Epic Buzz August 2025
Quick Navigation to Epic Buzz August 2025
Breaking News
- 1. Grand Opening at Tuscaloosa
- 2. Captain Judy Rice Exhibit Installed at New Smyrna Beach
- 3. From Fresh Starts to “We Did It!”
Airline Visits
- 4. Aviate Visits Tucson
- 5. Aircraft Mechanic Students Visit Endeavor Air
- 6. PSA Airlines Rep Visits Mechanics in New Smyrna Beach
- 7. CommuteAir Visits Centennial Airport Campus
Keeping Up at Epic
You’re Invited! Grand Opening at TCL
Join us on Saturday, August 30th, 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for the Grand Opening of our newest flight school campus at Tuscaloosa National Airport. Take a discovery flight, fly the simulator, meet staff, and enjoy refreshments!
Members of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama will host a Ribbon-Cutting on Friday, August 29th at 11:00 a.m. We’re thrilled to be spreading our wings in Alabama!
Captain Judy Rice Exhibit
One year ago, we lost a skilled aviator, a compassionate instructor, and a dear friend. Epic PPL Ground School Instructor Captain Judy Rice was all these things and more. Upon Judy’s passing, her son Ben donated many of her aviation artifacts to be displayed in the Captain Judy Rice Library at Epic’s New Smyrna Beach campus. Our team prepared an exhibit, and we invite you to stop by and see this lasting tribute to a most special and beloved pilot. We also prepared a video tribute to Captain Judy.
From Fresh Starts to “We Did It!”
While a fresh group of flight students (above) began training in New Smyrna Beach last month, CFI students at EVB (below) were jumping for joy upon completion of ground school! Whether you’re pilot training or aircraft mechanic training, there’s always a new milestone awaiting you! Welcome to all of our new students who joined us at our other locations around the country!
Aviate Visits Tucson
A representative from United Airlines’ Aviate program met with pilots at Epic’s Tucson campus last month. He explained the process to enroll in Aviate and begin a career path to the United flight deck.
Aircraft Mechanic Students Visit Endeavor Air
Our friends at CVG Workforce Development coordinated a visit to Endeavor Air for Epic’s CVG aircraft mechanic students. Students learned about Endeavor Air’s day-to-day operations, the locations in which they operate, and employee benefits. Students also enjoyed checking out a Bombardier CRJ900.
PSA Airlines Rep Shares Opportunities with Aircraft Mechanics
A PSA Airlines representative visited with aircraft mechanic students in New Smyrna Beach to share employment opportunities. As the aircraft mechanic shortage continues, students are finding exciting career opportunities waiting for them.
CommuteAir Visits Centennial Airport Campus
Thank you to the representatives from CommuteAir who visited with pilots at our Centennial Airport (APA) campus near Denver. Everyone was thrilled to learn about the exciting career opportunities that await.
August Specials for Pilot and Aircraft Mechanic Training
Looking to save money on your aviation training? Check out or specials! Whether you want to become a pilot or an aircraft mechanic, we’ve got you covered.
New Articles: Catch Up With the Experts!
Don’t miss out on our newest aviation articles about WINDSOCKS and DUTCH ROLL. Check them out!
You can also check out some recent press about Epic:
Epic Alumni News: Career Updates
Check out the latest Epic alumni career updates! We are so proud to share their good news.
Julian Diaz is now a First Officer flying the ATR 42/72 for Clic Air in Colombia.
Preet Patel is a flight instructor at Infinity Flight Group. He shared this advice for current Epic students:
“Make sure to live in the present. Don’t forget to have fun while you hustle. Your journey will make you who you are, so live every day of training to your fullest. Use every resource Epic has to offer and make the most of it. You have a better future waiting for you! Good luck, pilots!”
Wise advice! He also added these kind words about his Epic training:
“Epic Flight Academy has given me a platform that was resourceful enough to shape my career and make me a better aviator. Their policies on their operation are commendable and they sure follow through with them. As a student, If you are looking for help with anything, you will not have to ask twice. Definitely one of the best decisions I made.”
Jose Maximiliano Zorrilla Loza is a First Officer flying the A320 for LATAM Airlines.
We also heard from Rafiul Alam who is now a First Officer at US-Bangla Airlines!
Congratulations to these Epic alumni! If you’re an Epic grad, please send us a career update!
Student Visits
The Aviation Museum of Kentucky and CVG Workforce each brought groups of students to our Aircraft Mechanic School at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport last month. These students were engaged and asked lots of great questions during their field trips.
Epic Student Appreciation
We held several student appreciation events last month at our various campuses. For example, aircraft mechanic students in New Smyrna Beach (above) enjoyed a barbecue, and flight students at the Tallahassee campus made time for some volleyball in the sand.
Aircraft Mechanic Passes
Congratulations to these Epic aircraft mechanic students who passed their FAA exams in July!
Airframe
Nathan Allen (EVB)
Christopher Brown (EVB)
Kevin Durham (CVG)
Noah File (EVB)
Lucas Fribourg (CVG)
Andrew Hendrix (CVG)
Derin Karagozler (EVB)
Anthony Ramdin (EVB)
Powerplant
Anthony Clark (EVB)
Spencer George (EVB)
Pilot Checkride Passes
These flight students passed checkrides on their first attempt in July!
Private Pilot
Rafaella Cereser (EVB)
Justin Phillip Gallagher (TUS)
Austin Jake Peacock (EVB)
Kenique Shyeem Ashad Covington (EVB)
Dimosteni Chris Tripodianos (EVB)
Derek Christopher Schneider (EVB)
Malik Authwell Stevens (EVB)
Joshua Michael Mysicka (EVB)
Dylan Connor Howard (EVB)
Thomas William Winegardner III (EVB)
Thomas Jude Wahlgren (EVB)
Cole Michael Gannon (EVB)
Jeffrey James Brooks (EVB)
Jacob Todd Fuhrmann (EVB)
Instrument Rating
Brandon Luke Andrew Moze (EVB)
Alexander Brian Owczarczak (EVB)
Logan Patrick Sodl (EVB)
Maxwell Stewart Franklin (EVB)
Tristan Alejandro Taylor (EVB)
Oscar Andres Jimenez Lopez (EVB)
Gibson Lee Frost (EVB)
Jakob Ryan Gamble (EVB)
Jonathan Orlando Veloza (EVB)
Connor Douglas Frisch (EVB)
Tyler Francis Ritchie (EVB)
Payton Grace Woerner (EVB)
Ellie Oneal Brannan (TLH)
Steven Louis Wrablica (EVB)
Hun Lee (EVB)
Erik Nelson VanderWerf (TUS)
Commercial Single-Engine
Barrington Terelle Quashie (EVB)
Dawson James Almeroth (TUS)
Ryder Lucas Juliano (EVB)
Adriana Tamir Ayala Ronda (EVB)
Edward James Samson (EVB)
Corbin Douglas Ochs (EVB)
Hunter Adam Williams (EVB)
Timothy Blaise Lopresti (EVB)
Michael Antonio DaSilva (EVB)
Commercial Multi-Engine
Thai Quang Vo (EVB)
Geovany Torres (EVB)
Joshua Kyle Krasovec (EVB)
Vincent J Rubio Jr (EVB)
Kofi Opoku Agyei (EVB)
Terrance Kayne McNab North (EVB)
Emmalyn Elizabeth Longo (EVB)
Certified Flight Instructor
Ryan David Hansen (EVB)
Hannah Weiss (EVB)
Hudson Christopher Garber (EVB)
Racheal Suzanne Pletcher (EVB)
Collin Andrew Tolson (EVB)
Dillion Joseph Graham (TUS)
Andrew Michael Jung (EVB)
Emma Josephine Wright (EVB)
Jordan Nathaniel Walters (EVB)
Owen John O’Regan (EVB)
Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument
Isabella Didite Kebreau (EVB)
Michelle Yujin Yang (EVB)
Matthew Joseph Rothman (EVB)
Racheal Suzanne Pletcher (TLH)
James Joshua Simons (TCL)
Mila Eberly (EVB)
Multi-Engine Instructor
Luke Weston Bazel (EVB)
Greta Louise MacMillan (EVB)
Michael John Bashta (EVB)
Matthew Dante Marconi (EVB)
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