Epic Flight Academy Receives FAA Approval for Self-Examining Authority

Updated September 16th, 2025

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Epic Flight Academy Receives FAA Self-Examining Authority — L-R: Flight instructor Tyler Hencken, student Lincoln Ulman, and Shane Williams, Director of Flight Operations celebrate Lincoln’s in-house pass at Epic Flight Academy, which now has FAA Self-Examining Authority. Lincoln passed his private pilot checkride in September 2025.

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SEPTMEBER 12, 2025

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New Smyrna Beach, Florida – The FAA has granted Epic Flight Academy self-examining authority to conduct in-house checkrides for private pilot and instrument ratings. This privilege provides benefits to both the school and the students.

Shane Williams, Director of Flight Operations, is pleased with the increased flexibility, saying, “Epic can now set checkride dates and times internally, avoiding delays caused by limited Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) availability. This reduces bottlenecks when many students are ready at the same time. Also, instructors and check airmen align training and testing closely, which promotes a uniform safety and evaluation culture.”

Ray Altmann, Chief Flight Instructor, emphasized benefits to students, adding, “Students can now avoid long wait times for a DPE and can schedule their checkrides soon after they’re ready. There is also a cost savings to for students.”

Several members of Epic’s senior flight instructing staff are designated to conduct the examinations, and more are expected to train and qualify as Epic continues to seek ways to enhance its Part 141 flight training operations.

First Epic in-house checkride pass — Logan Dochtermann (left) became Epic’s first in-house pass when he earned his instrument rating in August 2025. He is pictured with his instructor, Breyton Jackson.

Epic Flight Academy has been training pilots since 1999. It is the largest FAA Part 141 flight school in the U.S. with multiple locations. Epic also trains aircraft mechanics at other sites under FAA Part 147.