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.

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Curt Epstein

Cirrus Aircraft completed a multimillion-dollar expansion of its Grand Forks, North Dakota manufacturing facility last week. According to the company, this move “addresses the growing need for additional manufacturing space as Cirrus aircraft demand continues to increase.”
The expanded facility, which is designed to sustain current and forecasted production rates, will enable a streamlined flow of composite parts. It will support the airframer’s product portfolio, including the SR-series high-performance pistons and SF50 Vision Jet.
Cirrus employs approximately 500 employees, approximately 80 percent of whom are dedicated to direct manufacturing operations. The OEM noted the facility’s expansion also provides greater production flexibility to better support the innovation process.&nbsp;
“This expansion reflects our continued investment in our people, our products, and the Grand Forks community,” said company CEO Zean Nielsen. “By adding more than 30,000 square feet, creating new jobs, and enhancing our workplace for our team members, we're positioning Cirrus for continued growth.”
In addition to Cirrus’ investment, contributions from local partners signify a shared commitment to economic growth and advanced manufacturing in the region.
Aside from Grand Forks, Cirrus has six other manufacturing locations in the U.S., including Duluth, Minnesota; Dallas; Phoenix; Orlando, Florida; Knoxville, Tennessee; and Benton Harbor, Michigan.

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Cirrus Expands North Dakota Aircraft Manufacturing Facility

The Grand Forks location supports the airframer's composites work

Cirrus Aircraft has expanded its composites manufacturing in Grand Forks, North Dakota to meet future demand for its SR series aircraft and the VisionJet.

Cirrus Expands North Dakota Manufacturing Facility

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