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

PrimeFlight Aviation Services, which offers ground service equipment (GSE) maintenance and other services such as ground handling, deicing, and into-plane fueling through its subsidiaries, has acquired London-based Airbase GSE. This will now give the Sugar Land, Texas company a global footprint.
With more than three decades of experience, Airbase GSE offers unit load device (ULD) air cargo container and aircraft cabin repair services at London Heathrow Airport and at Frankfurt Airport in Germany.
“Airbase GSE was founded upon providing the very best levels of customer service and quality to our customers,” said Airbase CEO Nick Payne, who will continue to manage the business following the transaction. “I feel confident that under PrimeFlight’s ownership, our team will grow with that same focus, leveraging best practices to deliver market-leading service and quality.”
PrimeFlight’s companies include Skytanking, PrimeFlight GSE Maintenance, PrimeFlight Cargo, Prime Appearance, and Garsite. Airbase GSE will continue to operate under its current brand during the integration process but will ultimately rebrand as PrimeFlight.
“With one of the industry’s largest GSE maintenance networks already established throughout North America, as well as ULD maintenance support across the U.S., this acquisition allows us to expand that footprint into Europe,” explained PrimeFlight president and CEO Dan Bucaro. “Airbase GSE’s established customer base and focus on service quality makes it the perfect strategic fit for PrimeFlight.”

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.

PrimeFlight Aviation Services Buys European GSE Company

The purchase gives PrimeFlight its first business outside North America

Texas-based PrimeFlight Aviation Services has expanded its footprint across the Atlantic with its purchase of Airbase GSE.

Acquisition Gives PrimeFlight Services European Option

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.

Established in 2022, Plane Place Aviation’s business has already outgrown its facility

Texas Repair Center Expands to Larger Hangar

AmyWilder

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

Macon-Bibb’s new aviation facility supports aircraft conversions, expects 50 employees by end of 2025

Slate Aviation Opens 80,000-sq-ft MRO Facility in Georgia

Fly Across MRO to service models including Phenom, Praetor, and Legacy models

Embraer Expands Authorized MRO Network in Mexico

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.

French manufacturer approves Daxing maintenance base as authorized service center for Falcons

Dassault Expands ExecuJet Haite’s Falcon Support in China 

Matt Thurber

Company's new MRO facility at Beijing Daxing Airport is already filling up

ExecuJet Haite Extends MRO Client Outreach at BAAFEx Show

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

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.

Approval covers line and base maintenance work on multiple business aircraft

ExecuJet Haite’s Daxing MRO Awarded Part 145 Approval 

The company inaugurated its first purpose-built maintenance facility late last year

Fargo Jet Center Eyes Growth with New MRO Facility

Jessica Reed

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.

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