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

Dutchess County in upstate New York has been working to develop its aviation industry. Centered around Hudson Valley Regional Airport (KPOU) with its 5,000-foot main runway, recent improvements include the opening of the Dutchess County Community College’s (DCCC) new $16 million, 31,000-sq-ft aviation education center on the field. The school’s aviation management program is the first of its kind to receive FAA certification in the past 50 years.
Earlier this year, at a nominal cost, DCCC obtained “Falcon One,” a former U.S. Air Force Gulfstream III that had carried Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, as well as served as the transport for Army General Norman Schwarzkopf during the Gulf War.
The aircraft—which has become the centerpiece of the school’s AMT training program—was restored through the help of local aircraft detailing specialist Automaxx+, other in-kind sponsors, and a team of volunteers. In the aircraft’s interior, the leather furnishings were reconditioned, while the exterior was cleaned and recoated.
“The coating is a very expensive process, costing tens of thousands of dollars, and we would not have been able to afford to do this without their support,” said Genna Suraci, coordinator of DCCC’s aviation maintenance program. “In my eyes, they’re saving a piece of history–polishing a gem and keeping it pristine.”

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

College Aviation Program Uses Former Presidential Transport for Training

Dutchess County Community College has acquired and restored the former USAF Gulfstream

As New York's Dutchess County looks to encourage the growth of its aerospace industry, a historic private jet—an Air Force One—could help future technicians.

New York College Receives 'Air Force One' for Training

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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

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

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.

Course is being offered through the local technology college

Farnborough Airport Launches Operations Training Program

AmyWilder

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.

Simulator offers advanced emergency training scenarios

One-G Simulation Launches Tarbes 8 Flight Simulator

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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.

Derek Zimmerman and Lor Izzard step into senior roles

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Managerial courage and emotional intelligence help create a culture where employees feel valued

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

NBAA-BACE 2023

More In Training and Workforce

Farnborough Airport Launches Operations Training Program

Course is being offered through the local technology college

One-G Simulation Launches Tarbes 8 Flight Simulator

Simulator offers advanced emergency training scenarios

Gulfstream Names Two New Leaders for Key Operations

Derek Zimmerman and Lor Izzard step into senior roles

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Managerial courage and emotional intelligence help create a culture where employees feel valued

CrewBlast Wallet Upgrades with AI and OCR Technology

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App now offers more than 50 courses

2025 NBAA Leadership Conference Keeps Focus on Professional Growth

Emphasis on "emotional intelligence"

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