The Need for Speed

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. Captain Judy’s Corner: The Need for Speed Going for a world record! 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 … 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

Turbulence

Flight Turbulence

Pilots experience different types of turbulence during flight. Understanding turbulence can help you better respond when you face this situation. Captain Judy’s Corner: What is turbulence? What is the definition of turbulence? The definition of turbulence is a sudden, violent shift in airflow. It creates up and down currents caused by irregular atmospheric motion. We were in the clouds, Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), and flying in an area without radar coverage. My first officer (FO) was busy programming the Citation jet’s system with the latitude and longitude coordinates instructed by Bangladesh controllers. I focused on leveling the Citation at FL390 (39,000’). Suddenly the FO pointed upward exclaiming, “Oh my!” I looked up in the direction he had been pointing right … 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

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, … 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

Hurricane Preparedness

Nat Geo Hurricane Tracks over 10 years

10-Year Hurricane Track (2005-2015) Source: National Geographic Captain Judy’s Corner: Hurricanes – What’s in a name? Did you know that “Huracan” was the god of big winds and evil spirits worshiped by the Maya people of Central America? 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. Repeating names each season … 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. Captain Judy’s Corner: Once Upon a Time… Filing a Flight Plan 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 … Read more

Epic Buzz Vol. 2 Issue 8 | August 2019

Epic Newsletter August 2019

Catch up on the latest happenings at Epic Flight Academy! Volume 2, Issue 8                                                                   August 2019 Scholarship Recipient Ryan Groel Earns CPL Ryan Groel (left), pictured with FAA Examiner Steven Clegg, was an Epic scholarship recipient in 2017. Just 7 weeks after graduating high school, Ryan passed his CPL checkride. Read about Ryan’s flight training here. MORE EPIC NEWS… -Epic was featured in the news for its expansion of operations during its 20th year of operations. -Epic CFI Alex Orr has been nominated for NCAA Woman of the … Read more