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

Banyan Air Service at Florida’s Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport operates one of the largest pilot shops in the industry and it has now burnished that status with the acquisition of Dare to FLY Fashion, an international aviation apparel brand founded by pilot Jen Toplak. Under the deal, the brand will be distributed exclusively through the Banyan Pilot Shop.
Toplak founded the company in 2015 after she created the Chicks FLY T-shirt for the International Organization of Women Pilots to raise funds for aviation scholarships. The lineup grew to include a unique range of aviation-related shirts, hats, and accessories.
“Jen’s artistic talents and her deep connection to aviation have made Dare to FLY a brand that resonates with pilots and aviation enthusiasts worldwide,” said Banyan Pilot Shop manager Katherine Koch. “As a fellow member of the Ninety-Nines, I have had the privilege of knowing Jen since the creation of this remarkable brand. I am proud to see how successful Jen has been with Dare to FLY and honored to continue its legacy at Banyan Pilot Shop.”
In keeping with the label’s charitable beginnings, a percentage of all sales proceeds it generates will be used to support scholarships, furthering Toplak’s vision to inspire others to pursue their dreams in aviation.

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

Banyan Pilot Shop Acquires Aviation Apparel Brand

It will be the exclusive distributor for Dare to FLY

Banyan PIlot Shop Is now the exclusive distributor for a famous aviation clothing line.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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

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.

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Several FBO groups are now collaborating with eVTOL aircraft developers

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