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 Kansas City Aviation Department has awarded a lease for the final 20 acres of available, developable land at Kansas City Downtown Airport-Wheeler Field (KMKC) to Airside Innovation Missouri, which will build an FBO on the plot, making it the third full-service provider on the field.
A joint venture between industry consultancy Airside FBO and developer Eastside Innovation, the company will invest $55 million in the FBO complex. The facility will be operated by Kansas City-based Apex Aero Center, a chain of four locations headed by Airside FBO founder Kyle Eiserer, who&nbsp;has decades of experience at KMKC, starting with the former Hangar 10 FBO, which was later acquired by Atlantic Aviation.
The new facility will feature a 15,000-square-foot terminal and more than 150,000 square feet of hangar and office space. It will also host an expansion of the Red Tail Academy, a nonprofit organization focused on educating and mentoring underrepresented youth in aviation.
“Our experience and success at this airport and several other operations around the region, along with the great service we provide aviators and the strong relationships we maintain with our airport partners and leaders, is a testament to our selection for this exciting new project,” said Eiserer.
He expects to break ground on the project next year with the intention to open the newest Apex Aero facility in early to mid-2027.

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

Airside Set to Build Third FBO at Kansas City Downtown Airport

The Apex Aero Center is expected to open in the first half of 2027

The Kansas City Aviation Department has awarded the final developable plot of land at Kansas City Downtown Airport to a company that will add a new FBO there.

Kansas City Downtown Airport Set to Get Third FBO

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 climb from weekend customer service rep to FBO owner took two decades

Tucson Jet Center: A Family Affair in Arizona

Their quick response and training is credited for saving a life

California FBO’s Staff Recognized for Accident Response

Kerry Lynch

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.

Plans are to expand on the west coast and lure other Irish businesses

Alliance Aviation Eyes Growth in Saudi Arabia

Private hangar developer expects to open at KPDK in 2028

Sky Harbour Reaches 20th Hangar Complex Location

He grew the company into the largest privately-owned FBO network

Sheltair Founder Jerry Holland Passes at Age 90

Charles Alcock

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

The emirates government announced a partnership with Falcon

Ras Al Khaimah Airport to Get Private Aviation Complex

He leaves behind a wide legacy of aviation accomplishments

Accomplished Aviator and GA Advocate Pat Epps Flys West

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

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