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.

Senior Editor

Curt Epstein

California’s Napa County Airport has issued an <a href="https://www.countyofnapa.org/bids.aspx?bidID=105">RFP for a second service provider</a>, as it looks to increase business at the dedicated general aviation gateway. Currently, Lynx, which purchased the Napa Jet Center last year, is the sole FBO there. According to Elizabeth Habkirk, the county’s deputy director of public works, the facility&nbsp;pumped 2.25 million gallons of fuel and handled more than 50,000 operations last year.

 


The RFP is for a 10-acre leasehold next to the existing FBO, with an initial 30-year term, plus two five-year options. Habkirk told AIN&nbsp;the proposal comes with a minimum capital investment requirement of $34,000 per acre per year, for an approximate $10 million outlay, and prospective operators should come to the table with ideas on how they expect to attract more customers.

 


“We recognize the airport as an important ‘front-door’ to the Napa Valley and look forward to the opportunity to grow business at the airport to benefit the entire community,” said county board of supervisors chair Ryan Gregory.

 


The wine-country airport will host a voluntary tour on September&nbsp;25 for interested parties, with a mandatory pre-proposal conference on November 13&nbsp;for those looking to issue a proposal, which is due by March 27. The airport is currently undergoing an environmental impact review for the new facility, which would be expected to be completed by October&nbsp;2022.

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

California Airport Seeks To Add Second FBO

California's Napa County Airport believes it has enough GA traffic to require another FBO, and the county board has issued an RFP to attract one.

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.

The FBO chain acquired the facility and its customer care culture in 2007

Signature Shows Off 'Minnesota Nice' in St. Paul

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

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

Delta County Airport is the branded dealer network's first Michigan location

AEG Fuels Connects with Michigan Airport 

AmyWilder

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.

Significant savings for single and twin piston operators

AOPA Applauds Signature’s New Piston Fee Structure

The company will expand its Linate Prime location ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics

SEA Prime Expands Milan Linate FBO as Traffic Grows

Changes will increase the speed of reward accumulation

Atlantic Aviation Turbocharges Customer Loyalty Program

Universal's co-branding agreement adds six locations to its network

Universal Expands European Handling Network to Portugal

The new apron will enhance the FBO's international flight services

Million Air Dallas To Open New Addison Customs Ramp

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

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