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

With the Covid pandemic causing drastic disruptions in air travel, ground service providers have felt the impact, particularly in Europe, leading some of those businesses to scale down or cease operations entirely. As a result, <a href="https://www.easa.europa.eu/newsroom-and-events/news/provision-ground-handling-services-aerodromes-following-covid-19-outbreak">EASA has issued a&nbsp;Safety Information B</a><a href="http://www.easa.europa.eu/newsroom-and-events/news/provision-ground-handling-services-aerodromes-following-covid-19-outbreak">ulletin</a> with recommendations for airport operators to ensure the safety and regularity of services.

 


In cases where the ground handler has ceased services or where certain services are no longer available, this should be communicated to aircraft operators by all means possible, including Notams. They should liaise with the national aviation authority to ensure the continuity of service with regard to the expected traffic demand&nbsp;and coordinate with the service provider on a return-to-service plan.

 


Unused or inoperable ground service equipment should be removed from areas that affect flight operations and aircraft servicing, and service providers should check all such equipment before it is returned to service. Use of equipment and vehicles by those who do not have proper apron driving authorization should not be permitted, and any personnel who are allowed unescorted access to the apron should receive refresher training in regard to safety and operational procedures, as well as be briefed on any new modifications.

 


Airports are also encouraged to work with their ground handlers to ensure the establishment of staff well-being programs.

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.

EASA Issues Covid-19 Op Recommendations for Airports

With many ground service providers seeing cutbacks in service resulting from Covid, EASA has issued recommendations to airports to ensure safety.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

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.

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.

Duffy served in Congress from 2011 to 2019

Former Rep. Duffy Selected for Transportation Secretary

AmyWilder

Operators push for simpler fatigue-management rules

Canada’s Flight and Duty Time Regulations under Scrutiny

Thune formerly chaired the Commerce Committee and is well versed in aviation issues

Thune Move to Senate Majority Leader Draws Bizav Praise

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.

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

Inflight refueling aircraft slated for first autonomous flight in 2025

USAF Approves Merlin's Airworthiness Plan for Autonomous KC-135

Tax issues among first anticipated on Capitol Hill's plate next year

Washington To See New Aviation Leaders in Next Congress

Tariffs, Schedule F, sustainability, audits all possible changes

New White House Sets Stage for New Aviation Policy

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

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.

Report identifies vulnerabilities in labor, materials, and infrastructure

Task Force Details Aerospace Supply-chain Weaknesses

Charles Alcock

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

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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