NOTAMs

Decoding NOTAMs

Decoding NOTAMs: Hanoi to Hong Kong Captain Judy’s Corner The Citation jet was ready for departure at Hanoi, Vietnam (VVNB) with a destination Hong Kong (VHHH). Weather was agreeable along our entire route. The NOTAMs were an issue. Acquiring the most current weather and NOTAMs can be challenging when flying international. For example, each country will have a different responsible agency to contact for this information. Once the pilot locates the agency, they must often pay a fee and apply for ramp access to the facility. Airlines provide this information to the crew. General aviation pilots can pre-purchase this information through a commercial contractor or locate the agency on their own. During our 2015 World Flight, we pre-purchased these services. … Read more

Epic Buzz Vol. 5 Issue 6 | June 2022

June 2022 Buzz Newsletter

Epic and Republic announce new program, new students arrive, Air Wisconsin event, alumni news, first time passes, and more… Volume 5, Issue 6 | June 2022 Republic Airways Program Representatives from Republic Airways visited campus recently to speak to Epic pilots about the new Republic Airways and Epic Flight Academy Career Pipeline Interview Program. Republic Airways Campus Recruiter Bradley Murphy said, “We’re thrilled to establish this partnership with Epic Flight Academy to hire their best to become Republic Airways Pilots, Cadets and Ambassadors. We’re proud to see Epic alumni enter our flight decks, and this partnership will allow that pipeline to grow over the years to come.”  The program provides an opportunity for Epic pilots to become candidates for pilot positions during … Read more

Epic Buzz Vol. 5 Issue 5 | May 2022

Epic Buzz May 2022

Epic Ocala facility opens, United visits Epic, NASA event, staff and alumni news, first time passes, and more Volume 5, Issue 5 | May 2022 Epic Cuts Ribbon in Ocala It’s official! On Saturday, April 23rd, the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership joined Epic staff to cut the ribbon and officially open our newest location. The new flight school is at the Ocala International Airport. We welcomed members of the public to our Open House, and several people enjoyed seeing Ocala from the air as they took Discovery Flights with Epic pilots. We appreciate the warm welcome from our new friends in Ocala and look forward to training many pilots there.  Aircraft Mechanic Students We only have a few seats left … Read more

PIREPs

Cross-Country Adventure PIREPs

Captain Judy’s Corner: Cross-Country Adventure with PIREPs Sunrise brings the promise of perfect flying weather! Today is a satisfying day to apply your knowledge to practice with the long solo cross-country. Therefore, your private pilot check ride prep will follow.  You arrive at Epic Flight Academy obtaining a final review on weather before departure. There are ample computers in the flight planning area connected to Aviation Weather. The METeorogical Aerodrome Report (METAR), Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF), graphic weather, radar and satellite imaging, prognostic charts all indicate departure, enroute weather, and destination are visual flight rules (VFR). There are currently no pilot reports, also called PIREPs, along your route. A call to 800-WX-BRIEF Flight Service Station (FSS) briefer verified the VFR online … Read more

Epic Buzz Vol. 5 Issue 4 | April 2022

Epic Buzz Newsletter April 2022

Polk State College Partners with Epic Aircraft Mechanic Program Polk State College has signed an articulation agreement with Epic that allows graduates from Epic’s Aircraft Mechanic Program to transfer their A&P certificate for 30 credit hours toward an AS degree in Aviation Maintenance Administration. Eric Crump, Aerospace Program Director at Polk State College said, “Polk State College is proud to partner with Epic Flight Academy to help address the critical need for qualified aviation maintenance technicians. Together, we can provide our graduates with the skills they need to be successful throughout their career journey.” We invite you to check out our FAA-certified Part 147 aircraft mechanic school. Training lasts just 19 months, and we have many aviation hiring partners, including FEAM. The aircraft … Read more

FAA Medical Deferral

Appealing an FAA Medical Deferral

Captain Judy’s Corner: One Flight Student’s Recipe for Success in Dealing with an FAA Medical Deferral This month, Captain Judy Rice spotlights Epic flight student Bryce Dawson‘s recipe for success in navigating challenges with his FAA medical deferral. Captain Judy interviewed Bryce for this inspirational article about one student’s journey to become a pilot. Combine the following ingredients and adjust for best results: Background December 23,1997, Paul Dawson, risk insurance agent, and Paula Dawson, public school teacher, welcomed their firstborn and named him Bryce. Brother Connor came along 23 months later.  The Dawsons raised their children with their same high standards for work ethic, determination, and professionalism. The children knew only these standards. Bryce shared, “My parents were always patience and supportive. Looking … Read more

Epic Buzz Vol. 5 Issue 3 | March 2022

Feb 2022 Buzz Newsletter

Epic takes deliver of a new Cessna, hosts airline seminars, awards scholarships, and more. Volume 5, Issue 3 | March 2022 Epic Takes Delivery of New Cessna Epic Flight Academy purchases all training aircraft new from the factory. Students and staff turned out to welcome the newest addition to the Epic fleet, a Cessna Skyhawk 172S Nav III. We flew this in directly from the Cessna/Textron factory in Kansas. Epic’s maintenance department has since painted the tail red to match the rest of the fleet. The red tails make the aircraft more visible, which is an added safety feature. Check Flight School Eligibility! Career Seminars Epic hosted three Career Seminars with representatives from Air Wisconsin, GoJet Airlines, and Republic Airways. Pilots and … Read more

What is turbulence, and why is it so scary?

Flight Turbulence

Does turbulence shake you up? It shouldn’t! Pilots experience different types of turbulence during flight. Understanding turbulence can help you better respond when you face this situation. What is the definition of turbulence? Flight turbulence is something most passengers hate. What is turbulence? The meaning of turbulence is a sudden, violent shift in airflow. It creates up and down currents caused by irregular atmospheric motion. You can also define turbulence as that sudden jerking you sometimes feel in an airplane! So, what does understanding turbulent flow have to do with safe flying? 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 … Read more

Epic Buzz Vol. 5 Issue 2 | February 2022

February 2022 Buzz

Epic announces Aviate Program in partnership with United Airlines and a new program with FEAM Maintenance.  Volume 5, Issue 2 | February 2022 Epic Partners with United Airlines to Offer Aviate Program At a press conference on January 11, 2022, we announced our new partnership with United Airlines. United staff, Epic staff, and New Smyrna Beach Mayor Russ Owen were on hand to announce the launch of the Aviate Program at Epic Flight Academy. We had an excellent turnout for the event, and Epic graduates are already applying to the program, which offers the most direct path to a United Airlines flight deck. GoJet Career Seminar Representatives from GoJet Airlines will be on site Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 3:30 pm to share hiring information. … Read more

Types of Pilot Licenses: From Part-Time Hobby to Lifetime Career and Everything In Between

You want to become a pilot, but did you know the FAA issues different types of pilot licenses? These vary by classifications, ratings, and various regulations. Depending on your pilot license and ratings, you will be licensed to fly different types of aircraft. Above all, you can even fly for commercial airlines as a paid professional certified pilot. Whether you’re an international student or American student, you just have to decide which pilot license meets your needs. Therefore, you need to think about your pilot goals. What is a pilot license? In simple terms, a pilot’s license, or pilot certificate, allows a person to be able to fly an aircraft. This is similar to a driver’s license allowing you to … Read more

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