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

No stranger to the calamitous effects of hurricane-related flooding, Florida’s Tampa International Airport (KTPA) is finalizing a nearly $2 million project to protect crucial electrical vault buildings from floodwater during major storms. The system erects a 9-foot-tall temporary perimeter fence that helps keep water out.
Situated next to KTPA’s aircraft rescue and firefighting facility near the center of the field, the structures house the airfield’s lighting system. They are susceptible to water damage that could render the airport unavailable for nighttime disaster relief operations and result in costly repairs.
The flood-protection system includes the AquaFence barrier, which consists of 150 separate panels made of steel, aluminum, and laminated plywood, with UV-resistant and waterproof plastic membranes and gaskets that seal water out; a foundation of anchors embedded in the concrete for installation of the fence in advance of severe weather; and electrical and drainage improvements. While the AquaFence—which will stay in storage until needed—is intended to insulate against storm surge, newly installed pumps will divert heavy rainfall out of the protected area.&nbsp;
While this year’s hurricane season has broken an 85-year-old record for the longest span without a hurricane on the U.S. East Coast, KTPA said it’s only a matter of time before the new system will need to be used.

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

Tampa Airport Invests in Hurricane Fencing To Guard Electric Infrastructure

System is intended to protect the electrical system vaults

Looking to avoid service outages and costly repairs due to hurricanes, Tampa International Airport is preparing with a temporary water exclusion fence system.

Tampa Airport Invests in Hurricane Flood-barrier Fencing

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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.

The Aguadilla development includes a 10,800-foot runway

Autonomous Tech Used in Puerto Rico Runway Project

Amy Wilder

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

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.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Federal funding covers 280 grants across 46 states

$1.1 Billion in AIP Grants Funds U.S. Airport Upgrades

Kerry Lynch

Rocheleau had served with the FAA before returning to NBAA in August

NBAA’s Rocheleau To Take Helm at ACI-NA

Midway Island plays a role in ETOPS flight planning

FAA Ponders Fate of Remote Pacific Island Airfield

Tennessee governor suggests change to airport board

Nashville Mulls Airport Name Change To Honor Dolly Parton

Hanneke Weitering

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Site will support both piloted and pilotless VTOL flight testing

Wisk Begins Building eVTOL Vertiport at Hollister Airport

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

More In Airports

Autonomous Tech Used in Puerto Rico Runway Project

The Aguadilla development includes a 10,800-foot runway

$1.1 Billion in AIP Grants Funds U.S. Airport Upgrades

Federal funding covers 280 grants across 46 states

NBAA’s Rocheleau To Take Helm at ACI-NA

Rocheleau had served with the FAA before returning to NBAA in August

FAA Ponders Fate of Remote Pacific Island Airfield

Midway Island plays a role in ETOPS flight planning

Nashville Mulls Airport Name Change To Honor Dolly Parton

Tennessee governor suggests change to airport board

Wisk Begins Building eVTOL Vertiport at Hollister Airport

Site will support both piloted and pilotless VTOL flight testing

Electra Demos Hybrid-electric Flights in Three States

FAA program tests links between small fields and major hubs

Flexjet Bases European Helicopter Fleet at Blackbushe

S-76s and AW139s will carry passengers to and from London-area airports

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