Southern Airways Express Airline Direct Program
What is Epic’s Airline Direct Program? Imagine a flight training program that takes you from zero experience directly into an airline career in just 10 months. That is what we offer here at Epic. Flight train with us, then transition to a new career at Southern Airways Express after hitting 350 flight hours. This program is open to new flight students with zero aviation experience who will begin training with the Private Pilot course or Instrument course at Epic. After completing your Commercial Single-Engine, you can apply to the program.
What are the basic requirements to begin training at Epic?
- First, applicants must be at least 18 years old.
- Next, you must hold a high school diploma or equivalency.
- Additionally, you must be authorized to work in the U.S.
- Most importantly, you must be physically able to obtain an FAA First Class Medical Certificate.
- Also, you need to have a valid driver’s license.
- As you might expect, you must have the ability to pass a 10-year background check and drug screening.
- Also, applicants must communicate proficiently in English.
- Lastly, you must begin your Epic training with the Private Pilot course or the Instrument Rating course. Unfortunately, students who join Epic after the IR course are not eligible for the Airline Direct Program.
What are the requirements to apply for the Airline Direct Program?
Before you apply for the program, be sure you meet the following requirements:
- 18 years or older
- Weight under 250 pounds
- Complete CSEL at time of application and enroll in CMEL add-on
- Valid First Class medical with no limitations
- Must have started training at Epic no later than the PPL or IR course
- No more than 2 total check ride failures during training (including written exams, oral, and flight portion)
- Must have an updated resume and FCC radio operator at time of application
What are the steps to complete the Airline Direct Program?
Follow these 5 steps to enroll in Epic’s Airline Direct Program.
Complete Epic’s pre-enrollment form.
Completing this form ensures that you meet all of the basic requirements to begin your training at Epic and will lead you to speak with a recruiter about the program. After further discussion, we can confirm that you understand the requirements and are eligible to apply for the Airline Direct Program.
Complete your training through Commercial Single-Engine, and talk to your recruiter for more details on applying.
This process may involve meeting with a school official to discuss your eligibility to apply, update you on any changes to the program, and review the next steps to apply more in-depth. We encourage you to start your Multi-Engine Commercial Add-on course as soon as practical.
Apply to the Airline Direct Program!
You will complete a full application that will be submitted to Southern Airways Express for review. A recruiting official from Southern Airways Express will contact you to schedule your interview. Once your interview is complete, Southern Airways Express will communicate acceptance into the program. If approved, students will be expected to complete any remaining courses, including a CRM simulator course, and time build to 350 total time.
Complete your remaining courses while building your flight time, and receive your start date with Southern Airways Express!
Complete any remaining courses and work on building your time. Cadets will need to continue updating Southern monthly with updates on hours and remaining licenses.
Transition to Southern Airways Express!
Once you have met all requirements, you will be given your official class with Southern and will begin your transition to your new career. Congratulations!
What is the cost for the Airline Direct Program?
Airline Direct Program – Domestic Students
Zero Experience to Commercial Multi Engine
Total Course Tuition: $83,866.01 USD
Starting with Instrument Course
Total Course Tuition: $47,719.01 USD
Crew Resource Management Course
CRM Simulator Course $3,060 US
Time-building (as needed)
$149.10 USD per hour
The Airline Direct Program includes 5 courses:
- Private Pilot Course
- Instrument Rating Course
- Commercial Single-Engine Initial Course
- Commercial Multi-Engine Add-on Course
- Crew Resource Management Simulator Course
TOTAL TUITION: $83,866.01
TOTAL COURSE TIME: 10 months
Is the Airline Direct Program right for me?
Epic’s Airline Direct Program is designed for students who are interested in working directly for the airlines after completing commercial single- and multi-engine commercial pilot training instead of becoming a flight instructor. Although flight instruction is a great way to gain experience and build flight time, it’s not always the best pathway for everyone. This is why Epic is offering the Airline Direct Program in collaboration with Southern.
How does the Airline Direct Program work?
All Epic flight students begin training in the Private Pilot (PPL) course, then go on to Instrument Rating (IR) and Commercial Single- and Multi-Engine (CSEL/CMEL) ratings. After completing these courses with 350 flight hours, students then have two options: 1) go on to Certified Flight Instructor courses, or 2) apply to the Airline Direct Program.
Upon completion of all courses and meeting the required hours for the program, Southern Airways will hire them to fly second-in-command (SIC) under FAR 135 certification. After flying 1,000 hours SIC, pilots are eligible for captain upgrades, although this occurs based on company need and availability.
Where are Southern Airways Express bases located?
Visit the SAE website to view bases.
What is the rate of pay at Southern?
Effective 2026:
- FO under 600 hours of Total Time = $12.00/block hour
- FO 600 hours plus + of Total Time = $18.00/block hour
- FO 900 hours plus + of Total Time = $21.00/block hour
- Once upgraded to Captain $55.00/block hour
Minimum monthly guarantee is 65 hours at all pay rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What types of aircraft are in the Southern Airways fleet?
A: Southern operates a fleet of Cessna Caravans, Grand Caravans, Citation Bravos, and King Airs.
Q: Where are Southern’s hubs located?
A: Southern, along with its Hawaiian brand, Mokulele Airlines, serves 37 cities with more than 220 peak-day departures from hubs at Baltimore, Dallas/Ft.Worth, Honolulu, Kahului, Memphis, and Pittsburgh, plus seasonal hubs at Palm Beach and Nantucket.
Q: What will I be paid flying for Southern Airways?
A: Each cadet will sign an employment agreement with Southern that spells out the flying commitment (1,000 hours SIC, 600 hours PIC), salary, and benefits. Rate of pay will be determined by which hub you are based at and other factors.
Q: Why does this training include Multi-Engine time?
A: Students in the Airline Direct Program receive 20 hours of multi-engine training. This is because, in order to qualify for the ATP-CTP, you must have a minimum of 25 hours of multi. This program bypasses time-building as an instructor. Therefore, you get your full training before you go straight to the airline.
Q: When did Crew Resource Management training become a requirement to fly for the airlines?
A: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) made this recommendation in 1978. It has since become common practice.