an aromatic content.”

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

Greene Tweed Says New Seals and Gaskets Are Impervious to SAF

Nitrile seals can leak when exposed to 100% SAF

A Pennsylvania company has developed a product that could help ease the acceptance of pure sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), when supplies permit.

Company Says New Seals, Gaskets Are Impervious to SAF

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

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 international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Engine maker will help Indian carrier start its own MRO shop

IndiGo Orders 1,000 CFM Leap Engines for A320neos

Jessica Reed

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.

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

One flight test lasted more than two hours

GE, NASA, Beta, Boeing Conduct High-altitude Hybrid Flight

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.

Agreements cover PW1500/1900 turbofans and F-135 components

GKN Expands Partnerships with Pratt & Whitney

Matt Thurber

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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