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

Registration is now open for the National Air Transportation Association’s first annual Ground Handling Safety Symposium, to be held September 26 and 27 at the NTSB Training Center in Ashburn, Virginia. With a theme of “Building a Better Safety Management System,” the program is aimed at FBOs, MROs and anyone else who participates in the ground movement of aircraft in the general aviation industry. It will examine risk assessment and the practical aspects of promoting safety.


“Ground handling is an innately risk-based proposition,” noted Mike France, the organization’s managing director of safety and training. “Aircraft are designed to fly, and that’s where they’re at home. On the ground they’re particularly vulnerable to damage.” Service Elements International and Fireside Partners will host individual sessions on the intersection of service and safety and developing an emergency response plan, respectively.


In addition to service providers, France expects the agenda to be of interest to flight departments. “We’re getting more interest from aircraft operators who are spending more time thinking about what happens to their aircraft at an FBO,” he told AIN. “What should we be looking for when we’re choosing a ground handling provider at various airports?”


Cost of the symposium is $295 for NATA members and $370 for non-members.

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

NATA Launches Ground Handling Safety Symposium

Described as the first event of its kind, the two-day program will provide information of interest to anyone involved in the ground movements of aircraft

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 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.

More In FBOs

Colorado Airport To Receive Second FBO

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

Signature Teams With Eve to Assess eVTOL Ground Support

Several FBO groups are now collaborating with eVTOL aircraft developers

AviaVIP Expands into the Middle East and North Africa

AviaVIP continues to establish new FBOs across Europe

Jetex and Joby Install Electric Aircraft Chargers at FBOs

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

ExecuJet Opens Private Aviation Terminal at Dubai DWC

Three-floor facility includes a spa, multiple lounges, and a cocktail and cigar bar

FBO Chain Goes to the Dogs

The charity flight transported 22 dogs from overcrowded shelters

Jetex Set To Open Its First Saudi FBO at Red Sea Airport

Move could unlock several Saudi opportunities for business aviation support group

Gama Aviation Making Progress on New Sharjah FBO

Faciilty expected to open in mid-2025

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