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

Tri-State Aero, the lone FBO operator at Indiana’s Evansville Regional Airport (KEVV) for more than six decades, has just undergone a variety of changes with the arrival of its new terminal, a company rebranding, and a new fuel provider.&nbsp;United Companies, a long-time tenant of the FBO, purchased it in 2022 and finally changed its name to United Companies Air Center as it moved into its new complex.
“We love our community and have long admired the way Tri-State Aero has served it as a hub of connectivity for more than half a century,” said Doug Petitt, executive v-p of United Companies, and president of the FBO. “When we heard the previous owners were looking to sell the business, we jumped at the opportunity.”
He noted that United’s purchase of the FBO enabled it to remain under local ownership and made it possible to preserve the small, customer-oriented details that made it a successful independently-run operation.
Construction began on the 10,000-sq-ft general aviation terminal in early 2023. Built by the airport, the two-story, glass-sheathed building features an airy double-height passenger lobby with a refreshment bar; crew suite with lounge, two snooze rooms, and dedicated shower facilities; two conference rooms seating eight and 20, respectively; flight-planning area; crew car and onsite car rental; and hotel within walking distance.
Next week, the company will welcome a new 12,000-sq-ft hangar with 3,500 sq ft of office space capable of sheltering the latest ultra-long-range business jets. It will complement the complex’s existing 100,000 sq ft of heated hangar space, which can accommodate up to super-midsize jets.
United also acquired Tri-State’s aircraft maintenance business, which specializes in Beechcraft, Cirrus, and Piper products.
As of this week, the location is now the newest in the Avfuel-branded dealer network, offering contract fuel and participating in the company’s Avtrip customer loyalty program.

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

Rebranded Indiana FBO Opens New General Aviation Terminal

Lone provider at Evansville Regional Airport changes names and facilities after six decades

Tri-State Aero, the lone FBO operator at Indiana’s Evansville Regional Airport for more than six decades, has undergone a company rebranding and other changes.

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