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

“This day happens to be one of the most important days that we have seen in a long time,” NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen said this morning during the opening session at the association's 35th annual Schedulers &amp; Dispatchers Conference (SDC). “That is because, over the last week, we have seen misstatements about business aviation and misperceptions being projected.”
He was referring to proposals in Washington regarding <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-03-12/white-house-resurrects-call-increased-bizjet-taxes">increasing jet fuel taxes on business aviation</a>, lengthening aircraft depreciation schedules, and stepped-up IRS auditing of aircraft operators. “We see that our industry is effectively under attack,” Bolen stated.
Bolen urged the audience gathered at Texas' Fort Worth Convention Center to contact their elected officials and tell the industry’s story about how these aircraft are used and the essential and unique benefits they provide. "Let them know this is an industry that does great things,” Bolen said. Playing off this year’s SDC theme of “Engage and Empower: Where Your Quest Begins,” he added, “We need our community to feel empowered to tell Congress—we need people to be engaged to make that happen.”
The opening session also included the presentation of this year's Schedulers &amp; Dispatchers Outstanding Achievement &amp; Leadership Award to Chris Algee, manager of flight scheduling operations and administration with Encompass Health's flight department. The session concluded with a keynote address by retired USAF Colonel Merryl Tengesdal, a decorated veteran pilot who also served in the U.S. Navy and was the first and only Black woman to fly the U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance airplane, racking up more than 3,400 flight hours and 330 combat hours.

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

NBAA Head Ed Bolen Warns Business Aviation Industry Is Under Attack

Urges community outreach to oppose proposed measures

NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen warned the business aviation industry is under attack in the wake of recent legislative proposals.

NBAA Chief: Business Aviation Under Attack

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

David G. Mayer

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.

Cash is king, but using other people's money could be more advantageous

AINsight: Why Refinancing Your Aircraft Pays Off

Amy Wilder

Inventory fell to 6.6% of fleet versus 8.2% historical average

Preowned Jet Values Rise In Face of Transaction Declines

Increased aircraft ownership and flight hours drove gains

NetJets, FlightSafety See 11.8% Revenue Growth in Q1

Matt Thurber

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.

Goal is to make the process similar to buying car coverage

ForeFlight Launches Aircraft Insurance Marketplace

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.

North America up 6.6% year over year, while Europe climbs 4.9%

Global Bizav Activity Climbs 6.5% YOY in March

Neelam Mathews

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.

New options for operating leases are starting to become more common

India’s Aircraft Leasing Sector Gets More User-friendly

Charles Alcock

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

NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference 2024

More In Finance, Taxes, Insurance

AINsight: Why Refinancing Your Aircraft Pays Off

Cash is king, but using other people's money could be more advantageous

Preowned Jet Values Rise In Face of Transaction Declines

Inventory fell to 6.6% of fleet versus 8.2% historical average

NetJets, FlightSafety See 11.8% Revenue Growth in Q1

Increased aircraft ownership and flight hours drove gains

ForeFlight Launches Aircraft Insurance Marketplace

Goal is to make the process similar to buying car coverage

Global Bizav Activity Climbs 6.5% YOY in March

North America up 6.6% year over year, while Europe climbs 4.9%

India’s Aircraft Leasing Sector Gets More User-friendly

New options for operating leases are starting to become more common

Indemnity Insurer Calls for Clearer Charter Contracts

Charter contracts can be unclear over who gets paid what and how

Governor Signs Washington State Luxury Tax Repeal

Replacement bill includes a rise in fuel taxes of 7 cents per gallon

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