student pilot Archives

What is a checkride for pilots?

Think of the checkride as a final exam for pilots! Read on to learn what they are, how to prepare, and what to do if you need to retake the checkride. Practical Pilot Exam For a pilot, few events are more satisfying than passing a checkride and earning that certification! A pilot checkride is the FAA practical test required to receive a specific pilot certificate or rating, such as the Private Pilot License (PPL) or Instrument Rating (IR). This practical evaluation serves as a final exam following months of flight training. Under the supervision of a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), pilots practice maneuvers, prepare study materials, and build proficiency before being endorsed for the test. However, it’s the Designated Pilot … Read more

The Role of Women in Aviation: Past, Present, and Future

History of Women in Aviation: Top 10 Trailblazers Creating a top ten list of groundbreaking female pilots is no easy feat. I am not rank-ordering these women pilots as the best in any category, because how can I? Each female pilot listed below is famous in her own right with incredible accomplishments. All have held influential roles as aviators, and their influence is still widely felt. Read on to meet some inspiring ladies… 1. First Female to Fly Solo Across the Atlantic: Amelia Earhart When people hear the phrase “women in aviation,” they inevitably think of Amelia Earhart, the famed aviatrix who on May 20-21, 1932 was the first female to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. However, Earhart is … Read more

Aviation Scholarships: The Gift of Knowledge

On Saturday, November 6, 2021, Epic celebrated its 6th annual Aviation Scholarship Awards by giving the gift of knowledge to four high school students. Each year, Epic awards scholarships to deserving high school students. The fishing tournament is a fun event for industry partners that generates funds for future scholarships. The scholarship awards ceremony is combined with a career fair. Epic partners included Cessna/Textron Aviation, Air Wisconsin, United Airlines, Piper Aircraft, SkyWest, Southern Airways Express, Piedmont Airlines, Republic Airways, FEAM Maintenance & Engineering, and New Smyrna Beach Outfitters.The career fair was well attended with students gathering information and asking many questions about career opportunities. As the day progressed, hungry appetites were met with wide assortment of food vendors with something for … Read more

Summer Internship

A Sneak Peek of My Summer Internship at Epic Flight Academy By Cilia Salam Finding an Internship During the summer of 2021, I had the opportunity to do a summer internship with Epic Flight Academy. I had been trying to earn some work experience in the new normal of COVID-19 before I graduate with my master’s degree in the fall semester. At the beginning of the spring semester, I started applying and looking for internship opportunities. Like any other ambitious and enthusiastic ERAU aviation student, I was looking forward to an internship at a major airline. With uncertainty caused by COVID-19, the airlines had little to no availability for an intern. I ended up looking at local flight schools upon … Read more

Pilots as Mechanics: Should You Become Both?

Becoming an aircraft mechanic is a rewarding career. So is becoming a pilot. So, why would anyone go to the trouble of becoming both? After all, you’ll likely choose one or the other for a career. There are many good reasons why people choose to train in both fields. For example, a professional pilot who has become trained as an aircraft mechanic is more likely to notice if something seems ‘off’ during flight. This is a safety issue. Just as an auto mechanic would notice a problem while driving, an A&P would notice a problem with flying. Likewise, a professional mechanic who is also a pilot knows exactly how the controls should feel or how the engine should sound. The … Read more

Aeronautical Decision-Making: Pilots Making Best Decisions

Early in 2020, our lives changed when the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Governors and state agencies issued emergency orders for the temporary closures of businesses and organizations in an effort to reduce the spread of this virus. All segments of the aviation industry have felt the impact. Transportation was listed as one of the l0 essential services permitted to continue operations, which included flight training. The principles of aeronautical decision-making can be applied to this and other situations. Epic Flight Academy took immediate and proactive action to ensure all operations continued without interruption. Epic leadership went beyond the recommended advice provided by the Centers for Disease Control. (Note: The photo above was taken prior to the virus outbreak, … Read more

Once Upon a Time: Filing a Flight Plan

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

Captain Judy’s Corner: Flexibility is the Key to Safety in a Thunderstorm

Thunderstorm flexibility is essential for all pilots. The Citation was at FL370 (37000’) when I saw a thunderstorm building in the distance. I was amazed to watch and feel this energy from a far distance. The cumulonimbus clouds were building higher than the jet’s altitude. The lightning brightened the darkening sky. Are thunderstorms really all that dangerous? Every student pilot dreads the thunderstorm. Thunderstorms are part of summer weather in Florida, and most pilots here know to respect them. The first thing they learn is flexibility. Thunderstorms are one of nature’s most powerful forces and a weather hazard that are dangerous for all pilots. Flying too close to these powerful beasts can end in disaster. Pilots must understand thunderstorms and … Read more

Captain Judy’s Corner: Aeromedical & Motion Sickness

“I alerted my aerobatic instructor…” My earliest memory of riding in a car was leaning out the window for fresh air and positioning my head carefully into a brown paper bag while my stomach was churning. My parents reassured that eventually I would outgrow these queasy moments. At a very young age, I learned to avoid looking down, such as looking at picture books, if I were inside a moving vehicle. I also always had water, sat next to a window, and if all of these precautions did not work, then the brown paper bag was nearby. Can flying a plane cause motion sickness? My first experiences as a student pilot produced similar airsick results. I would do my best … Read more

International Flight and Mechanic Students Can Earn College Degrees

International Flight Student College Transfer

Our collaboration with several colleges and universities allows allows your flight training hours to transfer as college credit. International students want to know whether this program is available to them. The answer is “yes,” which brings us to the “how” and “why” of it. Why would international flight students want to earn a college degree in the U.S.? Although a college degree is not required by many airlines, some flight students choose to earn a college degree because it can help boost opportunities and salary. There are many personal reasons for choosing to earn a degree. One reason foreign flight students choose to earn a college degree is the requirement of a Class 1 medical certificate by the FAA. Many … Read more