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

Banyan Air Service has inked a strategic agreement with HondaJet fractional ownership provider Volato that will see Banyan establish a new maintenance center for the light twinjet at Volato’s St. Augustine, Florida base.
“We are excited to open this new facility and have the opportunity to grow our existing MRO services,” said Charlie Amento, Banyan’s v-p and director of MRO services. "This will help us better serve our customers outside of South Florida and allow for additional employment opportunities.”
For Banyan—which is the authorized HondaJet dealer for the Southeast U.S. and operates an FAA Part 145 repair station at its 100-acre complex at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (KFXE)—this marks its first outward growth in its nearly 45-year history.&nbsp;Banyan agreed to a three-year sublease on a hangar at Volato’s Northeast Florida Regional Airport (KSGJ) facility and began integrating its services there on January 2.
The facility will concentrate on servicing the growing HondaJet fleet, which now numbers more than 250 aircraft. It will provide full-scale maintenance for Volato, one of the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2023-12-28/volato-expands-hondajet-fleet-50-percent-24-aircraft">world’s largest</a> fleet operators of the aircraft.
“Expanding into St. Augustine represents a major milestone for Banyan, marking our first venture beyond Fort Lauderdale,” said company president Don Campion. “We look forward to increasing regional accessibility by creating an additional authorized HondaJet maintenance center for operators throughout the region.”

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.

Banyan Opens North Florida HondaJet MRO At Volato Base

The deal represents Banyan's first expansion beyond Fort Lauderdale in its 45-year history

Banyan Air Service has inked a strategic agreement with HondaJet fractional ownership provider Volato, which will see Banyan's first expansion beyond Fort Lauderdale in its 45-year history.

Banyan Opens North Florida HondaJet MRO at Volato Base

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

AmyWilder

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.

CJ Aerospace to install the self-lubricating kits

Marsh Brothers Secures Australian Retrofit Deal

Charles Alcock

The Dubai International Airport facility already supports the PC-12

Pilatus Adds Jet Aviation Dubai As PC-24 Service Center

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

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

New EASA AOC gives easier access to the European Union

Gama Aviation Adds Maltese AOC and Mobile Service Team

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.

More In Maintenance and Modifications

Marsh Brothers Secures Australian Retrofit Deal

CJ Aerospace to install the self-lubricating kits

Pilatus Adds Jet Aviation Dubai As PC-24 Service Center

The Dubai International Airport facility already supports the PC-12

Gama Aviation Adds Maltese AOC and Mobile Service Team

New EASA AOC gives easier access to the European Union

UAE Approves Aero-Dienst as Maintenance Organization

CAR 145 certificate issue helps German MRO expand support for Gulf region operators

Comlux Opens Dubai Maintenance and Service Center

New facility spans 20,000 sq m at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub

ExecuJet Signs MOU for Local Paint Services at Satys

Middle East business aircraft operators won't have to fly to Europe for paint

Ronaldo is Thrilled with Happy Design Studio Jet Livery

Many private aircraft owners prefer to show off their distinct liveries

Aero-Dienst, AeroSource Team Up on MRO Growth in India

Partnership will seek to provide more support to growing fleet of business aircraft

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN