Density Altitude

Density Altitude Article

Captain Judy’s Corner: Density Altitude After all, airplanes don’t feel. Or, do they? How does hot, humid air affect flying? The cockpit felt like a sauna in the Arizona heat. Not only was I enduring the summer heat, but so was the airplane. How might an airplane suffer from heat? After all, airplanes do not feel? Or do they? Flying on a cool Florida morning or evening, you will notice ample runway remaining before lift-off and how eager the airplane climbs. Fly on a hot, muggy afternoon, and the runway remaining before lift-off will be far less. The airplane would climb much slower, as well. Temperature, pressure, and moisture (dewpoint) in the air affects our airplanes’ performance: an increase required … Read more

Epic Buzz | Vol. 2 Issue 5 | May 2019

Epic Buzz Vol. 2 Issue 5

Catch up on the latest happenings at Epic Flight Academy! Volume 2, Issue 5                                                                    May 2019 Air Wisconsin Visits Epic Representatives from Air Wisconsin Airlines visited Epic Flight Academy on April 18th to discuss hiring opportunities. Pilot Recruiter Enrique answered questions about joining the Air Wisconsin team. New hire First Officers are eligible for up to $57,000 in bonuses and enjoy some of the best benefits in the regional industry. Air Wisconsin also has part-time positions for pilots still building hours that might be right for you! Epic maintains a close … Read more

Ready for Attitude Flying?

Avoid Hazardous Attitudes

Captain Judy’s Corner: Avoid Hazardous Flying Attitudes Is it important to verify checkpoints? Hazardous flying attitudes can occur at any time. I knew myself fairly well when I started flying lessons at age 40. Or so I thought. The long solo cross-country was when I discovered what I did not know. During that flight, I had not properly timed or verified checkpoints resulting in becoming completely off-course. My drive home from this particular flight provided reflection on how to be a better pilot. I’d replayed each skill set. I flew the airplane well and used the checklist regularly but was consistently lost. What surprised me was how many times I said to myself, “That check point is only slightly off … Read more

Epic Buzz | Vol. 2 Issue 4 | April 2019

Epic Buzz Vol. 2 Issue 4

Catch up on the latest happenings at Epic Flight Academy! Volume 2, Issue 4                                                                    April 2019 Student Success Spotlight Both from Korea, Jin Ho Choi (L) and Cheolhong Lee (R), became friends during their pilot training here at Epic. These hard working flight students have just completed their Commercial Pilot training, and they have some good advice for new students wanting to complete their training as quickly as possible: “Fly backseat on each other’s flights as much as possible to maximize learning opportunities!” That’s great advice! Flying backseat gives you … Read more

Aeromedical Part 2: Hypoxia

Hypoxia Captain Judy Rice

Captain Judy Rice and Navigator Fred by their Cirrus SR22T during the National Tour Captain Judy’s Corner: Aeromedical Part 2 – Hypoxia “Are my lips blue…?” Hypoxia aeromedical awareness matters. The Cirrus SR22T effortlessly reached the altitude of 8,500 MSL. The turbocharged airplane had a built-in oxygen system for higher altitudes. The maximum altitudes along our 3-month national tour would not exceed 10,000 MSL. It seemed unlikely we would be using the Cirrus oxygen system according to oxygen requirements when flying 12,500 MSL for over 30 minutes as stated in FAR 91.211. We had reached our crossing altitude before approaching the Arizona mountain ridges. I focused on clearing the ridges with ample altitude if encountering turbulence. We were safely on … Read more

Epic Buzz Vol. 2 Issue 3 Mar. 2019

Epic Buzz Vol. 2 Issue 3

Catch up on the latest happenings at Epic Flight Academy! Volume 2, Issue 3                                                                    March 2019 Success! Stephen Salim is an Epic student from Indonesia who completed his flight training in amazing time. He started his Private Ground School on August 13, 2018 and completed his CMEL on February 20, 2019! That’s just 6 months from zero experience to CMEL! When asked how he was able to accomplish such a feat, Stephen said, “Study 6 to 8 hours a day, 7 days a week!” That’s commitment! Congratulations, Stephen! Your … Read more

Aeromedical Part 1: Motion Sickness

Motion Sickness Aeromedical Conditions

Captain Judy’s Corner: Aeromedical Part 1 – Motion Sickness “I alerted my aerobatic instructor…” My earliest memory of riding in a car was leaning out the window for fresh air and positioning my head carefully into a brown paper bag while my stomach was churning. My parents reassured that eventually I would outgrow these queasy moments. At a very young age, I learned to avoid looking down, such as looking at picture books, if I were inside a moving vehicle. I also always had water, sat next to a window, and if all of these precautions did not work, then the brown paper bag was nearby. Can flying a plane cause motion sickness? My first experiences as a student pilot … Read more

Technology and Problem-Solving

Captain Judy Rice Madrid

Madrid, Spain: Captain Judy Rice with Madrid students Captain Judy’s Corner: Pilot Technology and Problem-Solving “Our fuel stop was forecasting ceilings (clouds) at the lowest landing minimums and a slow moving line of thunderstorms…” Pilots rely on technology and problem-solving skills. My crew met me in the lobby for a quick cup of coffee before checking weather and then pre-flighting the Citation. We had our flight plan on file from our departure: Regina, Canada (CYQR) to Churchill, Canada (CYYQ) for a fuel stop, and then to Iqaluit, Canada (CYFB). This would be our final destination on our second night of this world flight voyage. Our fuel stop was forecasting ceilings (clouds) at the lowest landing minimums. There was a slow-moving … Read more

What is IACRA?

What is IACRA

What is IACRA, and why is it important to pilots? IACRA stands for: Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application. The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) in in charge of pilot license applications and oversees the process. This is to make sure pilots meet all requirements. It is a web-based system where pilots can apply, monitor, and obtain their certifications and ratings. Pilot training is more than flying. Pilots also have to learn the rules, regulations, and procedures that govern flight and pilot credentials. How does IACRA work? IACRA FAA offers a progression of pilot certificates or licenses. They begin with the student pilot and including subsequent licenses and ratings. For example, they include private pilot license and commercial pilot license. Each … Read more

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