Love at First Flight: Handling Characteristics Make Every Aircraft Unique

Grumman AA1A maneuvers

Captain Judy in her AA1A (above) Maneuverability and handling characteristics vary from aircraft to aircraft. Aircraft handling characteristics are important. I initially trained in a docile Cessna 150 (C150) and a spunky Piper Tomahawk. I appreciated the C150’s stability and enjoyed the Tomahawk’s maneuverable handling characteristics. Shortly after completing my private pilot check ride, I noticed a cute little airplane practicing take-offs and landings. Looking to increase my experience, this looked to be a fun airplane to fly. I inquired at the airport office regarding this mysterious airplane. Three pilots owned the Grumman AA1A. One of the owners offered a flight and mentioned it was for sale. The AA1A’s light controls and quick responses proved love at first flight! Any more than a … Read more

Epic Buzz Vol. 3 Issue 1 | Jan. 2020

Epic Newsletter Jan 2020

Catch up on the latest happenings at Epic Flight Academy! Volume 3, Issue 1                                                                    January 2020 Epic Wins Best Workplace for 2019 Epic Flight Academy was acknowledged as one of the “Best Places to Work” in Volusia and Flagler Counties by the Daytona News-Journal for 2019. More than 130 employees comprise Team Epic, and we are very proud of this recognition. What a great way to cap our 20th anniversary year! A snapshot of 2019… 596 passed checkrides! Enrolled 390 students! 40,000+ hours of flight! Nearly 3,000 hours … Read more

Captain Judy’s Corner: The Need for Speed – Chasing a World Record!

Citation Mustang flown by Captain Judy Rice

Above: Captain Judy Rice stands next to the Citation Mustang in which she broke a world speed record. An aircraft speed record is no small thing. As the Citation approached Kangerlussuaq, Greenland (BGSF), I queried the Air Traffic Controller about their readiness as officiators for my Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), National Aeronautic Association (NAA) World Record Attempt. The controller responded, “Affirmative.” After landing, two airport officials assured the jet was fueled before giving a friendly wave as I taxied to the runway hold lines. After that, ATC cleared us direct to Reykjavik. In a heavy Danish accent, the air traffic controller remarked, “The clock is ready for your record-breaker, N178SF!” Kangerlussuaq, Greenland to Reykjavik, Iceland was a total of 727 nautical miles. I leveled … Read more

Epic Buzz Vol. 2 Issue 12 | Dec. 2019

Epic Buzz Dec 2019

Catch up on the latest happenings at Epic Flight Academy! Volume 2, Issue 12                                                                    December 2019 Your College Degree Awaits Why pay tens of thousands of dollars for a college degree when you can transfer your Epic Flight Academy training for 23 college credits at Daytona State College? You have the option to earn your A.S. degree at DSC as well as your Bachelor’s. Or, you can earn your A.S. and transfer to another college for your Bachelor’s if you move from the area. Best of all, … Read more

Epic Buzz Vol. 2 Issue 11 | Nov. 2019

Epic Buzz Nov 2019

Sponsors Supported $27,500 in 2019 Epic Scholarship Awards Congratulations to our 4th Annual Epic Flight Academy Aviation Scholarship winners! New Smyrna Beach Mayor Russ Owen presented a $20,000 scholarship to Trace Martinson from St. Augustine, FL (pictured above) and a $5,000 scholarship to Bronwyn Rees (in absentia) from Rockledge, FL. We received 22 applications from 8 states. We were also thrilled to present a special $2,500 scholarship to Andrew McCarthy, a current Epic student. Read all about our scholarship winners! We send a warm thank you to our generous sponsors who made it possible to award $27,500 this year: Textron/Cessna, Air Wisconsin, and Piedmont Airlines were our major scholarship sponsors. Thanks to New Smyrna Outfitters for supporting our fishing tournament, which in turn supports scholarships. Thanks to all of our generous sponsors for making this year’s event a success, and thanks to the hundreds … Read more

This is your Captain speaking…

This is your Captain Speaking

Captain Judy’s Corner: The Importance of Understanding the Ignition System You have envisioned sitting in the left seat announcing to the passengers, “This is your Captain speaking, sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.” Awaking from your dream, you look over at the mounds of study material open on the desk. What do I need to know to become a pilot? Nothing as an Earthling prepares a student for the amount of what seems like alien knowledge and skills required to become a pilot. A few examples of this knowledge required to earn a certificate are the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) comparable to studying a legal document; then understanding weather as an amateur meteorologist; and, one of my favorite examples, … Read more

Epic Buzz Vol. 2 Issue 10 | Oct. 2019

Epic Buzz Newsletter Oct 2109

Catch up on the latest happenings at Epic Flight Academy! Volume 2, Issue 10                                                                   October 2019 Scholarship Awards: Saturday, October 26th Our 4th Annual Epic Flight Academy Aviation Scholarship event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 26, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. New Smyrna Beach Mayor Russ Owen will present a $20,000 scholarship and a $5,000 scholarship to our winners. This scholarship is open to U.S. high school juniors and seniors who have until Oct. 11 to apply. There will also be a special $2,500 scholarship presented to … Read more

Captain Judy’s Corner: Hurricanes – What’s in a name?

Nat Geo Hurricane Tracks over 10 years

10-Year Hurricane Track (2005-2015)Source: National Geographic Did you know that “Huracan” was the god of big winds and evil spirits worshiped by the Maya people of Central America? Hurricane preparedness is serious business. While people have been naming major storms for hundreds of years, meteorologist first named hurricanes by the latitude and longitude coordinates where the storm was located. This system of tracking was confusing to people seeking hurricane information. In the early 1950s, the U.S. National Hurricane Center started the process by naming storms according to a phonetic alphabet, such as: Able, Baker, Charlie. The first hurricane of each season was always named “Able,” the second “Baker,” and so on. (This was also part of the early alpha codes, … Read more

Epic Buzz Vol. 2 Issue 9 | September 2019

Epic Newsletter September 2019

Catch up on the latest happenings at Epic Flight Academy! Volume 2, Issue 9                                                                    September 2019 Epic Alumnus Makes Historic Flight We received a fascinating update from former Epic student Ben Smith. Unlike most of our students, flying is a hobby for Ben, not a career. For fun he flies “Placid Lassie,” the C-47 that was based here at EVB last year. This past summer, Ben led 15 C-47s/DC-3s across the Atlantic as the D-Day Squadron flying this route: KOXC-> Goose Bay, Labrador -> Narsarsuaq, Greenland -> … Read more

Once Upon a Time: Filing a Flight Plan

Captain Judy Rice

Captain Judy Rice found the ICAO International Flight Plan form beneficial during her world flight. This fairy tale began long before the FAA announcement for change to the form used by United States pilots when filing a flight plan. The purpose of a flight plan might be compared to going on a long drive to visit a relative. You let your relative know the overall anticipated travel arrangements, and you include approximate time of arrival. An overdue arrival would likely cause concern, and your relative will likely call you to make sure you’re alright. A flight plan is much like having your relative on the other end of your destination. What is the history of filing a flight plan? Long … Read more

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