Vol. 6, Issue 10
Orlando Sentinel Names Epic Flight Academy a “Top Workplace”
For the second year in a row, the Orlando Sentinel named Epic a “Top Workplace” in Central Florida. We are especially proud of this recognition, because it is based on private surveys completed by our staff. Several staff members (pictured) attended a special luncheon to receive the award. Back row, L-R: Alex Kish, Marylou Preston, Selena Davis, and Andrew Leonard. Front row, L-R: Robyn Vivona, Stephanie Babian, Jessica Young, and Shiang Lu.
Thank you to every Epic team member for all you do to support our students! We are a Top Workplace because we have a Top Team! Congratulations to all!
New Flight Students
New pilot orientation for our newest class of flight students! The month of September brought us a wonderful group of flight students who have moved straight from orientation into training. We will enjoy watching them earn their wings!
Aircraft Mechanics Graduate as New Class Begins
Congratulations to our recent graduates of the Aircraft Mechanic program. Josh Rawlins, COO and Director of Part 147 Operations presented diplomas to our newest A&P mechanics in a ceremony attended by friends and family. Congratulations to Patrick Soler, Brandon Root, Andrew-Keoni Kalama, Selena Davis, and Andruw Bunch. These five worked incredibly hard over the past 19 months to achieve their A&P certificates.
We were also excited to welcome our newest class of aircraft mechanic students (pictured below during orientation). These 28 students have completed their first week of training. Here’s to bright futures for all!
Progress at CVG and TUS
A lot is happening at our soon-to-open campuses! Construction of our new Aircraft Mechanic School at CVG is on schedule for Spring 2024, and our Tucson ((TUS) flight school will be ready for the Grand Opening on October 27th. We are accepting applications for both aircraft mechanic students and flight students.
Alumni News
We love hearing updates from those who trained at Epic! Congratulations to Haruna Mahmud who trained here in 2016. He is now a First Officer flying the B737 NG for Asky Airlines. We also caught up with Javier Martinez who trained here back in 2018 and also worked at Epic for a while. He is now a First Officer at United Airlines and is pictured here with his family who are surely as proud of him as we are!
If you’re an Epic graduate, send us an update!
Field Trips
Epic welcomed two groups of students to our New Smyrna Beach campuses last month. The Empire group of the Black Pilots of America toured our New Smyrna Beach campus. Students from Econ River High School toured the Aircraft Mechanic School in New Smyrna Beach. We invite teachers to bring their students for a field trip or request a guest speaker for career days and other school events.
Epic Out and About
Epic representatives attended the Latino Pilots Association Expo in Orlando (top and right). Jonell Abrao (white shirt) flew in from the Philippines to help, and Tyren Wilson and his granddaughter (right) met up with our friends from Aviate. Epic showed up for Girls in Aviation Day at Ocala International Airport (bottom). Four Epic pilots served as excellent role models. L-R: Kendra Piros, Emily Pollard, Lauren Faberlle, and Dana McGowen.
Epic Staff News
We welcomed a dozen new flight instructors to Epic and several other key staff members last month. Our new instructors include: Adam Haiboub, Blake Anderson, Cody Young, Emily Micallef, Emily Pollard, Franklin Rujano, Jacob Niewinksi, James Boman, Jiwoo Lim, Kyle Sears, Olivia Fuentes, and Shannon Kelly.
Other new staff members include Recruiter Aeysha Al-Mansour, Dispatchers Ashlyn MacVeigh and Sarah Williams, Scheduler Jennifer Krafft, Accounting Clerk Jessica Young, and Parts & Purchasing Coordinator Lana Sands. Check out everyone’s full bio on their staff profiles. Welcome to Epic!
Staff Spotlight: Jonell Abrao
Jonell Abrao has worked for Epic since 2016, but his first visit to campus was just last month. Jonell lives in beautiful Philippines and is an invaluable team member. He oversees our live chat and works on dozens of projects. While here, he took a discovery flight and and discovered firsthand the thrill of flying. Everyone was thrilled to meet him in person since he has helped everyone on campus with various projects. Jonell and his team work with diligence and integrity to support our students, and we appreciate him so much!
United Airlines Aviate Career Seminar
Recruiters from United Airlines’ Aviate Program hosted a career seminar for Epic pilots last month. Many Epic graduates go on to fly for United, and Aviate provides the perfect pathway.
Aircraft Mechanic Exams
Congratulations to these aircraft mechanic students who passed FAA exams last month!
Airframe
Brandon Root
Andruw Bunch
Christian Gavigan
Powerplant (A&P Mechanics)
Andrew-Keoni Kalama
Pilot Check Rides
These flight students passed check rides on their first attempt in September!
Private Pilot
MD Mahmud Hasan
S M Ridwan Mohmud Rafi
Ian Wesley Slentz (TLH)
Efty Kar Rashid
Christopher Raymond Paul
Samia Naushin Shara
Channing Eli Prichard (TLH)
Tyler Joseph Holmes
Mason Robert Wright (TLH)
Rafiul Alam
Nabil Walid Suhan
MD Sheam Uddin Sadi
MD Roufir Hasan
Instrument Rating
Kevin Bryce Gagne
Cesar Sampaio Borges Filho
Commercial Single-Engine
Hisham Rashad Zohary
Andrew Abdelmalak
Robert Russell Carroll
Gretchen Marie Mayhew
Jack Nicholas De Gracia
Anthony Alexander Samuel
Alexander Patrick Korbas
Cody DeWayne Harrison (TLH)
Jeongahn Shin
Samuel Eromosele Omohan
Commercial Multi-Engine
Joseph Daniel Hill
Olivia Nicole Fuentes
Passion Tiara Bragg
Nayanne Pinto Aponte
Vinh Tho Le
Igor Dos Santos Sa
Alexander William Corkery
Raul Cabrera Sanapi
Thang Manh Doan
Michael Andre Chavez Arevalo
Certified Flight Instructor
Jake Evart Hallem
Eliyomar Medina Soto
Emily Anne Pollard
Moira Catherine Hedrick
Brice Anthony Edwards
Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument
Andrew Joseph Leonard
Caroline Bea Gaillet
Blake Tyler Anderson
Multi-Engine Instructor
Cansu Cildir