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

Infrastructure developer Ferrovial has embraced automated technology in the construction of a new runway at Rafael Hernández International Airport (TJBQ) in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
The $239 million project includes a 10,826-foot-long, 150-foot-wide runway, which is being built without disrupting airport operations. To meet that requirement, Ferrovial is deploying a trio of compaction rollers that have been modified to allow them to operate autonomously under the supervision of a single operator.
This enables the compaction rollers to perform multiple passes in a defined area following a programmed course. Using AI-powered vision systems and obstacle-detection technology, the equipment can automatically stop when it detects people or other vehicles, reducing the risk of incidents in high-activity work areas.
The automation enables the company to have continuous and precise control over each phase of the ground compaction, while facilitating more efficient management of resources onsite and reducing downtime typically associated with manual operations.
As these technologies continue to evolve, “an increase in collaborative models among construction companies, regulatory agencies, and technology providers is expected, with the goal of creating common standards and accelerating large-scale adoption across the industry,” the company said.

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

Autonomous Technology Used in Puerto Rico Runway Project 

The Aguadilla development includes a 10,800-foot runway

Infrastructure developer Ferrovial is introducing automated technology on a major runway construction project.

Autonomous Tech Used in Puerto Rico Runway Project

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Amy Wilder

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

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.

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.

Federal funding covers 280 grants across 46 states

$1.1 Billion in AIP Grants Funds U.S. Airport Upgrades

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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.

Rocheleau had served with the FAA before returning to NBAA in August

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Midway Island plays a role in ETOPS flight planning

FAA Ponders Fate of Remote Pacific Island Airfield

Tennessee governor suggests change to airport board

Nashville Mulls Airport Name Change To Honor Dolly Parton

Hanneke Weitering

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Site will support both piloted and pilotless VTOL flight testing

Wisk Begins Building eVTOL Vertiport at Hollister Airport

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.

More In Airports

$1.1 Billion in AIP Grants Funds U.S. Airport Upgrades

Federal funding covers 280 grants across 46 states

NBAA’s Rocheleau To Take Helm at ACI-NA

Rocheleau had served with the FAA before returning to NBAA in August

FAA Ponders Fate of Remote Pacific Island Airfield

Midway Island plays a role in ETOPS flight planning

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Tennessee governor suggests change to airport board

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Site will support both piloted and pilotless VTOL flight testing

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Flexjet Bases European Helicopter Fleet at Blackbushe

S-76s and AW139s will carry passengers to and from London-area airports

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Neither FAA nor Congress appear open to helping Cleveland expedite airport closure

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