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 holiday season underway, aviation companies are looking to make a difference in their community, sponsoring drives to help the less fortunate.
American Aero FTW, an FBO at Dallas-area Fort Worth Meacham International Airport (KFTW), is holding its 10th annual toy drive in partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. Through December 15, customers and airport guests are invited to stop by the FBO to drop off a new, unwrapped toy or make a financial contribution benefiting the program. Since it opened its doors a decade ago, the service provider has distributed more than 4,000 bikes and other gifts and collected more than $30,000 in donations.
“It is always exciting to see the toys and gifts pile up each year and know that we are helping to put smiles on the faces of children on Christmas morning,” said Angela Thurmond, the FBO’s general manager. “Our aviation community is extraordinarily generous, and their gifts will mean area families don’t have to make a choice between buying toys for their children or putting food on the table this holiday season.”
Florida-based FBO chain Sheltair has several locations conducting gift drives, including its corporate office at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, as well as its FBOs at Tampa International Airport (KTPA) and Albert Whitted Airport (KSPG) in St. Petersburg.
On December 12, the chain’s facility at Melbourne Orlando International Airport (KMLB) will host the annual <a href="https://zazzacommunity.org/projects/jingle-jet/">Jingle Jet</a> event in partnership with sponsoring companies and media. Organized by a local charitable foundation, 10 deserving area families are selected each year and, after a party in the terminal, are loaded aboard a short donated flight to “the North Pole” (a specially decorated Sheltair hangar) where they are greeted by Santa and Mrs. Claus and are given curated presents.

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

Many Aviation Companies Are Helping the Less Fortunate This Holiday Season

Toy and gift drives are aimed at providing seasonal cheer for the disadvantaged

With the holiday season underway, aviation companies are looking to make a difference in their community, sponsoring drives to help the less fortunate.

Aviation Companies Bring the Holiday Spirit

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.

In this article

Sheltair

More In FBOs

Universal Partners on Dominican Republic FBO Renovation

The project is expected to be completed by mid-year

Naples Jet Center in Florida Debuts New Terminal

The $15 million project will be completed with a new hangar later this year

Clay Lacy Aviation's New FBO Joins Paragon Network

Facilty at Waterbury-Oxford Airport is set for an April grand opening

FBO Special Event Fees on Tap for Super Bowl in New Orleans

For private aviation, the extra tariffs are now ingrained in the ‘Big Game’ experience

Freeman Jet Center FBO in Louisiana Undergoes Upgrade

The facility was renewed inside and out

Signature Institutes KTEB Reservation Mandate

Notice involves all transient aircraft movements at its four FBOs on the field

Odyssey Aviation U.S. Locations To Start New FBO Chain

The three locations will be the nucleus of a new service platform

Dallas FBO Completes Interior Renovation Project

Ambassador Jet Center gave its lobby a glow up

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN