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

Growing service provider chain Vantage Aviation has completed its acquisition of the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-10-06/pittsburgh-area-fbo-files-bankruptcy-protection">distressed</a> Corporate Air FBO at Pittsburgh Allegheny County Airport (KAGC).&nbsp;Corporate Air’s ownership had faced cash flow challenges in recent years, and Vantage had supplied financial support for the former as it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last year.
As part of its restructuring plan, approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Vantage became the new equity holder for the company and its subsidiaries on January 2.
The rebranded facility includes nearly 110,000 sq ft of hangars that can accommodate the latest ultra-long-range business jets, as well as an 11,600-sq-ft FBO terminal and more than 24,000 sq ft of office space.&nbsp;Vantage—which plans to launch a $2 million renovation of the facility this year—also acquired Corporate Air’s Part 135 certificate and Part 141 flight school as part of the court ruling.
Founded by industry veteran Ryan Maxfield and backed by Jadian Capital, Vantage made its <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-10-21/vantage-aviation-buys-richmond-fbo-part-new-network">debut</a> as an FBO brand in late 2024. This marks the company’s sixth facility, with a seventh under <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-12-09/colorado-airport-receive-second-fbo">construction</a>.
“The acquisition of the Corporate Air FBO at Allegheny County Airport represents an important milestone for Vantage Aviation,” said CEO Maxfield. “KAGC is a critical business aviation airport, and this transaction allows us to strengthen our presence in a market with sustained demand from corporate, charter, and owner-flown operators.”

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

Vantage Aviation Adds Steel City FBO Location

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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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