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

The FAA moved quickly to define “based aircraft” after exempting them in its order temporarily banning general aviation and nonscheduled commercial operations at 12 U.S. airports due to controller staffing issues. Based aircraft counts are also one of the data points used by the FAA to determine eligibility for inclusion in the National Plan of Integrated Airport System (NPIAS), which is a requirement to receive federal funds.
In a <a href="https://nbaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/20251111-FAA-Letter-Based-Aircraft-Definition.pdf">letter</a> issued Tuesday, the FAA listed four criteria that must be met to be considered based: the aircraft is based at a specific airport with an agreement for storage, spends more than six months a year at a specific airport, must be operational and capable of performing takeoffs and landings, and has a current FAA airworthiness certificate.
Expressly excluded from the criteria are through-the-fence agreements, which allow people who own property with aircraft storage facilities near an airport to access the airport from off-airport property. Aircraft that are stored off airport but are allowed to access airfield facilities via through-the-fence should not be reported as “based" at the airport, the FAA said.
According to the agency, accurate based aircraft information will help it in planning and forecasting the growth in the general aviation community, especially for runway approaches and other system-wide improvements. While important, the FAA noted that aircraft counts are rarely the sole criterion in its decision-making.

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 Wake of a General Aviation Ban Exemption, FAA Defines ‘Based Aircraft’

Based aircraft counts are also a factor in grant determination

The FAA has defined what makes an aircraft a based aircraft.

In Wake of GA Ban Exemption, FAA Defines ‘Based Aircraft’

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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.

NBAA is urging members to reach out to Congress as Modern Skies Coalition pens letter

Aviation Community Calls on Congress To Act on Funding

Amy Wilder

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

News and information about crew, passenger, aircraft and airport security issues.

Experts urge balance between transparency and privacy

Aircraft Registry Reforms Raise Transparency Concerns

Matt Thurber

Ban is expected to end as soon as the government shutdown is over

Notams Prohibit Nonscheduled Ops at 12 U.S. Airports

Panel urges unity across legal operators 

Bizav Experts Caution Against Illegal Jet-seat Selling

Aviation leaders stress safety and fair regulation

Tariffs, Safety, Fees Top CJI Regulatory Discussion

Charlotte Bailey

Commercial services could start in 2028 and expand internationally by 2029

Eve Air Mobility Eyes eVTOL Passenger Operations in Bahrain

Charles Alcock

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

Omar Hosari is co-founder and CEO of UAS International Trip Support

Bizav Executive Omar Hosari Leads Syrian Aviation Agency

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.

More In Regulations and Government