Volume 5, Issue 9 | September 2022
First Graduating Class of Aircraft Mechanics
On July 28, 2022, the graduating class of seven aircraft mechanic students celebrated months of hard work in a graduation ceremony at the school after completing all coursework. They are: (L-R) Luke Hartpence, Damon Vallas, Michael Azarian, Chris Gavigan, Artem Ukolov, Aiden Skau, and Scott Cavato. Epic’s FAA Part 147 school launched during the outset of the pandemic, creating initial challenges. However, the first class pressed on to become FAA-certified A&P mechanics. Best of all, each of these freshly minted AMTs received job offers immediately upon graduation. Congratulations!
International Aircraft Mechanic Students
In other Part 147 news, the Department of State has authorized Epic to issue M1 visas for international students who wish to train as aircraft mechanics. Our next class begins on September 26th, and we are looking forward to welcoming students from around the world to train as FAA-certified aircraft mechanics. It only takes a few minutes to see if you’re eligible.
New Flight Students
Welcome to our newest class of Epic pilots! These flight students arrived in August and are already making great strides in their flight training. Epic trains pilots from all around the U.S. and more than 80 countries. We’d love to welcome you!
Ocala Location Has a New Flight Simulator
Our newest addition to the Ocala fleet – a new Frasca Cessna 172 Skyhawk G1000 glass cockpit flight simulator, flown here by flight student Dana McGowen. Flying in a sim allows pilots to fly all types of maneuvers in all types of weather safely and affordably. Whether you train at our New Smyrna Beach location or Ocala location, we’ve got you covered.
PSA AMT Career Seminars
Representatives from PSA Airlines hosted an Aircraft Mechanic Career Seminar at Epic last month. Aviation Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) are in high demand, and all airlines are recruiting. United Airlines reps will also be hosting a seminar for mechanics this month as will General Electric.
CommutAir Aviation Career Seminars
We also welcomed representatives from CommutAir to Epic who hosted hiring seminars for pilots and aircraft mechanics. CommutAir has increased starting pay to $100/hr for Captains and $75/hr for First Officers.
Girls in Aviation Day
Epic is joining Women in Aviation International to celebrate Girls in Aviation Day at both of our locations. Join us for the fun and to encourage girls to explore the wonderful world of aviation!
September Special for International Flight Students
Are you thinking about attending flight school with a friend? International flight students receive a special discount when they enroll with a friend. In September, we are offering our popular “Bring a Friend to Flight School” Special when you enroll with a friend. Both students will receive a $5,000 credit and free Private Pilot Ground School.
International students who enroll with a friend, with both paying their application fees between September 1, 2022 and September 30, 2022, are eligible for this special. You must enroll and begin training no later than January 1, 2023.
Epic Alumni News
We heard from several Epic graduates last month and can’t wait to share their achievements. Captain Lauren Williams flies the Falcon 900 for Lowe’s Home Improvement. She not only trained here at Epic, she worked on the line before becoming an Epic flight instructor. Anthony Vansell is a First Officer flying the King Air 350 for West Coast Charters. First Officer Marco Brito is the world’s newest certified side stick operator, flying the A320 for Allegiant. Aysegul Ozdamar is a First Officer with Turkish Airlines flying the A320. Dwayne Quick has become the newest Boeing 767 pilot for FedEx Express. Matt DeBurra is the newest First Officer at Spirit Airlines. He’ll be based In Florida flying the A320. D. Riley Johnson is a flight instructor at Auburn University. Mhayyar Alnabhany recently reached 2,000 flight hours! Mhayyar Is a First Officer flying for Air Tanzania. And Brayan Valencia is now flying the A321 at Republic. Congratulations to these outstanding Epic graduates on their many accomplishments! Wishing you blue skies, tail winds, and soft landings!
Are you an Epic graduate? If so, send us an update.
Captain Judy’s Corner
Have you ever wondered why Epic aircraft tails are red? Captain Judy Rice shares the story behind Epic’s distinctive red tails in her latest article about Epic’s red tail project. When you hear a plane overhead and look up, you’ll know it’s Epic if the tail is red!
Epic news also appeared in these publications: AFM Aero, Aviation Pros, Aero Crew New, and AOPA.
Employee News
Check out these smiling faces! Monica Bailey has moved to her new position of Parts & Purchasing Coordinator, and Sarah Rodriguez has started her new position as Assistant Manager of Admissions. We welcomed Niskarsha Karki to the recruiting team and Chaunte Holt to the housekeeping crew. We also welcome new Epic flight instructors Lester Dewalt, Brian Sheahan, Brendan Miller, Austin Stockwell, Alexander Hoth, Matthew Molina, Eddy Santos, and Trevor Brawn. Congratulations to all! We’re glad you’re a part of Team Epic!
AMT Exams
Congratulations to these aircraft mechanics who passed FAA exams!
Airframe Exam
Gavin Dietz
Holly Ledesma
Scott Cavato
Aiden Skau
Artem Ukolov
AMT Graduate (Powerplant Exam)
Michael Azarian
Luke Hartpence
Damon Vallas
Check Rides
Congratulations to these students who passed check rides on their first attempt in August!
Private Pilot
Chuan-Sheng Lin
Christopher Thomas Kerpsack
James McKeown Obeng-Gyasi
Sofia Perez Villarreal
Michael Emir Estrada Torres
Instrument Rating
Samip Shrestha
Yesenia Thays Gonzalez
Lisa Foegen
Amerani Ahmed Amerani
Quoc Thang Nguyen
Minh Duc Do
Dustin Lee Folkema
Sebastien Caron
Commercial Single-Engine
Elionel Contreras Pabon
Passion Tiara Bragg
Andrew Joseph Leonard
Jeremy Roque James Ferrer
Caden Lee Seim
Bryce Cameron Dawson
Alexander Edward Mac Millan
Eric Manuelle Santiago Santiago
Cansu Cildir
Commercial Multi-Engine
Nicholas Jake Vandiver
Nicholas McFadden Wiegers
Harrison Merica Lutz
Christopher Brian Hakanson
Juan Andres Utani Fernandez
Michael Gabriel Rivera
Michael Alexander Brooks
Derek Joseph Gaulden
Paola Lisbeth Idrovo Moyano
Ryan Mancini Hansel Bethell
Certified Flight Instructor
Brandon Cole Rollins
James Ryan MacArthur
Conrad Laurence Dawson
Julianna Noel Jones
Ting-Hao Lao
Brady Thomas Rollins
Brice Christopher Grubb
Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument
Lester Hayden Dewalt
Kataleen Ivette Vargas Hernandez
Kendra Anne Piros
Cory Lee Peterson
Vaughn Andrew Ellis
Ethan Kenney Miter
I really want to operate Small Planes & commercial Aircrafts at 16 years old Lester Do You Understand.
Training requirements vary. U.S. flight students must be 16 to begin training in our program. International students must be 17 to begin. Learn more here.