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

Work is progressing on the prototype of Embraer’s new midsize Legacy 500, and the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer says it is on schedule to fly the $18.4 million twinjet by year-end. The first aircraft will be receiving its wings “imminently,” according to the company, and the three fuselage sections on the second prototype were mated at the end of last month at Embraer’s plant in São José dos Campos. The Legacy 500 and its slightly smaller sibling, the Legacy 450, are clean-sheet designs that are intended to have 95 percent systems commonality. In addition to sharing the Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion cockpit, both twinjets will feature full fly-by-wire flight control systems, making them the only aircraft below the $50 million price bracket to offer such technology. The Legacy 500 is expected to have a 3,000-nm range with four passengers and 6,000-foot cabin altitude at its maximum altitude of 45,000 feet. Brazilian ANAC and FAA certification of the Legacy 500 is anticipated in the second half of next year, with the Model 450 to follow about a year later.

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.

Embraer Legacy 500 Is Ready for Wings 

Work is progressing on the prototype of Embraer’s new midsize Legacy 500, and the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer says it is on schedule to fly the $18.4 m

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

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.

The University of North Dakota is buying up to 188 new Piper aircraft for its pilot training program

Piper Signs Biggest-ever Order, Taps DeltaHawk Diesel

Hanneke Weitering

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.

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.

Assembly of the first 777-8F wing is underway at the airframer's Everett facility

Boeing Commences 777-8 Freighter Production

Charles Alcock

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

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.

The converted business jets will have electromagnetic attack capability

L3Harris To Equip Electronics Warfare G550s for Italy

Amy Wilder

Textron-led effort calls on volunteer pilots

Industry Rallies for 2026 Special Olympics Flights

Lessor of satellites and ground stations looks to emerging aviation tech

Space Leasing Group Orders 25 Beta Alia Electric Aircraft

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

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

California-based Aviate Enterprises has agreed to buy an unspecified number of the converted light aircraft

Stralis Signs Up U.S. Launch Customer for Hydrogen-powered Bonanza

Kerry Lynch

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.

Magellan provides an in-depth customized view of aircraft ownership costs

Jetcraft Partners with Aero Capital To Offer Magellan

Jessica Reed

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

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