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

Among the FBOs appearing in the Avfuel lineup this year at NBAA-BACE is North Shore Jet Center, the lone FBO at Chicago-area Waukegan National Airport (KUGN) that is making its NBAA show debut.&nbsp;
Signature Aviation had operated the facility for a decade, but the Waukegan Port District, which manages KUGN, <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2026-08-24/airport-take-over-operations-chicago-area-fbo">decided</a> to bring the facility under airport control at the end of Signature’s lease. North Shore began operations at the beginning of this month.
“Opening North Shore Jet Center was the result of months of work by a team that cares deeply about aviation,” said general manager Steve Bowlin. “I’m proud of the care they put into preparing this operation and the way they’re bringing our commitment to safety and service to life at Waukegan.”
The port district plans to invest in facility enhancements, including remodeling the existing 1970s-vintage two-story 9,000-sq-ft FBO terminal—which has a passenger lounge with fireplace and refreshment bar, pilot lounge with snooze room, conference room, and flight planning area/business center—within the next year.
It will also add U.S. Customs assistance and ramp-side vehicle access with enhanced features such as expanded concierge services. A new $5 million terminal is planned for 2031 to support the continued growth of the airport.

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

North Shore Airport Operated FBO Makes NBAA-BACE Debut

North Shore Aviation began operations at KUGN this month

North Shore Aviation, the lone FBO at Chicago-area Waukegan National Airport, began operating under airport control at the beginning of October.

North Shore FBO Makes NBAA-BACE Debut

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.

FBO chain launched last year and now is adding more services

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Company’s first self-built FBO will open in Colorado in December

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Air Culinaire Accepts Avcard, Ties to Airplane Manager

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Charles Alcock

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News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

NBAA-BACE 2026

In this article

Avfuel

More In FBOs

Infinity Aviation Adds Deicing at Trenton and Nashua

FBO chain launched last year and now is adding more services

Vantage Eagerly Awaits First Homegrown FBO

Company’s first self-built FBO will open in Colorado in December

Air Culinaire Accepts Avcard, Ties to Airplane Manager

The catering provider aims to simplify processes for customers

Universal Aviation Shows Its New Affinity for Bizav

Company sheds its longtime name as it moves forward

Atlantic Aviation Ascends at NBAA-BACE

Company’s new customer rebate program makes its show debut

PrivatPort Brings Its FBO Network to Cancún and Tulum

Swissport spinoff adds two Mexico FBOs and names new leaders

Business Jet Rapidly Expanding Footprint at Love Field

The company recently added two more hangars and poured more concrete for ramp space

California FBO/MRO Desert Jet Begins Major Expansion

The multimillion-dollar project will greatly increase the company’s capabilities

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