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

California-based aviation services provider Clay Lacy Aviation (CLA) was honored by airport operator Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) last week with two awards during a ceremony and breakfast held at Van Nuys City Hall.
For the 10th straight year, the company received a VNY Friendly Flyer Award, highlighting its community partnership at West Coast business aviation hub Van Nuys Airport (KVNY). The award recognizes jet operators that demonstrate exceptional compliance with voluntary aircraft noise abatement procedures at KVNY, going beyond mandatory requirements to reduce noise impacts on surrounding communities.
In recognition of CLA’s sustainability efforts, it was also presented with the inaugural VNY Green Tenant Award. The company has maintained carbon-neutral certification across its facilities since 2019, and implemented sustainable practices such as electric ground equipment, renewable electricity sourcing, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, recycling programs, and availability of sustainable aviation fuel.
“Clay Lacy continues to set a benchmark for what it means to be an exceptional neighbor and partner at Van Nuys Airport,” said KVNY manager Jacob Haik. “Earning the Fly Friendly Award reflects their ongoing diligence in adhering to our mandatory and voluntary noise abatement procedures, while their recognition as an inaugural Green Tenant Awardee demonstrates real leadership in sustainable aviation. Meaningful progress happens when airport operators proactively invest in the well-being of our local community and the future of our environment.”

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

Clay Lacy Aviation Takes Home Two Awards from Airport Operator LAWA

The company was noted for sustainability and noise compliance

Clay Lacy Aviation’s business at Van Nuys Airport recently earned two awards from airport operator Los Angeles World Airport.

Clay Lacy Aviation Takes Home Two Awards

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

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.

Company fought back and elected not to settle 

Proposed FAA Penalty Against Aery Aviation Is Withdrawn

Hanneke Weitering

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 about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

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.

Heart drops the ES-30 model as JSX signs for up to 100 ES-36 airplanes

JSX Backs Heart’s Hybrid-electric ES-36 Redesign

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 information on safety procedures and concerns.

Case revolves around preventing transportation of beer to a ‘dry’ village in Alaska

NATA Brief Seeks Clear Pilot Role for Prohibited Items

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

Jet card buyers might not have any recompense for their investments

Broker ONEflight Pauses Charter Sales Activity

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

Ceremony scheduled for September 30 at 5 p.m.

FlyExclusive Ribbon-cutting Set for Raleigh Headquarters

Charlotte Bailey

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

In this article

Clay Lacy Aviation

More In Charter & Fractional

Proposed FAA Penalty Against Aery Aviation Is Withdrawn

Company fought back and elected not to settle

JSX Backs Heart’s Hybrid-electric ES-36 Redesign

Heart drops the ES-30 model as JSX signs for up to 100 ES-36 airplanes

NATA Brief Seeks Clear Pilot Role for Prohibited Items

Case revolves around preventing transportation of beer to a ‘dry’ village in Alaska

Broker ONEflight Pauses Charter Sales Activity

Jet card buyers might not have any recompense for their investments

FlyExclusive Ribbon-cutting Set for Raleigh Headquarters

Ceremony scheduled for September 30 at 5 p.m.

Charter Operators Navigate Europe’s Summer Slot Scramble

As a manic Mediterranean peak season ends, European charter demand remains robust

NW Missouri Aero Group Acquires ATD Flight Systems

Founder’s daughter remains part of ownership group

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Complaint centered on raising issues in briefs to preserve them

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