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

Aviation services provider Avflight has expanded the footprint of its network with the opening of an FBO at Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR). It becomes the second at the Grand Rapids gateway and the company’s 22nd location worldwide.

 


The five-acre, $7 million facility was <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2019-03-01/avflight-tapped-new-fbo-michigan">completed on schedule</a>, despite complications from the Covid-19 crisis. Located on the east side of the field, it consists of a 5,000-sq-ft terminal, which is open 24/7 and offers a passenger and pilot lounges, concierge services, and 1,650 sq ft of tenant office space, along with indoor car parking, and complimentary car washes. The adjoining 30,000-sq-ft hangar, which has 400-amp electric service, can accommodate aircraft up to a Gulfstream G650.

 


“We are thrilled to bring Avflight’s expertise and passion for aviation to GRR as a gateway to West Michigan,” said Garrett Hain, v-p of finance for the Avfuel-sister company that now operates seven FBOs in its home state. “The region is full of vibrant communities and is an epicenter for business, education, art, dining, entertainment, and tourism. Our investment reflects our long-term commitment to the airport and the services it provides.”

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

Avflight Expands Its Michigan Service Area

With the opening of its latest location at Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Michigan-based Avflight now operates seven FBOs in its home state. 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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

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.

Airport last owned the facility in the early 2000s

Illinois Airport Reacquires Sole Service Provider

The complex is viewed as the cornerstone of an aviation conglomerate

Major Las Vegas Hangar Complex Changes Hands

Projects totaled more than $5 million in infrastructure development

Oklahoma Airport Gets More Hangars, Upgraded Ramp

The facility will lean heavily towards sustainability

Clay Lacy Aviation Starts Construction on New KSNA FBO

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

More In FBOs

Illinois Airport Reacquires Sole Service Provider

Airport last owned the facility in the early 2000s

Major Las Vegas Hangar Complex Changes Hands

The complex is viewed as the cornerstone of an aviation conglomerate

Oklahoma Airport Gets More Hangars, Upgraded Ramp

Projects totaled more than $5 million in infrastructure development

Clay Lacy Aviation Starts Construction on New KSNA FBO

The facility will lean heavily towards sustainability

NATA Panel Examines FBO Preparation for eVTOL Service

OEMs and FBOs talk about how electric aircraft can be accommodated at FBOs

NATA Conference Panel Examines FBO Consolidation

While the big chains take a more selective approach, others remain hungry

Atlantic Aviation Gets Lease Renewal Approval in Aspen

The decision is the latest in a nearly two-year saga at the airport

Clay Lacy Aviation Gets Nod for Sun Valley FBO

Construction is expected to begin next year

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