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

High costs and limited feedstock are the key hurdles in the path toward expanding global sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, according to a new report from the UK-based Energy Industries Council (EIC).
Despite SAF’s environmental benefits—which in its neat, unblended form can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80 percent compared with conventional jet fuel—the nascent industry today accounts for less than 1 percent of the total aviation fuel usage. With aviation’s stated ambitions of achieving net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, overcoming challenges such as feedstock access, attracting investment, and the need for governmental policies encouraging SAF production and adoption are crucial.
“While SAF has numerous environmental benefits, its adoption is not without challenges,” stated report author Nabil Ahmed, adding high production costs, two to four times that of traditional jet fuel, alongside the limited availability of scalable feedstocks, present significant hurdles. “With strategic initiatives and enhanced governmental support, including mandates and subsidy mechanisms, we can navigate these challenges effectively.”
According to the EIC report, substantial development is required for SAF to make a meaningful impact, even as countries such as the U.S., UK, Canada, and Japan have all set ambitious goals of 10 percent SAF blend by 2030. Based on more than 100 announced projects, total SAF production by that point could equal 50 million tonnes a year, but reaching that amount will require a strategic focus on feedstock availability and the development of additional SAF pathways.
"The innovative production of SAF, using resources ranging from agricultural waste to the pioneering 'efuels' generated from carbon capture and green hydrogen, is a clear indicator that the sector, with proper investment in this area, stands a clear chance to shift towards sustainability," said Ahmed.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

Report: High Cost and Limited Feedstock Hindering Global SAF Production

Estimates call for 50 million tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel annually by 2030

A report from the Energy Industries Council states that high cost and limited feedstock are the key hurdles to expanding sustainable aviation fuel production. 

High Cost and Limited Feedstock Slow Global SAF Production

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

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.

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.

Manufacturer says solar power is part of efforts to reduce environmental footprint 

Solar Panels Now Power Gulfstream’s Mesa Service Center

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 about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

Green Flyways initiative is considering the potential for MD Aircraft's eViator commuter

Partners Trial Electric Air Services in Norway and Sweden

Charlotte Bailey

News, issues, personnel, equipment and developments about air traffic management.

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.

UK’s ‘Operation Blue Skies’ to redirect commercial traffic in Shanwick airspace

North Atlantic Airspace-Scale Contrail Trial Underway

Emissions reduction indexes will help contrast economics with compliance mandates

Argus Releases Sustainable Aviation Fuel Evaluation Tool

Government-funded consortium to aims to connect remote communities 

Project SEAN Trials Electric Flights For Scotland

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

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.

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.

Shift could come as the state's tax incentives change

Louisiana Could Supplant California as SAF Leader

New three-year campaign will design, build, and fly wing extension devices

WoT? Experimental Elongated Airbus Wings To Fly Next Year

Cristofer Slotoroff

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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