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 FAA has proposed a $260,868 civil penalty against Long Island, New York-based aircraft management provider ExcelAire, claiming it&nbsp;conducted unauthorized air charter operations.
According to the agency, the company operated two flights for compensation or hire in August 2025, two months after its director of operations surrendered the company’s air carrier certificate to the FAA. That person, and the remainder of the company’s required management personnel, also resigned in June 2025.
Additionally, the FAA alleges that ExcelAire lacks the required qualified management personnel to ensure the safety of its operations. “The conduct of ExcelAire demonstrates a disregard for the safety of the flying public, and its actions were careless or reckless so as to endanger the lives and property of others,” the agency noted in its complaint.
Fellow Long Island aviation services provider Executive Fliteways had purchased the company in <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2023-06-02/executive-fliteways-acquires-excelaire-adds-fleet">2023</a>, mainly to acquire its Part 145 repair station, and it swiftly sold the remainder of ExcelAire—including its charter certificate—to Sky Elite Holdings, a Bronx, New York-based limited liability company in September 2024. Its current ownership remains unclear, as calls to the company eventually went to the voicemail of Empyreal Jets, a Houston-based charter broker.&nbsp;&nbsp;
ExcelAire has 30 days after receipt of the notice to respond to the FAA’s allegations.

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.

FAA Alleges Illegal Ops by New York Aircraft Management Provider

The company has 30 days to respond to the charges

The FAA is proposing fines against a New York-based charter provider, alleging illegal operations.

FAA Alleges Illegal Ops by Aircraft Management Provider

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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.

Similar bill passed House

Senate OKs Bill To Encourage Aviation Mental Health Care

Amy Wilder

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.

Guidance calls for hard weather triggers, no-fault turnarounds

Canada Issues Guidance for Single-pilot SOP Mandate

Charles Alcock

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.

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

AAM consultant says U.S. and China players would benefit from partnership

China’s eVTOL Pioneers Crave Access to Western Markets

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

GAO makes nine recommendations to strengthen FAA cybersecurity

U.S. GAO: National Airspace Comms Vulnerable to Spoofing

Jennifer Meszaros

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

More In Regulations and Government

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U.S. GAO: National Airspace Comms Vulnerable to Spoofing

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Approved by committee, the legislation now goes to the House floor

AINsight: How To Use AI When Buying an Aircraft

Use AI cautiously and assess its output

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