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

Clay Lacy Aviation has completed its first five installations of SpaceX’s Starlink low-earth-orbit satcom terminals in Gulfstream and Bombardier ultra-long-range business jets. In March, the California-based aviation services provider announced that it had become a <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-03-05/clay-lacy-aviation-adds-starlink-satcom-dealership">dealer</a> for the airborne connectivity platform, which offers download speeds of up to 220 Mbps and upload speeds up to 25 Mbps on its global network. The Starlink constellation—with more than 4,700 satellites in orbit—can support video calls, streaming, online gaming, and virtual private networks.
Among the first aircraft installations at the company’s MRO facilities at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) and Waterbury–Oxford Airport (KOXC) in Connecticut were a trio of Gulfstream G550s, a G650ER, and a Bombardier Global 6000.
Also supported among the STCs are installs on the Gulfstream G450 and GV, as well as the Bombardier Global 6500/7500, Express, and XRS. By the end of the year, the company expects to add the Bombardier Challenger 300/350/3500 and Global 5000; Gulfstream IV; Embraer Legacy 600/650, Praetor 500/600, and Phenom 300, among others.
“There has been high demand for this transformative, connectivity technology,” explained Edward Diaz, Clay Lacy’s avionics operations and sales manager. “Our team is moving quickly to provide low-downtime, expertly completed installations so that owners and operators can get the most out of their aircraft.”

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.

Clay Lacy Completes First Five Starlink Installs

Work performed at its locations on both sides of the U.S.

Clay Lacy Aviation is now installing the SpaceX Starlink in-flight connectivity platform on both sides of the U.S.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

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.

Company offers customized cabins for large VVIP aircraft

Greenpoint Highlights Oasis and AeroSuite Interiors

Charles Alcock

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.

The specialist engineering group is expanding its portfolio for business and VIP aircraft

AMAC Offers Starlink Comms and Missile Defense Systems

Jet Aviation also now offers Jet Card charter program in the EMEA region

Jet Aviation and Creston Team For IFE and Cabin Management

Peter Shaw-Smith

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 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.

In this article

Clay Lacy Aviation

SpaceX

More In Cabin Interior and Electronics

Greenpoint Highlights Oasis and AeroSuite Interiors

Company offers customized cabins for large VVIP aircraft

AMAC Offers Starlink Comms and Missile Defense Systems

The specialist engineering group is expanding its portfolio for business and VIP aircraft

Jet Aviation and Creston Team For IFE and Cabin Management

Jet Aviation also now offers Jet Card charter program in the EMEA region

Middle East Is Hallowed Ground for Lufthansa Technik’s VIP Unit

Widebody aircraft predominate in the region

Satcom Direct Buy Boosts Gogo into Orbit

Move opens new markets for airborne connectivity offerings

Gulfstream G800 Makes First Flight for Cabin Testing

Test aircraft reaches 46,000 feet

Innovation, Acquisitions Abound in Connectivity Market

Bizav users have more choices, although consolidation is taking place

Nextant Gains Starlink Approval for Global 5000/5500

STC expands the number of aircraft types approved for the high-speed satcom system

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