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

After a decade under Signature Aviation operation, the lone FBO at Chicago-area Waukegan National Airport (KUGN) will change hands on Oct. 1, 2026. Signature told AIN that it had expressed its interest in continuing to operate the FBO and making additional investments in the location, but with the ending of the chain’s lease, the Waukegan Port District—which manages KUGN—will assume control of the facility and rebrand it as North Shore Jet Center.&nbsp;
"The Board determined that direct operation will provide greater control over the quality of aeronautical services, future planning, and generate revenues that can be reinvested in the airport and potentially reduce or moderate rates and charges to airport users, support investment in improved general aviation facilities, ensure reasonable pricing and service levels, and preserve the district’s flexibility to respond to future changes in aviation," airport director Skip Goss told AIN, describing it as a unique, once-in-a-generation opportunity. "Entering into another long-term ground lease with a private FBO would surrender these public benefits for another 20 to 25 years."
The port district plans to invest in significant facility enhancements, including remodeling the existing 1970s-vintage two-story 9,000 sq ft FBO terminal—which has a passenger lounge with fireplace and refreshment bar, pilot lounge with snooze room, conference room, and flight planning area/business center—within the next year. It will also add U.S. Customs assistance and ramp-side vehicle access with enhanced features such as expanded concierge services. A new $5 million terminal is also planned for 2031 to support the continued growth of the airport.
As part of the change in operations, the FBO will also join the Avfuel dealer network, providing customers with access to the fuel provider’s suite of fuel, payment, and rewards programs.
“Our goal is to create an FBO where customers look forward to visiting, and employees are proud to grow their careers,” said industry veteran Steve Bowlin, who will take over as general manager of the location. “We’re committed to delivering safe, reliable service with a personal touch, creating a first-class experience for every customer.”

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