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

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) producer Montana Renewables has reached a milestone with the commissioning of onsite blending and shipping facilities at its refinery in Great Falls, Montana. As a result, the Calumet subsidiary is now offering a 50% SAF blend known as MaxSAF, the highest ratio currently allowed under ASTM standards.
While <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-10-20/honda-aircraft-completes-autoland-tia-tests-saf-flight">recent tests</a> have proven that modern aircraft can operate on 100% SAF without concern, the fuel systems in older, legacy aircraft benefit from the aromatic compounds present in conventional jet fuel to form tight gasket seals; hence, the SAF blend is currently capped at 50%. The most commonly available blend ratio on the market is 30% SAF, which accounts for an approximate 25% reduction in life cycle CO2 emissions, compared to jet-A.
“The blend ratio is purely a function of economics and the blending qualities of the available jet fuel,” said Michael Wojciechowski, Montana Renewables director of strategy and growth. “We happen to have favorable economics and jet fuel qualities that allow for this.” While he declined to discuss the actual pricing of the MaxSAF blend, Wojciechowski told AIN that the more concentrated the blend, the more cost-effective it usually is for the buyer in terms of environmental benefits and sustainability reporting.
At present, Montana Renewables is one of only three SAF producers with commercial-scale output in North America, and this first shipment of MaxSAF demonstrates its ability to move product from the loading rack to bring SAF to local and regional airports in addition to major airports. The fuel—with its SAF component produced from fats and oils—will initially be distributed via the AEG Fuels network to select markets in Montana, Washington, and Oregon.
“AEG Fuels is honored to collaborate with Montana Renewables on this landmark SAF inaugural blend,” said Landon Larson, AEG’s v-p of North America supply. “Together we’re demonstrating how strategic partnerships can accelerate the transition to sustainable aviation and deliver real value to operators across our fueling network.”

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

Montana Renewables Introduces 50% SAF Blend to Market

Company has added onsite blending capabilty at its Great Falls refinery

Montana Renewables is now offering the highest SAF blend ratio on the market.

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 sustainability solutions provider has helped customers fly greener

Half a Decade On, 4Air Notes Sustainability Milestones

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

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.

Airport believes positive reinforceement will make a quieter airport

Aspen/Pitkin Airport Doubles Down on Noise Reduction

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

Clay Lacy Aviation is the launch customer

SkyMark Unveils 7,000-gallon All-electric Refueler

Charles Alcock

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

Customers have the option to pay to offset environmental impact of flights

Priester and 4Air Offers Clients Carbon Offset Measures 

Company now provides SAF to 58 locations in the U.S. and Europe

Avfuel Walks the Sustainability Walk at BACE

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.

In this article

More In Environment

Half a Decade On, 4Air Notes Sustainability Milestones

The sustainability solutions provider has helped customers fly greener

Aspen/Pitkin Airport Doubles Down on Noise Reduction

Airport believes positive reinforceement will make a quieter airport

SkyMark Unveils 7,000-gallon All-electric Refueler

Clay Lacy Aviation is the launch customer

Priester and 4Air Offers Clients Carbon Offset Measures

Customers have the option to pay to offset environmental impact of flights

Avfuel Walks the Sustainability Walk at BACE

Company now provides SAF to 58 locations in the U.S. and Europe

Report Focuses on Aviation Contrail Climate Effects

Studies show an outsized impact from the exhaust cloud trails

Las Vegas Airports To Again Offer SAF for NBAA-BACE

The renewable fuel is crucial to bizav's sustainabilty asperations

Luxaviation Gets Emissions and SAF Support with Celeste

Azzera has integrated Celeste with the operator’s flight management system

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN