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

Longtime Textron Aviation executive Brad Thress was named&nbsp;president and CEO of FlightSafety International, succeeding David Davenport&nbsp;who left the company he had been a part of since 1996.

 


Thress did not remain idle for long, following the announcement of <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2020-02-14/textron-shuffles-senior-vps-after-thress-retirement">his retirement from Textron</a> earlier this month. He spent 27 years with the airframer, holding leadership roles in several areas including engineering and customer service, with his last title there senior v-p of parts, programs, and flight operations. He also served as Cessna’s senior v-p of business jets.

 


“I am honored to join FlightSafety International and look forward to leading this exceptional company,” Thress said. “FlightSafety is known for enhancing aviation safety around the world by providing the highest quality training programs and products, thanks to its outstanding teammates.”

 


The flight training provider operates training facilities in the U.S., Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Hong Kong, India, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, and the UK, with its instructors offering more than 1.4 million hours of instruction a year to pilots, technicians, and other aviation professionals.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

Former Textron Executive Thress Lands at FlightSafety

Longtime Textron executive Brad Thress has joined FlightSafety International as president and CEO.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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.

People in Aviation - October 2025

AIN Staff

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.

Individuals highlighted in AIN’s annual product support survey for aircraft, avionics, and engines who went above and beyond their call of duty.

Above & Beyond Product Support Surveys 2025

Hanneke Weitering

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.

Company announces expansions to facilities in Virginia and Switzerland

Electra’s Footprint Grows as Hybrid ‘Ultra Short’ Aircraft Gains Momentum

Amy Wilder

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.

Program was launched in 2022 to connect aspiring aviators with professional mentors

WAI-SG Celebrates 100 Mentee Graduates at Gala Event

Sheryl Barden

Julie Clark and “Fig” Newton share insights for aviation’s next generation

AINsight: Leadership Lessons from Aviation Hall of Famers

Kerry Lynch

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.

Program will help Yingling keep up with growth

Yingling Debuts Maintenance Apprenticeship Program

Event includes STEM activities, the opportunity to meet aviation pros, and aircraft displays

Girls in Aviation Day Returns to Fargo Air Museum

Charles Alcock

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

More In Training and Workforce

People in Aviation - October 2025

People in Aviation - October 2025

Above & Beyond Product Support Surveys 2025

Individuals highlighted in AIN’s annual product support survey for aircraft, avionics, and engines who went above and beyond their call of duty.

Electra’s Footprint Grows as Hybrid ‘Ultra Short’ Aircraft Gains Momentum

Company announces expansions to facilities in Virginia and Switzerland

WAI-SG Celebrates 100 Mentee Graduates at Gala Event

Program was launched in 2022 to connect aspiring aviators with professional mentors

AINsight: Leadership Lessons from Aviation Hall of Famers

Julie Clark and “Fig” Newton share insights for aviation’s next generation

Yingling Debuts Maintenance Apprenticeship Program

Program will help Yingling keep up with growth

Girls in Aviation Day Returns to Fargo Air Museum

Event includes STEM activities, the opportunity to meet aviation pros, and aircraft displays

Farnborough Airport Boosts Operations Training Course

20 places are available for the next course, which starts in November

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