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

Following its opening earlier this year as the Stobart Executive Jet Centre, the FBO at privately owned London Southend Airport will debut a new larger facility next month, along with the simplified name of Stobart Jet Centre. The dedicated, 6,000-sq-ft business aviation terminal with landside/airside vehicle access, replaces an area that was part of the old passenger terminal that was used for, among other things, general deliveries to the airport.

 


This new structure is part of a multi-million dollar investment project at the airport, according to its operators, and among its amenities are a passenger lounge with complimentary catering and business services; a private crew lounge with refreshments, TVs and computers; and competitive landing, parking and handling prices. The airport's location, 42 miles from the capital’s West End, sees six trains per hour at the nearby station for a 45-minute ride to the heart of London and 10-minute helicopter transfers.

 


The facility will operate 24 hours a day the entire year, except Christmas Day, with no slot restrictions. It also offers on-site immigration and customs service, with pre-clearance available to qualifying passengers, along with 100,000 sq ft of heated hangar space—enough to accommodate up to four BBJs simultaneously.

 


“Convenience, speed and comfort are absolutely vital to the business and private aviation market,” noted FBO managing director Stephen Grimes. “The Stobart Jet Centre will offer guests and pilots a smooth, premium experience because we can offer 24-hour availability and departure routes outside London’s crowded airspace.” He added that the company is confident that the destination will become a “refreshing, hassle-free alternative to London’s current, crowded private aviation terminals,” and expects to handle 5,000 flights annually by 2020.

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

London Southend Airport To Debut New FBO

The location at the privately-owned international airport boasts quick transfers to London along with competitive pricing.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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.

The former Kemp Jet Services marks 27 locations for the Avfuel sister company

Avflight Expands Network with Utah FBO Purchase

Company also operates a facility in nearby New Orleans

Alabama Airport Welcomes New FBO Operator

It will be the exclusive distributor for Dare to FLY

Banyan Pilot Shop Acquires Aviation Apparel Brand

The new Vantage Aviation location is expected to open in late 2026

Colorado Airport To Receive Second FBO

Charles Alcock

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 and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Several FBO groups are now collaborating with eVTOL aircraft developers

Signature Teams With Eve to Assess eVTOL Ground Support

Peter Shaw-Smith

AviaVIP continues to establish new FBOs across Europe

AviaVIP Expands into the Middle East and North Africa

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

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

Equipment will support eVTOL air taxi operations, starting at UAE airports

Jetex and Joby Install Electric Aircraft Chargers at FBOs

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

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