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

Aircraft operators heading to Singapore are facing more scrutiny in the wake of recently enacted regulations.&nbsp;A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.caas.gov.sg/docs/default-source/docs---srg/rd/ac-129-3-1(0)-foreign-operator's-permit.pdf">restriction</a>&nbsp;in place since January requires non-local operators to hold a foreign operator’s permit (FOP) issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore in addition to the previously required air operator certificate (AOC), aerial work certificate, or similar authorization from another country.
According to NBAA, the measure&nbsp;is intended to counter the threat of illegal aircraft charter operations in the region, and operators are reporting increased ramp checks to ensure compliance with the new regulation.
The regulation applies to any aircraft involved in commercial air transport operations, including passenger, medevac, cargo, positioning, and technical stop flights, and operating under a foreign AOC or similar authorization. Operators of such aircraft must obtain an FOP before conducting flights to or within Singapore.
That also includes non-commercial/private flights conducted by foreign AOC holders, if the aircraft is listed on their AOC operations specifications. Penalties for noncompliance range from about 8,000 to 15,000 USD.
“From our experience, the entire process, from registering the new company to issuance of the FOP, typically may take approximately four to eight weeks for approval, subject to submission of complete and compliant documentation,” said Julie Ambrose, managing director of The ASA Group and vice chair of NBAA’s international operators committee. “However, the actual approval period remains at the discretion of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, and early planning and thorough document readiness are essential to help minimize potential operational delays.”

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.

Bizav Operations Encounter More Scrutiny in Singapore

Compliance vigilance has increased following new regulation

Business aircraft bound for Singapore are facing increased scrutiny after a new regulation was enacted earlier this year. 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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.

Cloud-based system will be more reliable

FAA Completes First Phase of New Notam System

Membership has doubled, MOUs were signed, and new committees formed

AfBAA Growing, Expanding Reach under New Leadership

Charles Alcock

Charlotte Bailey

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

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

A multi-part report on the state of business aviation in Europe

Caution Prevails as Business Aviation Sees Slow Growth, Increasing Obstacles in Europe

Recommendations cover tax, regulatory, and user fee policies

CBAA Pushes for Improved Policies To Support Bizav

Amy Wilder

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

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.

Measure would reform FAA special issuance medical process, expand approved medications

Senate Committee Advances Aviation Mental Health Bill

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Bill addresses Jan. 29, 2025 midair collision near Washington National Airport

U.S. House Overwhelmingly Approves Air Safety Alert Act

Robert Sancetta

Cardiovascular screening is important, so don’t put it off

AINsight: Cardiac Calcium Scores for Pilots

Neelam Mathews

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

More In Regulations and Government