Curt Epstein
Senior Editor

A lifelong aviation enthusiast who joined AIN in 2007, Curt came to the publication 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 AIN sister publication 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  Aviation Journalist Award in 2012 and won a Pegasus Sapphire Business Aviation Award for outstanding journalism in 2021.

Before joining AIN, Curt worked with 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.

Latest from Curt Epstein

Environment

Fuel and Farm Groups Urge Speedy Resolve on SAF Tax Credits

At issue is the eligibility of ethanol-based fuel to receive federal tax incentives
Cornfield with ethanol refinery
FBOs

Avflight Adds Mississippi FBO to Network

The Avfuel-affiliated company notches its second FBO in the Magnolia State
The newest addition to the Avflight FBO network is KPIB
Training and Workforce

South Florida Women in Aviation Group Takes Off

Girls in Aviation Days and a new scholarship fund highlight its first-year achievements
soFLY Women in Aviation chapter members
Maintenance and Modifications

PWI Earns Approval for Lear 35/36 LED Cabin Lighting

The systems require no modifications for use on the light jets
PWI cabin interior LED lighting strip
Security

TFRs Ramping Up Alongside Presidential Election Campaigns

A midweek campaign visit by President Joe Biden will cause general aviation restrictions at Dallas airports
Air Force One
Environment

High Cost and Limited Feedstock Slow Global SAF Production

Estimates call for 50 million tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel annually by 2030
Flasks of sustainable aviation fuel
Aircraft

Embraer Sees Strong Growth, Rising Backlogs

Despite supply chain issues, the OEM delivered the most bizjets in 7 years
Embraer Phenom 300s on assembly line
Training and Workforce

NBAA's SDC Show Drives Stampede to Fort Worth

35th-anniversary show attracts more than 3,300 attendees, highlights new products and services
SDC attendees pack education session in Fort Worth
Safety

Ground Handling Standard Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Since its launch in 2014, more than 300 companies have participated in the voluntary safety program
IS-BAH program director Terry Yeomans
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

NBAA Chief: Business Aviation Under Attack

Urges community outreach to oppose proposed measures
NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

Argus, Mosaix Sign Flight Software Integration Deal

The two companies will link their respective TraqPak and Avman platforms
Mosaix's  David Castaldo and Travis Kuhn of Argus
Training and Workforce

Sterling Is First Argus-certified Training Provider

Calgary, Canada-based company specializes in flight attendant training
Sterling Aviation leadership accepts award from Argus v-p Ed Wandall
FBOs

Signature Aviation Unveils New Branding at S&D Show

The company is retiring the Signature Flight Support brand in favor of Signature Aviation
Signature Aviation's Las Vegas FBO with new branding
Environment

Avfuel, Neste Ink SAF Supply Increase Extension

Deal triples the supply of SAF Avfuel will receive and distribute
Avfuel refueler with Neste branding
FBOs

AEG 'Connects' with Two Members in Its Branded Network

The additions include the network's first European member
Corporate Air, a service provider at Florida's Vero Beach Regional Airport
FBOs

ABSG Forecasts Flat FBO Fuel Sales in 2024

Many service providers reported declines in 2023
close-up of refueling nozzle into wing
FBOs

FBO Partners Launches Hangar Occupancy Inventory Tool

The system is anticipated to augment and enhance an FBO's hangar lease revenues
Screen shot showing HangarIT functionality
Safety

Desert Jet Earns Charter Industry's Highest Safety Ratings

Fewer than one percent of operators have Wyvern's Wingman Pro, Argus Platinum and IS-BAO Stage 3 ratings concurrently
Desert Jet Fleet on company's ramp in Palm Springs, California
Rotorcraft

35th and Final Heli-Expo Sets Record Attendance Mark

The show will be rebranded starting next year
crowded show floor at Heli-Expo 2024
Engines

Million Air Burbank Adds UL94 to Menu

With legislators angling for a ban on leaded aviation fuel, FBOs are starting to take notice
Million Air Burbank's new UL94 tanker
FBOs

Azure Flight Support in Tune with Music City Flight Traffic

Azure Flight Support brings more than 40 years of FBO experience to its Smyrna Airport facility
Azure Flight Support facility at KMQY
Maintenance and Modifications

South African Helo Operator First To Receive New GE Rotor Diagnostic

Johannesburg-based Henley Air will implement RADS-NG over the next few weeks
Henley Air, South Africa
Rotorcraft

Preowned Twin-engine Market Saw Fewer Sales but Higher Prices in 2023

Aero Asset's annual report noted geographic shifts as well
Hillsboro Aviation's H145 at HAI Heli-Expo 2024
Training and Workforce

JSfirm Reaches 50th Partner Plateau

The online employment website celebrates its 25th anniversary this year
JS Firm at Heli-Expo 2024
Rotorcraft

After Change in Operators, Irish Coast Guard Unveils New Livery

Bristow Ireland will take over operation of the service's AW189 fleet
Irish Coast Guard AW189
Rotorcraft

HEMS Segment Highlighted at Heli-Expo 2024

Several factors weigh on the selection of an EMS helicopters platform
Leonardo AW169 on display at Heli-Expo 2024
Rotorcraft

Milestone Adds Another AW139 Lessee to Roster

Norway-based Lufttransport will lease two of the medium twins starting in 2025
Leonardo AW139
Safety

German HEMS Provider To Adopt Stretcher Loading System

Move will make DRF Luftrettung the first in Europe to use the Powered Aero Loader
HeliMods Powered Aero Loader for stretchers
Maintenance and Modifications

Recoil Aerospace Awaits Firefighting System STC

The company calls its T1000-E system a game changer
Recoil Aerospace's T1000-E Wildfire Supression System
Rotorcraft

Schweizer Looks to Future, Continues To Rebuild

With new manufacturing certifications in place, the OEM looks to ramp up production and support
Artist rendering of the Schweizer S444