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

Up-and-coming FBO chain Vantage Aviation has acquired <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2020-02-06/fbo-profile-monaco-air-duluth">Monaco Air</a>, the lone FBO at Minnesota’s Duluth International Airport (KDLH). A member of the World Fuel-sponsored Air Elite Network, the complex includes a 14,000-sq-ft terminal built in 2016 that also houses the airport’s U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
In addition, the terminal includes multiple passenger seating areas, pilot&nbsp;lounge, snooze rooms with full beds, showers, equipment and storage lockers, business center, a flight-planning area,&nbsp;fitness center, and&nbsp;two conference rooms with seating for 20 and eight, respectively. Amenities include crew cars and onsite car rentals.&nbsp;The location also includes 40,000 sq ft of hangar space that can handle aircraft up to a Falcon 900.
Since its launch in October, Vantage has acquired four FBOs, including <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-03-12/growing-fbo-chain-adds-two-south-carolina-locations">two</a> this month, and is developing a new facility at Colorado’s Rifle Garfield County Airport (KRIL).
“Monaco Air Duluth is a great addition to the Vantage Aviation Network, and germane to our strategy,” said Vantage founder and CEO Ryan Maxfield, adding that the location offers a full slate of aviation services.&nbsp;In addition to providing fuel and ground handling to general aviation aircraft, Monaco Air is an “above- and below-wing” air carrier partner, maintenance shop, and Part 141 flight training school.

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

Growing FBO Chain Vantage Aviation Adds Three Locations in Two Weeks

Launched in October, Vantage Aviation now numbers four facilities

Newly-launched FBO chain Vantage Aviation has purchased its third facility in a month at Minnesota’s Duluth International Airport.

Growing FBO Chain Adds Three Locations in Two Weeks

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Amy Wilder

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.

Each addition features location-specific tailored services

W Aviation, Gulf Aviation, Wilde Air Join AEG Connect

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.

Declining Part 91 and Part 135 flight activity is one of the root causes

FBO Market Survey Sees Fuel Sales Stagnating in 2024

The building replaces the old terminal, which was damaged by hurricanes in 2017

St. Thomas Execujet FBO Opens New Terminal in USVI

$50 million Phase 2 will add more of everything at KAUS

Million Air Breaks Ground on Major Austin FBO Expansion

The company made its debut last October

Growing FBO Chain Adds Two South Carolina Locations

The project gives the FBO more than five acres of ramp at Prescott

Cutter Aviation Expands KPRC Footprint

Charles Alcock

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

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.

More In FBOs

W Aviation, Gulf Aviation, Wilde Air Join AEG Connect

Each addition features location-specific tailored services

FBO Market Survey Sees Fuel Sales Stagnating in 2024

Declining Part 91 and Part 135 flight activity is one of the root causes

St. Thomas Execujet FBO Opens New Terminal in USVI

The building replaces the old terminal, which was damaged by hurricanes in 2017

Million Air Breaks Ground on Major Austin FBO Expansion

$50 million Phase 2 will add more of everything at KAUS

Growing FBO Chain Adds Two South Carolina Locations

The company made its debut last October

Cutter Aviation Expands KPRC Footprint

The project gives the FBO more than five acres of ramp at Prescott

Gama Promotes New Sharjah FBO for Long-haul Tech Stops

Expanded facility will open in the emirate later this year

Modern Aviation Wins Out at Charlotte Int’l Airport

Lone FBO at airfield was long operated by Wilson Air

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