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

General aviation manufacturer WACO Aircraft—owned since 2018 by Germany-based Dimor Group—abruptly announced on Wednesday that it was shutting down its aircraft production facility in Battle Creek, Michigan. WACO’s adjoining FBO/MRO facility, Centennial Aircraft Services, is also winding down its operations.
The company was the spiritual descendant of the original Weaver Aircraft Co. (WACO), which was founded in 1920 and produced open-cockpit biplanes that have since become classics. In 1983, the designs were revived by new ownership, and production of the modernized aircraft began. In 1999, it moved its plant to Battle Creek Executive Airport at Kellogg Field (KBTL). It <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2021-07-21/airplane-builder-waco-opens-new-michigan-fbo">opened</a> an FBO in 2021.
A person with ties to the organization told AIN the FBO will continue to operate for another 60 to 90 days with a limited staff. It will continue to service general aviation aircraft, they said, but warned that business jet and turboprop operators should check with the FBO ahead of time to ensure there will be a staffer trained in jet-A fueling on hand upon arrival. WACO will honor the lease of the restaurant on the second floor of the terminal, which will continue to operate as normal.
According to the source, a handful of prospective buyers are considering purchasing the company.

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

WACO Aircraft Shuts Factory, FBO/MRO To Follow

The aircraft maker set up shop at KBTL in 1999

WACO Aircraft has shut down its aircraft production operations at Michigan’s Battle Creek Executive Airport, with its FBO and MRO to soon follow.

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.

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