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

Avfuel will expand its distribution of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) across the Southeastern U.S, through a distribution agreement with Valero Marketing and Supply. The new multi-year deal—announced this week at NBAA-BACE—will greatly increase Avfuel’s volume and geographic access to SAF.
According to the Ann Arbor, Michigan-based company, it will make the SAF produced by Diamond Green Diesel—using used cooking oil, fats, and greases in the HEFA pathway— more accessible to its southwestern customers, with an emphasis on Florida business aviation operations to start. Avfuel is currently focused on establishing area logistics, with the first FBO delivery expected in the coming months. The SAF 30/70 SAF blend will reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by 24% compared to conventional fossil-based jet-A.
“We are thrilled to make this exciting announcement amongst our industry peers in Las Vegas, showcasing our dedication to innovation and environmental stewardship,” said Joel Hirst, the company’s s-v-p of sales. “This supply agreement exemplifies the proactive approach needed to meet the industry’s sustainability goals, providing a practical, scalable solution for operators looking to reduce emissions without compromising performance.”

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

Avfuel Announces New Sustainable Aviation Fuel Deal for Southeastern U.S.

Aviation fuel supplier expects to begin deliveries in the region shortly

A new supply deal will permit Avfuel to bring sustainable aviation fuel to its dealers at airports in the Southeastern U.S.

Avfuel Boosts SAF Supplies at Southeastern U.S. Airports

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

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Partners Trial Electric Air Services in Norway and Sweden

Charlotte Bailey

News, issues, personnel, equipment and developments about air traffic management.

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.

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North Atlantic Airspace-Scale Contrail Trial Underway

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Shift could come as the state's tax incentives change

Louisiana Could Supplant California as SAF Leader

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Cristofer Slotoroff

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.

NBAA-BACE 2024

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