Epic Buzz Vol. 9 Issue 3 | March 2026

Aircraft Mechanics Graduate in Erlanger, KY and New Smyrna Beach, FL

After months of hard work, students at both of our Aircraft Mechanic Schools graduated as FAA Part 147-certified aircraft mechanics. We celebrated with friends and family to honor and congratulate these students as we wish them all the best in their aviation journeys!

New Pilots

Our newest flight students arrived last month and are well underway in their training. We welcomed students at all campuses. Pictured here are New Smyrna Beach pilots.

Alumni News

Talk about a full-circle moment! Epic grads Captain Ahmed Refay (2009) and First Officer Juan Rua (2016) crossed paths in the cockpit recently while flying for flydubai. Seeing our graduates soar is what it’s all about! Are you an Epic alum? Check in with us and let us know what you’re up to!

United Airlines Visit

Thank you to our partners at United Airlines who visited the New Smyrna Beach campus to share details about the United Aviate Program. Many Epic graduates have already followed this exciting airline pilot pathway, and we appreciate the structure and support they provide to Epic pilots.

Keeping Current

Stay up to date with the latest news and articles from Epic! Check out Chief Flight Instructor Ray Altmann‘s article on Aviation Stalls and Captain Stephen Austin‘s article on Occluded Fronts. You can also check out our latest videos.

Specials

We invite you to check out our March specials to support flight training and aircraft mechanic training to see what works best for you. Our recruiters will work with you for a smooth enrollment process on your aviation journey. We look forward to welcoming you to the Epic family!

Field Trips

We are always happy to host field trips for local schools to our 12 campuses. What better way to introduce students to aviation careers than touring training facilities and airports? Epic is also happy to provide speakers to your school.

Goodyear Blimp

Each year during race week in Daytona Beach, the Goodyear Blimp can be seen on a regular basis. It frequently lands in New Smyrna Beach (EVB), and we always enjoy checking it out. This year, we were able to interview Chief Pilot and Airship Operations Manager Michael “Doc” Dougherty and learn all about this iconic aircraft. Check out our video to learn more!

Fun and Games

We recently hosted a student appreciation event at New Smyrna Lanes. Nothing like a night out bowling to unwind. Our students work hard, and we encourage them to take time off for some relaxation.

Pass Lists

Aircraft Mechanic Passes in February

Airframe

Stephen Pfeiffer (CVG)
Parker Pittman (EVB)
Rodney Roban (CVG)
Aaron Sherman (CVG)

Powerplant

Rainer Crandall (EVB)
Noah File (EVB)
Joseph Grimm (CVG)
Ashton Gebhardt (EVB)
Justin Parker (EVB)

Pilot First-Attempt Passes in February

Private Pilot

Parker Edward Koch
Zachery Stephen Webb (HEG)
Ella Bayard Woodruff
Bryant Mortensen Hadfield
Magnolia Ann Lemelin
Dean Patrick Altshuler (TUS)
Tenzing Sherpa (ADS)

Instrument Rating

Rebecca Lynn Dwyer
Dylan Don Peterson
Zane Bradley VanWingerden
Alexander Stuart Mclean
Garrett Edward Moore (ADS)
Marcus Landon Kleckner (ADS)
Brandon Edwin Maggio
Benjamin Daniel Noble
Brayden Zachary Brothers
Jett Anthony Valle
Lucas Craig Calkins (OCF)
Dylan Connor Howard
Earl Benjamin Whitehead-Rozar (TLH)
Jernimo Vanegas
Joshua Gregory Belitz
Amelia Ann Pellecchia
John Paul Justus (APA)

Commercial Single-Engine

Patrick Michael Huber
Matthew Francis Rohleder
Matthew Thomas Lee Merle
Searuddin Alakoozi
Kirk Robert Williams
Wilbur Dwayne Abraham
Vincente Joseph Ramirez
Connor Douglas Massey
Rafaella Cereser
Erik Russell Bols (ADS)
Austin Cole Brown (TLH)
Brandon Blake Turner
Sean Michael Anderer
Samuel John Greshin
Chad Ashley Rees (TUS)

Commercial Multi-Engine

Kieran Paul Mackay
Brandon David Chavannes
James Patrick Clancy
Ryland Callaway Davoli
Timothy Blaise Lopresti
Jeremy James Santana Franco

Certified Flight Instructor

Jackson Harris Yates
Noah Jacob Burrows
Joelys Hernandez Serrano
Anderson Scott Adams
Nathan Harmon DePrinzio
Lane Gregory Rolfs

Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument

Matthew William Novaria
Jordan Nicholas Loiseau
Sean Christian Hamilton
Demetri Kingston Gaulden Sims (HEG)
Katherine Kalie Campos
Liam Robert Flood
Isaac Eli Ribar
Steven Nathan Popovetsky (TLH)
Daniel Thomas Hersey
Connor Hayes Barnett
Jason Mark Adams (TLH)
Michael John Emil Banks

Multi-Engine Instructor

Tobias Buckley Pardey
Adriana Tamir Ayala Ronda

All pilots passed their checkrides on their first attempt at New Smyrna Beach (EVB) unless otherwise noted.