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

Long Island, New York-based aircraft charter, management, and maintenance provider Talon Air has been sold in a private transaction to an ownership group led by current CEO James Chitty, COO Nicholas Piazza, and an unidentified investment group specializing in aviation.
Vista Global had acquired a minority of Talon as part of its 2021 <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2021-03-04/vista-global-buy-apollo-jets-stake-talon-air">purchase</a> of Apollo Jets, and its fleet of 40 midsize to heavy jets was commercially integrated with Vista subsidiary XO’s dedicated fleet.&nbsp;Under its new ownership, Talon—which added 12 new managed aircraft to its certificate in the fourth quarter, including nine in December alone—regained its status as an independent business run by Chitty, who led the company through a period of significant growth under the global group.
The company holds ARG/US Platinum Elite, Wyvern Wingman, and IS-BAO Stage III operational safety ratings, and also runs an FAA Part 145 repair station at its Republic Airport (KFRG) headquarters.
“This is an exciting new chapter for our airplane owners, as well as our dedicated team of employees who provide the highest level of customer support and service,” said Chitty. “By aligning ownership with leadership, Talon Air will continue to build upon the rapid growth in managed aircraft and charter hours achieved in 2025 by investing in new growth opportunities.”

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

New York-based Talon Jet Returns to Independently-owned Status

Based at NYC-area Republic Airport, the company manages 40 private jets

New York-based aircraft services provider Talon Air has been sold to a private investment group.

Talon Jet Returns to Independently-owned Status

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charlotte Bailey

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.

Newly appointed U.S. managing director will help grow subsidiary’s presence in charter market

Luxaviation One To Expand Team in U.S. 

Amy Wilder

Company reports 99% on-time performance including holiday period

Wheels Up Achieves Record Reliability To Start 2026

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.

Additions were driven by mission profiles requested by jet card members

Nicholas Air Grows with Phenom 300E, Latitude Bizjets

CEO outlines fleet, infrastructure, and profitability priorities

FlyExclusive Accelerates Growth Strategy for 2026

Charles Alcock

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

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.

Singapore start-up offers alternative to existing charter marketplaces

Avi-Go Business Aviation Data Platform Adds AI Search Bot

Ricci owns and operates more than a dozen aviation businesses

Flexjet’s Ricci Tapped for NBAA SDC Keynote Address

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

More In Charter & Fractional

Luxaviation One To Expand Team in U.S.

Newly appointed U.S. managing director will help grow subsidiary’s presence in charter market

Wheels Up Achieves Record Reliability To Start 2026

Company reports 99% on-time performance including holiday period

Nicholas Air Grows with Phenom 300E, Latitude Bizjets

Additions were driven by mission profiles requested by jet card members

FlyExclusive Accelerates Growth Strategy for 2026

CEO outlines fleet, infrastructure, and profitability priorities

Avi-Go Business Aviation Data Platform Adds AI Search Bot

Singapore start-up offers alternative to existing charter marketplaces

Flexjet’s Ricci Tapped for NBAA SDC Keynote Address

Ricci owns and operates more than a dozen aviation businesses

ACC: Taxation Most Immediate Cost Driver for Air Charter

Robust worldwide demand continues to be impacted by regional operational differences, especially in Europe

Flying Privately: Chartering a Private Jet for the First Time

Chartering a business jet for the first time doesn't have to be confusing.

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