Epic Buzz Vol. 9 Issue 7 | July 2026

First Cohort of Air Force Pilots Graduate from Epic

Epic Flight Academy recently celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of U.S. Air Force pilots who completed Initial Pilot Training (IPT) at Epic’s New Smyrna Beach campus. Epic trained these officers under an Educational Service Agreement with the Air Force. During the program, pilots earn their Private Pilot License (PPL), Instrument Rating (IR), and Private Pilot Multi-Engine Add-on (AMEL). Officers complete their training in 139 days or less.

Aircraft Mechanics Graduate in New Smyrna Beach

Months of hard work have paid off, and we were thrilled to graduate this smiling class of aircraft mechanics at the New Smyrna Beach campus last month. They are ready to launch into new careers as FAA-certified aircraft mechanics! Our CVG campus also graduated a class of aircraft mechanics last month.

New Aircraft Mechanic Students Begin Training at CVG

Welcome to our newest class of aircraft mechanic students at our Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport campus! We are excited to watch them progress in their aviation journey over the next 15 months as they train to become FAA Part 147-certified airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanics.

EVB Campus Welcomes New Flight Students

Let’s fly! We welcomed flight students from around the globe last month at all of our campuses. They will start their training at various levels based on prior experiences, with most starting on their private pilot license (PPL).

New Article: Success of International Flight Students

Epic has proudly trained thousands of pilots from more than 110 countries. They fly for 300+ airlines around the world.

Chief Flight Instructor Ray Altmann has shared a new article describing how international students ensure their success in flight school. Check it out! You’ll learn a few tips toward your own flight training success and more about international student pilots at Epic.

Pilot & Aircraft Mechanic Training Specials

Your dream to begin aviation training could happen sooner than you think. Check out our specials this month for pilot training. Our team will work with you to find the best pathway to get you on your way!

Epic Alumni Career Updates

Sharing career updates from our graduates is something we look forward to each month. Whether you trained as an aircraft mechanic or pilot, we hope you’ll share your news with us. We are so proud of these graduates and love sharing your success stories! In fact, we’d love to have you visit any of our campuses and speak to our current students. If you’re interested, please let us know!

Pedro Henrique Magro

Pedro Henrique Magro is a First Officer flying the A320/321 for Azul Brazilian Airlines. At Epic, he earned his PPL, IR, CSEL, and CMEL ratings. He shared these kind words about his training:

“I couldn’t have achieved this dream without the support and training I received at Epic. A huge thanks to all the flight instructors and Epic staff who have been part of my journey and somehow helped me along the way.”

Pedro also offered some great advice for flight students: “Believe and be ready and never stop chasing what you can’t go a single day without thinking about.”

Jed Stone

Congratulations to Jed Stone, a First Officer flying the A320 for JetBlue Airways.

Jed trained as a flight instructor here and did so well we hired him! As an Epic CFI, Jed trained many Epic pilots while time-building before leaving us to fly for the airlines.

Shiv Suresh Pai

Shiv Suresh Pai is a First Officer flying the A320. He is a First Officer at IndiGo Airlines in India. Shiv earned his instrument and commercial ratings here and shared these thoughts about his time at Epic:

“Epic Flight Academy was an amazing flight school to be in. Excellent instructors with top-tier knowledge and the ability to create a great learning environment. The facilities and infrastructure were some of the best in Florida. Everybody’s always smiling, and that’s the kind of school you want to learn flying from.”

Top Prop Winner at CVG

Jesse Tenkman won the Top Prop award in June at the CVG campus for earning the highest overall score in the propellor class. Thanks to instructor Troy Brevik for his support, and congratulations to Jesse! Hard work pays off!

Pass Lists

Aircraft Mechanic Passes in June

Airframe

Julian DiCarlantonio (CVG)
Anthony Miller (CVG)
Bradley Oda (CVG)
David Quintana (EVB)

Powerplant

Diane Aucoin (EVB)
Cory Bloomfield (CVG)
Christian Boria (EVB)
Tyler Burick (CVG)
Anthony Cooney (CVG)
Andrew Kent (CVG)
Tyler Kroell (CVG)
Kevin Lin (EVB)
Matthew Pfieffer (CVG)
Stephen Pfieffer (CVG)
Eddie Reynoso (EVB)
Aaron Sherman (CVG)
Andrew Stevenson (CVG)
Richard Ramos (EVB)

Pilot First-Attempt Passes in June

Private Pilot

Steven Arthur Newcomb
Carson Scott Barrow
Strattin Ray Gillis (OCF)
Abiezer Diosmire Artiles
Cayden Daniel Dertz (APA)
Jeffrey Kihamaiso Mwesige
Jonah Edward Easley
Dallin James Tucker (PVU)
Hunter Davis Beach
David Terrero (HEG)
Gabriel Adrian Orbe
Holden Cruz Lagos
Lauren Elizabeth Rogers
Kenneth Daniel Hines
Andres Agustin Maranges
Jack Richard Nance (APA)

Instrument Rating

Dean Patrick Altshuler (TUS)
Tyler Starr Logan (TUS)
Abigal Emily Holmes (TUS)
Addison Paul Honsey (HEG)
Magnolia Ann Lemelin
Parker Edward Koch
Zarian Maxwell Anthony Dean
Adam Charles Jaeckle (HEG)
David Ron Rajan (OCF)
Frederick Wilson Bucholz
Ryan David Denney (APA)
Nicholas Efrain Baez (APA)
Tasneem Jahan Priyanka
Rabbi Buute Loota
Harrison Richset Riwu Kore
Alexander Matthew Logan

Commercial Single-Engine

William Cole Bakeman (TUS)
Dane Frederick Kinninger
Triston Allen
Jagnoor Kaur
Kenique Shyeem Ashad Covington
Mason Marion Hunt
Brayden Zachary Brothers
Sheran Wahid
Jaden Bruno John Pinto
William Michael Groetz
Sage Dalta Sweatt
Maximus Gjini
Gireendra Achaibar
Katiana Cabus (OCF)

Commercial Multi-Engine

Michael Reynold Thomas
Jakob Ryan Gamble
Cole Michael Gannon
Shemuel Ben Joel Ortiz
Sydney Elaine Wilke
Roxanne Valerie Bartlett
Jose Alejandro Jimenez
Sebastian Decastro Marrero
Daniel Scott Brown

Certified Flight Instructor

Jonathan Gulick
Christopher Scott Moon
Jonah Robert Simons
Tyler Michael Conti
Wyatt Keoni Letender
Byron Rene Ruiz
Derrick Chavarria Fuentes
Benjamin McRae Solz (TLH)
Sebastian Maurente

Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument

Kyle Irwin McCane
Connor Douglas Frisch
Kert Michael Scheimreif
Matthew George Morandi
Austin Lee Schad (TUS)
Logan John Dochtermann
Binh Hoang Thai Le
Ellie Oneal Brannan (TLH)
Brandon Joseph Parker
Isaac Alan Stover (SGU)
Michael Antonio DaSilva
Haegun Wayne Hoffschneider
Michael Anthony Rosenburg
Aubree Kaelen Seaney

Multi-Engine Instructor

Emma Josephine Wright
Reid Gordon Harvin
Genevieve Marie Gemignani

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