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

Velocity FBO Network has expanded to five locations with the acquisition of <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2019-05-28/louisiana-fbo-expands-rival-purchase">BTR Jet Center</a>, one of three service providers at Louisiana’s Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (KBTR).
Located on the field’s east ramp, the facility—which opened in 2021—includes a two-story 6,600-sq-ft terminal and 90,000-sq-ft hangar. It features a passenger lobby, pilot lounge with a trio of snooze rooms, flight-planning area, eight-seat conference room, kitchen with cold storage, and observation deck. The hangar can accommodate ultra-long-range business jets.
<a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-06-13/odyssey-aviaition-north-america-achieves-launch-velocity">Velocity</a>, which began as a brand last year, is backed by private investment firm Tallvine Partners. It operates four other FBOs at Detroit-area Willow Run Airport (KYIP); Kissimmee Gateway Airport (KISM) in central Florida; St. Simons Island Airport (KSSI) in Georgia; and Lake Havasu City Airport (KHII) in Arizona.
“BTR Jet has established itself as one of the premier aviation service providers in the South, with modern facilities and a strong reputation for hospitality and operational excellence,” said Velocity CEO Chad Farischon. “We are excited to welcome BTR Jet, its employees, and customers into the Velocity family, and bring our broader resources and platform capabilities to support ongoing growth and innovation at Baton Rouge.”

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

With BTR Jet Center Purchase, Velocity FBO Network Now Has Five Locations

Brand was founded last year

Velocity FBO Network adds a Louisiana location.

Velocity FBO Network Adds Fifth 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.

Platform will deliver direct reservation capabilities and more

Signature Aviation Reveals Its Future ‘Vision’

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

10,000-sq-ft structure is part of a $6 million development project

North Carolina Genav Airport Debuts New Terminal

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

New solar array provides enough juice to power the entire facility

California FBO/MRO Goes off the Grid

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

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Matt Thurber

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.

More than 50 high-value jobs will come as a result of the new facility

WingsOverAsia Breaks Ground for Seletar Jet Hangar

Keeping it in the family

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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.

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