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

Hopscotch Go Corporation, the parent company of Northeast U.S.-based private lift provider Hopscotch Air, has filed a Regulation A Offering Circular with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to raise capital to fund its future growth. The Regulation A measure allows companies to offer and sell their securities without having to register the offering with the SEC.
“This offering has the potential to transform our business and allow us to scale the company so that a larger market can experience our unique air taxi business,” said Hopscotch CEO Andrew Schmertz.
Launched in 2009, Hopscotch holds an FAA Part 135 certificate and provides flights from bases in New York’s Long Island, at Westchester County Airport, and from Boston using a fleet of three Cirrus SR-series aircraft. A fourth and fifth are due for delivery in the first half of the year, and the company is in negotiations to purchase two more.
“We’ve demonstrated the value of our service by providing safe, regional transportation at prices as much as two-thirds below traditional charter,” explained Schmertz.
Hopscotch—which will apply for ticker symbols on the FINRA and OTC markets—is awaiting approval of its offer by the SEC so it can begin accepting investments.&nbsp;It intends to use proceeds of the capital raise to expand its fleet, increase its pilot staff, and develop AI technology to improve its efficiency. Additionally,&nbsp;Hopscotch plans to grow its relationships with eVTOL manufacturers because it sees synergies in its business plan with that of the advanced urban mobility model.

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

Hopscotch Go Files for Investment Offering To Fund Growth

SEC approval is needed to begin accepting capital investments

Northeastern U.S. air taxi provider Hopscotch Air is preparing an investment offering.

Small Air Taxi Operator Looks To Fund Growth

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

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 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 company also increased bookings for helicopters and group charter flights

Private Jets Drive Air Charter Service Revenue Growth

Charlotte Bailey

Two additional flight data software solutions also integrated into fleet

Global Jet Streamlines Ops, Reups Safety Registrations

Kerry Lynch

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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The company also increased bookings for helicopters and group charter flights

Global Jet Streamlines Ops, Reups Safety Registrations

Two additional flight data software solutions also integrated into fleet

FAA Issues Emergency Revocation of Houston Part 135 Op

StarFlite allegedly falsified pilot records

Jet Linx Revives Equity-based Base Partner Program

Investors serve as brand ambassadors in their home markets

ACC Report: Private Aviation Needs More Financial Transparency

ACC urge investors and customers to scrutinize for financial resilience

Illegal Charters Undercut Legitimate Operators in APAC

Regulatory fragmentation, increasing charter demand opening doors to illegal charter

Biz Travel Resuming Top Spot as Private Aviation Driver

Altour survey highlights normalizing demand and stability within sector

HTM Adopts Moove’s Charter Digital Booking Platform

System facilitates scheduling, passenger information, and mission execution

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