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.

Business Aviation Services Editor

Curt Epstein

The leadership turmoil at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continues, as another board member was removed by the White House without notice.
J. Todd Inman was nominated by President Biden two years ago, as a Republican, to fill a vacant seat on the independent agency that is responsible for conducting investigations into aviation, maritime, railway, and roadway accidents. He was <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2024-04-09/brown-inman-round-out-safety-board-slate">confirmed</a> by the Senate on March 8 for a five-year term slated to end in 2029.
"On Friday, March 6, I received notice from the White House PPO that on behalf of Donald J. Trump, my position on the National Transportation Safety Board was terminated effective immediately,” Inman said in a statement. “To date, I have not received any reason for this termination.” His biography has been removed from the agency’s website.
“My thanks to staff and investigators at the NTSB, they are truly world-class,” Inman added. “My only hope is that the NTSB leadership and those who control it stay true to its roots and culture as the preeminent safety organization unimpeded by political or personal agendas.”
While NTSB board members typically serve fixed terms and are rarely removed before their term expires, this is the second instance of this occurring from this administration, following last year’s unexpected removal of NTSB vice chair Alvin Brown, whose term was set to expire at the end of 2026.
Brown’s <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-06-05/former-ntsb-vice-chair-brown-sues-reinstatement">lawsuit</a> against the administration to regain his position has yet to be resolved, but that did not prevent the Senate from voting in late February to <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2026-03-04/senate-confirms-deleeuw-ntsb-over-dem-objections">confirm</a> John DeLeeuw to fill out the remainder of Brown's term. The NTSB has not yet announced the swearing in of DeLeeuw, who brings deep aviation safety experience to the board.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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.

Another NTSB Board MemberPrematurely Dismissed Without Explanation

Amid legal action, this marks the second NTSB leader to be axed

The Trump administration has prematurely ended the term of another NTSB board member, even as a lawsuit filed last year by the first, Alton Brown, continues.

Another NTSB Board Member Prematurely Dismissed

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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 regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

The Japan Civil Aviation Bureau still needs to approve the means of compliance 

Japan Approves Certification Plan for SkyDrive SD-05 eVTOL

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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.

While not questioning qualifications, Cantwell expressed concerns that it was too soon to act on nomination

Senate Confirms DeLeeuw to NTSB over Dem Objections

Amy Wilder

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.

Resource compiles GA customs information for hundreds of airports

NBAA Adds Near-real-time Updates to Customs Tool

Charlotte Bailey

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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.

Regulator to publish an updated concept of operations within a year

Mandatory Electronic Conspicuity Inbound for UK GA/bizav

Some 650 aircraft were grounded when the FAA found that the SACI trust didn't meet citizenship requirements

FAA Grounding Places Spotlight on Trust Selection

Robert Sancetta

Anxiety of transitioning to a new AME can be eased by being prepared and proactive

AINsight: When Pilots Change Aviation Medical Examiners

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

More In Regulations and Government

Japan Approves Certification Plan for SkyDrive SD-05 eVTOL

The Japan Civil Aviation Bureau still needs to approve the means of compliance

Senate Confirms DeLeeuw to NTSB over Dem Objections

While not questioning qualifications, Cantwell expressed concerns that it was too soon to act on nomination

NBAA Adds Near-real-time Updates to Customs Tool

Resource compiles GA customs information for hundreds of airports

Mandatory Electronic Conspicuity Inbound for UK GA/bizav

Regulator to publish an updated concept of operations within a year

FAA Grounding Places Spotlight on Trust Selection

Some 650 aircraft were grounded when the FAA found that the SACI trust didn't meet citizenship requirements

AINsight: When Pilots Change Aviation Medical Examiners

Anxiety of transitioning to a new AME can be eased by being prepared and proactive

Eyes Turn to Alert Act after Rotor Act Fails in House

NTSB’s Homendy expressed disappointment with vote, but Graves said committee is moving ahead on Alert Act

Aircraft Exempt from New U.S. Tariffs, but Future Unclear

Rebate path uncertain, along with future tariff possibilities

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