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

The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) is on hand this week at LABACE in Brazil to recognize several local organizations for their recent International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) and International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) accomplishments. The two voluntary, three-tiered programs, based on industry best practices, were designed to improve the safety and efficiency of business and general aviation.
“A special congratulations to TAM Aviação Executiva for becoming the only organization in Latin America to hold both IS-BAO Stage 3 and IS-BAH Stage 3 registrations,” said IBAC director general Kurt Edwards. “The entire TAM team should be proud of voluntarily achieving this exemplary display of dedication to safety.”
In addition to TAM’s achievements, the São Paulo Catarina Airport (SBJH) recently achieved IS-BAH Stage 2 registration, while Aerovida Taxi Aereo, Air Jet Taxi Aereo, Cosan, and UpStar Aviation became IS-BAO Stage 1 operators. Prime Aviation Taxi Aereo and Romanof Ltda both advanced to IS-BAO Stage 2.
According to IBAC, participation in IS-BAO (established in 2002) and IS-BAH (launched in 2014) promotes a strong safety culture and enhances organizational and client confidence. It also directly supports IBAC’s global advocacy to improve aviation safety and ensure that business aviation has a voice on the international stage at ICAO.

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IBAC Acknowledges IS-BAO, IS-BAH Achievements at LABACE

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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.

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.

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

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.

LABACE 2026

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