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

Volato, which operates one of the world’s largest fleets of HondaJets, has now added the super-midsize Gulfstream G280 to its fractional ownership program fleet. Two years ago, the company announced its <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2022-09-15/volato-spreads-its-wings-gulfstream-g280-order">order</a> for a quartet of the twinjets, and it expects to take delivery of its first G280 next week.
To celebrate the aircraft's arrival and the expansion of the fleet to a higher weight class, the Atlanta-based operator will immediately take the G280—which seats up to 10 and has a range of up to 3,600 nm—on a tour for prospective buyers starting on August 9. It will begin in its hometown, followed by stops in Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, New York, and Houston on the following days. The company anticipates receiving a second G280 by the end of the year, with the remainder of the order expected to arrive in 2025.
“Our customers’ travel needs are diverse, and while the majority of private aviation missions are efficiently served by the HondaJet, there is significant demand for larger aircraft for longer journeys and bigger groups,” explained Volato CEO Matt Liotta. “The G280 addresses these needs, ensuring we continue to provide the right aircraft for every mission.”

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

Volato To Take Its First Fractional-share Gulfstream G280 on Tour

Fractional provider will celebrate with a national tour of the super-midsize twinjet

Fractional aircraft ownership provider Volato will move up to the midsize jet category with the delivery of its first Gulfstream G280.

Volato To Take Its First Frax G280 on Tour

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

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.

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.

Europe-based group is adding a pair of Bombardier Global 8000 jets, plus a 6500

Middle East and Africa Fuel Comlux’s Charter Growth

Matt Thurber

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.

Lack of rental engines is a focus of the complaint

ATI Jet Lawsuit Alleges Hourly Service Plan Setbacks

The Hong Kong-based operator now has almost 50 business aircraft

China’s Sino Jet Expands Charter Fleet with Second G700

Jessica Reed

Program launches with HondaJet HA-420 and Bombardier Challenger 3500

Honda Aircraft Unit Backs Thrive Fractional Jet Program

Amy Wilder

Elite Jets, MaxAir keep names, add Priester co-brand

Priester Aviation Unifies Companies under One Brand

Program lets non-members compare pricing before booking

BlueSky Extends Pricing Access to Non-members

Hourly rates range from turboprops to VIP airliners

Paramount Business Jets Guide Details 2026 Charter Rates

Kerry Lynch

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.

In this article

Volato

More In Charter & Fractional