Epic Flight Academy is the largest FAA Part 141 flight school in the United States, training pilots since 1999. Headquartered at New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport in Florida, Epic has expanded to 10 flight training campuses nationwide and trained over 7,500 pilots from 110+ countries who now fly for 300+ airlines worldwide. Named a top flight school by Flying Magazine in 2024 and achieving ACCSC accreditation in 2025, Epic offers a proven pathway from zero experience to airline pilot with comprehensive airline partnerships including United Aviate, Envoy Air, and Republic Airways.
Epic Flight Academy at a Glance
Pro Pilot Program
$75,043
Tuition (Jul 2025)
Duration
6-8 mo
To Commercial
Pilots Trained
7,500+
Since 1999
Campuses
10
Nationwide
School Overview
Epic Flight Academy was founded in 1999 by CEO Danny Perna, a third-generation aviator whose grandfather served as a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force. What started with one Cessna 152 in New Smyrna Beach has grown into America's largest Part 141 flight school network with 245+ employees, including 118 flight instructors.
Key Credentials
- • Largest FAA Part 141 flight school in USA (2025)
- • Cessna Pilot Center & Cessna Service Center
- • ACCSC accredited (2025)
- • 7,500+ pilots trained from 110+ countries
- • Flying Magazine Top Flight School 2024
- • ~1,000 checkrides per year
2025 Expansion
- • 5 new campuses opened in 2025
- • Addison TX, Englewood CO, St. George UT
- • Tuscaloosa AL, Provo UT (Oct 2025)
- • Now 10 flight training locations
- • 2 aircraft mechanic schools
- • Submitted for self-examining authority
Epic prioritizes hiring their own graduates as instructors to maintain training quality and consistency. The school operates with a low student-to-instructor ratio and hosts regular student appreciation events, study nights, and career fairs.
Training Programs
Professional Airline Pilot Program
Epic's flagship program takes students from zero experience to Multi-Engine Commercial Pilot in 6-8 months under FAA Part 141 accelerated training. Students fly 5 days per week, 5 hours per day with no gaps in training.
| Phase | Duration | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Flight Academy | Pre-arrival | Online prep: C172 systems, regulations, airport familiarization |
| Aviation Skill Development | ~2 weeks | Simulator intro, safety awareness (Epic exclusive) |
| Private Pilot | ~3 months | VFR training, solo flight, cross-country, checkride |
| Instrument Rating | ~2 months | IFR training, low-visibility flying, practical exam |
| Commercial Single-Engine | ~2 months | CSEL rating, Cessna 172 |
| Commercial Multi-Engine | ~3 weeks | CMEL add-on, Piper Seminole |
Airline Direct Program
Epic's Airline Direct Program takes students from zero experience to the airlines in approximately 10 months. This includes CFI/CFII ratings to build hours as an instructor, with direct pathways to Southern Airways Express, Mokulele Airlines, SkyWest, and Alpine Air Express.
Additional Programs
- CFI/CFII/MEI: Flight Instructor ratings to build hours toward 1,500 ATP minimum
- Part 61 Individual Courses: Flexible scheduling for working students
- International Pilot Program: FAA training valid with all Civil Aviation Authorities
- College Degree Program: Transfer credits to Purdue Global, Daytona State, MSU Denver, Polk State, Seminole State
- Aircraft Mechanic (A&P): 19-month FAA Part 147 program
Costs & Pricing
All costs effective July 2025 for U.S. students. Epic discloses all costs upfront to help students plan accordingly.
Professional Airline Pilot Program Cost
Tuition
$75,043
Training only
Non-Tuition
$8,604
Tests, gear, housing
Total Est.
$83,647
All-in cost
Scholarships
$140,000
16 awards/year
Individual Course Costs
| Course | Est. Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Private Pilot License (PPL) | ~$17,000 | ~3 months |
| Instrument Rating (IR) | ~$17,000 | ~2 months |
| Commercial Single-Engine (CSEL) | ~$17,553 | ~2 months |
| Commercial Multi-Engine (CMEL) | ~$7,065 | ~3 weeks |
| CFI/CFII/MEI (combined) | ~$15,000-20,000 | ~3-4 months |
Additional Costs (Non-Tuition)
- FAA Written Tests: ~$175 each
- FAA Practical Tests (Checkrides): ~$1,000 each
- Medical Exam: ~$150-200 (Third Class)
- Gear: Headset, flight bag, kneeboard, uniforms (~$500-1,000)
- Housing: Epic offers affordable short-term options with campus shuttle
- International Student Fees: Visa, TSA fingerprinting, health requirements
Financing Options
Epic offers 100% student financing through Sallie Mae and Stratus. VA benefits accepted. Epic awards $140,000 annually in scholarships to 16 U.S. high school students (including a $20,000 Captain Judy Rice Pilot Scholarship). Over $445,000 awarded to 35 students in the last 9 years.
Fleet & Simulators
Epic purchases all training aircraft brand new from the factory. The fleet averages just 5 years old, with the oldest aircraft manufactured in 2014. All aircraft feature Epic's distinctive red tails for visibility and safety.
| Aircraft | Avionics | Training Use | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 172 Skyhawk | Garmin G1000 NXi | PPL, IR, CSEL | All campuses |
| Piper PA-44 Seminole | Garmin G1000 | CMEL, MEI | EVB (main campus) |
| Beechcraft King Air B200 | Advanced | Advanced training | EVB |
Flight Simulators
- Frasca Truflite C172: 180° visual system, full-enclosure cockpit, G1000 (EVB)
- Frasca Truflite PA-44: Multi-engine simulator (EVB)
- Precision Flight Control GTX Max: Partial-motion platform, G1000 (multiple locations)
- Frasca Mentor C172: G1000 cockpit (EVB)
- Frasca AATD: Motion Cueing System FMCS-FX (EVB)
- Frasca RTD: Available at OCF, TLH locations
Simulator Training Saves Money
FAA-approved simulators allow students to practice maneuvers without fuel costs. Epic's Advanced Aviation Training Devices (AATD) increase knowledge and skills while reducing overall training costs and time.
Locations
Epic operates 10 FAA Part 141 flight training campuses and 2 FAA Part 147 aircraft mechanic schools across the United States. All pilot locations are Cessna Pilot Centers.
Flight Training Campuses
| Location | Airport | State |
|---|---|---|
| New Smyrna Beach (HQ) | KEVB - New Smyrna Beach Municipal | Florida |
| Jacksonville | KHEG - Herlong Recreational | Florida |
| Ocala | KOCF - Ocala International | Florida |
| Tallahassee | KTLH - Tallahassee International | Florida |
| Addison (Dallas) | KADS - Addison Airport | Texas |
| Tucson | KTUS - Tucson International | Arizona |
| Englewood | KAPA - Centennial Airport | Colorado |
| St. George | KSGU - St. George Regional | Utah |
| Provo (NEW Oct 2025) | KPVU - Provo Airport | Utah |
| Tuscaloosa | KTCL - Tuscaloosa Regional | Alabama |
Aircraft Mechanic Schools
- New Smyrna Beach, FL: Main A&P school (19-month program)
- Erlanger, KY: Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (KCVG), partnership with FEAM Aero
Airline Partnerships
Epic maintains professional partnerships with regional and mainline airlines, providing direct hiring pathways for graduates. Epic hosts regular career fairs and airline visits at campuses.
Major Pathway Programs
- • United Aviate (apply after PPL)
- • Envoy Air Cadet Program (American Airlines)
- • Republic Airways Career Pipeline
- • Breeze Airways conditional job offers
- • Southern Airways Express Airline Direct
- • Alpine Air Express Pilot Pathway (Utah)
Regional Airline Partners
- • SkyWest Airlines
- • Mokulele Airlines
- • CommuteAir
- • GoJet Airlines
- • Horizon Air
- • Mesa Airlines
- • Piedmont Airlines
- • PSA Airlines
- • Air Wisconsin
- • Ameriflight
1,500 Hour Requirement
FAA requires 1,500 hours total flight time for ATP certification and airline employment. Most Epic graduates build hours as CFIs at Epic or partner schools. Piedmont Airlines hires First Officers with 500 hours + 50 multi-engine hours (R-ATP pathway).
How to Apply
Entry Requirements
- Minimum 17 years old (PPL solo at 16)
- High school diploma or equivalent
- FAA Medical Certificate (Third Class minimum for PPL)
- English proficiency (ICAO Level IV upon completion)
- Valid government-issued ID
- International students: M-1 visa eligibility, TSA fingerprinting
Application Process
- Check Eligibility: Complete online eligibility form at epicflightacademy.com
- Discovery Flight: Optional introductory lesson ($100-200)
- Apply: Submit application with required documents
- Financing: Apply for Sallie Mae/Stratus loans or scholarships if needed
- Medical: Obtain FAA Medical Certificate from AME
- Orientation: New ground classes start each month
- Virtual Flight Academy: Begin online prep before arrival
International students receive full visa and training permit assistance. Epic offers English tutoring during ground school to support aviation English skills. All graduates are FAA-certified to ICAO Level IV English.
Graduate Outcomes
Epic graduates fly for 300+ airlines worldwide. The majority become regional airline First Officers within 2-3 years of starting training, with pathways to major airlines like American, United, and Delta through flow-through agreements.
Official Website: epicflightacademy.com
Headquarters: 600 Skyline Dr, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168
Contact: 1-866-FLY-EPIC (US) | +1-386-409-5583 (International)
Information accurate as of January 2026. Verify current pricing and availability directly with Epic Flight Academy.