commercial pilot Archives

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

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

IACRA Made Simple: How It Helps Streamline FAA Applications

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

Epic Spotlight on Our Indian Flight Students

Saluting Epic Students from India Epic Flight Academy has trained thousands of pilots from around the world. This month, we’d like to feature some of our success stories from students who came all the way from India to train at Epic. Our Indian Pilot Program has proven successful for hundreds of Indian students. With 50,000 pilots needed in India by 2020, this is the perfect time to pursue a career in aviation. If you live in India and are looking for the right flight training program for you, read on. These success stories are inspiring, and you can contact us with questions. The aviation industry in India has never before offered such career opportunities. Mayank Goyal Meet Mayank Goyal who … Read more

Epic’s Colombian Flight Students

We are proud of our international students from 80+countries who have trained at Epic Flight Academy since 1999. Here we spotlight three of our best flight students from our Colombian Pilot Program. These young men did not know each other in Colombia. However, each one traveled here to live while studying at Epic to become a commercial pilot. No matter what country our students come from, they will meet other students from their home country who are also training to become commercial pilots. One of the nicest things we see is how students collaborate and help each other. They do this no matter what country they come from. Here at Epic, everyone is family! Meet Colombia Flight Student Diego Villalobos … Read more

Aviation Movies: Can Watching Films Help You Learn to Fly?

Wouldn’t it be great if you could sit down and watch a long list of entertaining aviation movies starring your favorite actors, and, as a bonus, you would learn how to fly? Well, we can’t say that will happen, but if you’re a flight student who is learning English, you just might want to check out this list of aviation movies. Although the movies were not made to teach you how to fly, they can definitely help you improve your English listening and comprehension skills, especially if you watch the film in English with English captions. (That way, you can hear a word and see it on the screen, which can be a great help in building your English comprehension.) … Read more

5 Unique Pilot Jobs You’ll Want to Know About

When you think about a career as a pilot, you probably picture a more traditional role, such as a commercial airline pilot or a certified flight instructor. The most exotic pilot job that people think of tends to be someone flying banners along the beach advertising the all-you-can-eat special at the local seafood joint. While all of these are certainly good jobs with good salaries, especially with the current shortage of commercial airline pilots, you may end up pursuing a different career path in aviation than you first envisioned. The following is not an exhaustive list of options for a career in flying, but they are our favorites in the “most unusual” category. In no particular order, here are some … Read more

Exploring the Different Types of Pilot Careers

Have you been thinking about starting a rewarding career as a professional pilot? With the growing worldwide pilot shortage, choosing a pilot career is smarter than ever. There is an old saying: “If you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life.” How would you feel if your office or work place was located in the cockpit of an airplane, turbo prop, small jet, airline jumbo jet, or any other type of aircraft while being thousands of feet up in the air? That is the ultimate feeling of flying and freedom. Not only that, pilot salaries have been soaring, too. If you have ever wanted to learn to fly and become a professional pilot, now … Read more

How to Choose the Best Pilot School and Start Your Journey to Becoming an Airline Pilot

Just as students go to college to pursue training for a dream career, student pilots have to go to pilot school so they can learn to fly a plane and earn their licenses and certifications required by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA). How to choose the best flight school is an important decision that impacts your aviation career path. Many students enroll in a flight school only to find themselves transferring to another school later on. Although we believe Epic Flight Academy is the best choice, there may be good reasons why you select a different flight school. We want you to choose what is best for you and hope that you find this information helpful. First question, why do … Read more