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

With social media abuzz with the musings of a German soccer tourist visiting the U.S. on a trip for the FIFA World Cup, business aviation has noticed and weighed in.&nbsp;Known only as FreddyLA7 on X (formerly Twitter), he has improbably garnered the attention of followers and media across the country with his posts on his impressions of America on his road trip through the South since June 5.
Many have welcomed him as he made his way across the country with free experiences, including luxury hotel rooms, professional sports team visits, behind-the-scenes tours of NASA’s Houston facility and the Houston Police Headquarters, and more.
After hearing singer Ella Langley on the radio for the first time and posting about how he enjoyed her music, Freddy was invited to meet her at her concert tomorrow night in Oklahoma City. Seeing Freddy faced with a more than six-hour drive following the Portugal versus DR Congo match today in Houston, John Owen—CEO of Kansas-based charter provider Airshare—stepped in with an offer on Freddy’s feed to fly him and his two travel companions to Oklahoma City. Freddy graciously declined, stating, “Thanks very much for the nice offer, but we really want to drive to see a little bit more of Texas and also Oklahoma.”
Following that, noting that “no trip to the U.S. is legit without a trip to Las Vegas,” the Circa Resort offered to send its private jet to pick him and his friends up in Oklahoma City and fly them to Las Vegas to experience their outdoor FIFA pool/watch party. Freddy declined that overture as well, adding that the next stop in his odyssey is Toronto for Germany’s match versus the Ivory Coast on June 20.

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

Unexpected Social Media Phenom Gains Bizav Attention

The German World Cup tourist is being offered free flights

A social media phenom visiting the U.S. for the World Cup has attracted the attention of the private aviation industry.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

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 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 Jet Business will steer Flexjet fleet additions, subtractions

Flexjet Acquires The Jet Business, Names Varsano President

Matt Thurber

Race teams and fans took advantage of flights from four locations to turn two at the track

Sweet Helicopters Breaks Indy 500 Passenger Record

Charles Alcock

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

September 8 show will feature new hospitality pavilion

Tickets Go on Sale for 2026 Air Charter Expo 

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.

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