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

Founded earlier this year, the Velocity FBO Network has expanded to four locations with the acquisition of the FBO assets of Havasu Air Center (HAC), the lone service provider at Arizona’s Lake Havasu City Airport (KHII).&nbsp;The facility features a 5,500-sq-ft terminal with a reception area, an eight-seat conference room, flight-planning room, pilot lounge and theater room, and aircraft arrivals canopy. It offers more than 100,000 sq ft of hangar space and four acres of ramp parking.
Under the terms of the agreement, HAC’s former owners will retain their aircraft management and maintenance operations under the Northstar Aviation Services name.
“Velocity was founded on a commitment to excellence, delivering a consistent standard of quality and exceptional experiences across our entire network,” said Velocity CEO Chad Farischon. “Havasu Air Center has built a reputation for outstanding service and operational safety, and we are committed to honoring that legacy while bringing our broader platform’s resources to bear.”
Velocity was formed from the three U.S. locations of the Odyssey FBO Network, which was <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-06-13/odyssey-aviaition-north-america-achieves-launch-velocity">purchased</a> and rebranded by private investment firm Tallvine Partners. “The acquisition of Havasu Air Center represents the fourth location in our growing network,” added Tallvine operating director Ed Zwirn. “We are executing on a focused strategy to build a best-in-class platform, and Lake Havasu is a natural fit.”

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

Fledgling Velocity FBO Network Adds Arizona Location—Havasu Air Center

Launched in June, Havasu Air Center presents its latest purchase

The fledgling Velocity FBO Network has expanded with the purchase of an Arizona service provider.

Fledgling Velocity FBO Network Adds Arizona Location

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.

The latest agreement is with Los Angeles-area Long Beach Airport

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Kerry Lynch

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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

Cope, Thoreck to receive NATA Industry Excellence Leadership Awards

NATA Honors Signature Managers for Leadership, Crisis Support

Sometimes there are moments of pure joy at NBAA-BACE.

Go Rentals Celebrates 30 Years with Jason Kidd at NBAA-BACE

Open house is slated for January in Napa Valley

Skyservice Opens Permanent FBO in California

Bizav Traffic at the city’s two airports is up 3% over 2024

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News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

Velocity FBO’s three locations are now branded AEG Connect

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

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.

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