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

Fledgling airframer Icon is showing off the first production version of its A5 light sport aircraft this week at EAA AirVenture 2014 in Oshkosh, Wis. Unveiled at the show, engineering serial number 1 (ESN-1), is the first of the company’s aircraft to be built from the production design, using production tooling, methods and components.


“This is one of the most significant milestones to date for Icon. It represents the culmination of years of research, design, engineering and manufacturing dedication by an outstanding team,” said Icon Aircraft founder and CEO Kirk Hawkins. “The A5 is no longer a prototype or concept aircraft; it’s a sophisticated, production-ready, consumer-focused aircraft.”


ESN-1, which took five months to construct, made its first flight earlier this month and will be one of three aircraft used to verify performance ahead of next year’s anticipated certification. The second production prototype is expected to be completed later this fall, while the third aircraft in the test program will also be the first to be delivered to a customer.


To celebrate the completion of its first production aircraft, the manufacturer is auctioning off one the A5’s early production spots, which is scheduled to be delivered in early 2016. The company will donate a portion of the proceeds to Veterans Airlift Command, the nonprofit group that provides free air transport to post-9/11 combat wounded veterans and their families through volunteer aircraft and pilots.


Icon recently announced that it will relocate its engineering facility from Tehachapi, Calif., to a new 140,000-sq-ft manufacturing plant in Vacaville, Calif., beginning operations there early next year. Once at full production, the company expects to be able to produce more than 500 A5s a year.

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.

Icon Unveils First Production A5

Certification for the company’s small amphibian aircraft is expected next year.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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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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Paris News Briefs:  June 15, 2025

Charles Alcock

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

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.

Beta's Alia CX300 aircraft is expected to turn heads with its flying display

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

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

In late May, Hungarian pilots completed training with Aero Vodochody

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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 relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

State representatives at Paris Air Show play down concern over Trump tariffs

American States Seek Foreign Aerospace Investment

David Donald

The Increment 3 Block 2 upgrade for the P-8 greatly enhances its ASW, ASuW and ISR capabilities

Improved Multirole Poseidon Aircraft Prepares for Service

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

Folding wingtips for Boeing 777X is one of several innovations on display at Paris Air Show

Liebherr Highlights Aircraft Systems Innovation 

Spending is set to accelerate in the coming years

European Defense Budget Rises Could Boost Air Power 

Chad Trautvetter

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.

EAA AirVenture 2014

More In Aircraft

Paris News Briefs: June 15, 2025

Headlines from the Paris Air Show

Electric Aircraft Vie for Attention at Paris Air Show

Beta's Alia CX300 aircraft is expected to turn heads with its flying display

Hungary’s Air Force Set To Receive L-39 Skyfox Trainers

In late May, Hungarian pilots completed training with Aero Vodochody

American States Seek Foreign Aerospace Investment

State representatives at Paris Air Show play down concern over Trump tariffs

Improved Multirole Poseidon Aircraft Prepares for Service

The Increment 3 Block 2 upgrade for the P-8 greatly enhances its ASW, ASuW and ISR capabilities

Liebherr Highlights Aircraft Systems Innovation

Folding wingtips for Boeing 777X is one of several innovations on display at Paris Air Show

European Defense Budget Rises Could Boost Air Power

Spending is set to accelerate in the coming years

Bizav Flying Rises in May Despite Economic Uncertainty

North America and Europe up modestly, while rest of world sees double-digit increase

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