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 has found the city of Santa Monica, California, in violation of grant assurances as it stockpiled surplus revenues generated by Santa Monica Municipal Airport (KSMO), which is scheduled to <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2023-02-14/santa-monica-lays-out-planning-process-ksmo-closure">close</a> on Dec. 31, 2028.&nbsp;By accumulating surplus airport revenues it intended to spend on general city services after KSMO’s closure, FAA director Michael Helvey ruled the city had violated federal law, which requires all airport revenues collected from aeronautical and non-aeronautical activities, such as airport real estate leases, to be spent on airport operations or improvements.
In 2024, a complaint filed by a pilot and a KSMO-based repair station, with support from NBAA, accused the city of failing to use the entire airport revenue surplus to reduce rates charged to aviation users.&nbsp;While the city slashed KSMO’s aeronautical use rates, the airport is slated to close with a non-aeronautical surplus of approximately $19 million, which it believed could be used for municipal expenditures.
“Under usual circumstances, a federally obligated airport that desires to close must have FAA approval to do so,” Helvey stated. “As part of that approval process, the FAA directs where any surplus revenue will be expended upon closure.”
The agency ordered Santa Monica to review and adjust its non-aeronautical budget to conform with federal obligations, while updating its aeronautical rates each year until closure.&nbsp;The city has 30 days to appeal the ruling.

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.

FAA Rules Against Santa Monica in Airport Revenue Surplus Complaint

City must adhere to federal law on airport revenue use

The city of Santa Monica, California, has run afoul of FAA regulations with its plan to withhold surplus airport revenues for municipal use after the scheduled closure of beleaguered Santa Monica Municipal Airport at the end of 2028.

FAA Rules Against Santa Monica’s Airport Revenue Surplus

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

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.

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.

Eliminates ban on VFR night flying, allows single-pilot Part 135 with autopilot

Argentina Improves General Aviation Flying Freedom

Emergency landing raised issue of Red Lake Nation's claims over reservation airspace

‘Darrin’s Law’ Aims To Limit Tribal Airplane Taking

Kerry Lynch

FAA changes requirements surrounding antidepressants and diabetes

NBAA Lauds FAA Changes to Medication Requirements

Hanneke Weitering

Unauthorized banner- and target-towing ops prompt $15.7 million fine

FAA Alleges Unairworthy Learjet Ops at Aery Aviation

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.

Congress weighs operational resilience and innovation

Supersonic, ATC Bills Wind Way Through U.S. Congress

Charles Alcock

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

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Engine failure over the tribe's land resulted in an emergency landing on a public highway

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