Market Intelligence: -Airline Hiring

Epic Flight Academy Opens 10th FAA Part 141 Flight Training Campus – Announces Pilot Pathway Program with Alpine Air Express

Utah, USA – Epic Flight Academy, the nation’s largest FAA Part 141 flight school, proudly announces the opening of its newest flight training campus, located at Provo Airport in Utah. The company held a grand opening of its 10th flight training school on Saturday, October 4, 2025. During the event, representatives from Epic and Alpine Air Express, a Utah-based FAA Part 135 cargo carrier, jointly announced their newly established Pilot Pathway Program.

This strategic expansion strengthens Epic’s nationwide network and underscores Epic’s commitment to providing aspiring pilots with world-class training, which directly supports the increasing needs of airlines. The new Provo campus serves a pivotal role in Epic’s Pilot Pathway Program with Alpine Air Express. Through this partnership, Epic graduates who meet eligibility requirements are offered an interview with Alpine Air, creating a direct bridge from flight school to the flight deck.

“Epic has always focused on creating clear career pathways for our students,” said Danny Perna, founder and CEO of Epic Flight Academy. “With this new Provo campus, we’re not only expanding access to world-class flight training, but also strengthening our relationship with Alpine Air Express to ensure our graduates have a fast, reliable, and supported route into professional aviation careers. This collaboration extends to Epic’s aircraft mechanic graduates as well.”

Shawn Reeves, Director of Operations at Alpine Air Express, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration. “Alpine Air Express is proud to partner with Epic Flight Academy to provide graduates with a clear and reliable pathway into aviation careers,” said Reeves. “From pilot training to maintenance opportunities, Epic students can transition into one of the largest Part 135 cargo operations in the country, supported by mentorship, structured pay, and defined career growth.”

About the Program

The Epic–Alpine Pilot Pathway Program:

  • Offers qualified Epic graduate an interview with Alpine Air Express.
  • Prepares candidates for Alpine’s interview and hiring process.
  • Offers straightforward pay and upgrade pathway.
  • Provides mentorships after the conditional job offer.

In 2025, Epic Flight Academy opened 5 new flight training campuses in Addison, TX; Englewood, CO; St. George, UT; Tuscaloosa, AL; and Provo, UT. Epic’s other pilot schools are in New Smyrna Beach, FL; Ocala, FL; Tallahassee, FL; Jacksonville, FL; and Tucson, AZ. Epic’s aircraft mechanic schools are in New Smyrna Beach, FL and Erlanger, KY at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

By aligning training with hiring pathways, Epic and Alpine are helping meet the growing demand for highly qualified aviation professionals.

About Epic Flight Academy
Founded in 1999, Epic Flight Academy is the largest FAA Part 141 flight school in the United States. With multiple training locations, including two FAA Part 147 aircraft mechanic schools, Epic specializes in advanced aviation education. Epic graduates are employed at airlines around the world, supported by career-focused programs.

About Alpine Air Express
Headquartered in Provo, Utah, Alpine Air Express is a leading Part 135 cargo carrier operating nationwide with a large fleet of Beechcraft aircraft, including Beech 1900D, Beech 1900C, and Beech 99 aircraft. Alpine provides reliable air cargo services while offering aviation professionals competitive career opportunities.

Source: Epic Flight Academy

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ICAO Rejects IATA Proposal to Raise Pilot Retirement Age Beyond 65

Global – The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has rejected a proposal to raise the mandatory pilot retirement age from 65 to 67, following deliberations at its 42nd Assembly, held from September 23 to October 3, 2025.

  • The proposal was submitted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and supported by numerous airlines seeking relief from a regional specific global pilot shortage.

  • IATA’s position emphasized that extending the retirement age would enable operators to retain experienced pilots longer while mitigating training pipeline bottlenecks.

  • However, ICAO member states opposed the measure, citing concerns around aviation safety and age-related health risks, and ultimately voted to maintain the current age cap.

  • As a result, pilots aged 65 and above remain prohibited from operating international commercial flights, consistent with ICAO’s standing international standards.

Source: ICAO

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Kuwait Airways CEO Attends FTEJerez’s 2025 Graduation

Spain — aviation and flight training organisatoin FTEJerez has marked another milestone with the graduation of Courses 250 and 251, hosting a celebration at Bodegas González Byass alongside cadets’ families, airline partners, and distinguished industry leaders.

  • Guests of Honour included:

    • Abdulmohsen Alfagaan, CEO of Kuwait Airways

    • Aled Matthias, Senior Manager – Airbus Flight Training at British Airways

  • The graduates come from a diverse international cohort, with students from the United Kingdom, Kuwait, Spain, Lebanon and Belgium

About FTEJerez
FTEJerez, based in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, is a leading European pilot training academy with a history of providing integrated ab initio training. The academy partners with multiple airlines, including British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Kuwait Airways, to prepare cadets for direct entry into airline careers.

Source: FTEJerez

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ATP Flight School and American Airlines Host 250 Aspiring Pilots at Charlotte Open House in September 2025

North Carolina, USA – ATP Flight School and American Airlines welcomed nearly 250 students and aspiring airline pilots to Concord Regional Airport (JQF) on Wednesday, September 24, for an open house event celebrating their partnership through the American Airlines Cadet Academy.

Hosted at ATP’s Charlotte training center, the event brought together current students, prospective cadets, alumni, and pilot recruiters for a day of informative sessions on becoming an airline pilot and the path to a career at American. Attendees had the opportunity to step aboard a PSA Airlines CRJ-900 regional jet and speak directly with representatives from American, American Airlines Federal Credit Union, and regional carriers: Envoy Air, Piedmont Airlines, and PSA Airlines.

ATP Vice President of Training Support, Mike Wisniewski, and American’s Vice President of Flight Operations, Captain Alan Johnson, welcomed guests with remarks highlighting the demand for professional pilots and the impact of the ATP and American partnership. Additional speakers from ATP and American’s flight operations teams shared insights into training, hiring, and the regional-to-mainline pilot pathway.

During the event, a career expo was hosted for ATP students, with airline recruiters and program mentors from American’s wholly owned regional airlines showcasing the real-world career outcomes available to ATP graduates. The event demonstrated ATP’s unmatched network of airline partnerships and its continued focus on helping graduates transition directly from flight training to the flight deck.

“The strength of ATP’s airline hiring partnerships was on full display,” said Ashley Pillon, Director of Airline and Corporate Partnerships at ATP Flight School. “ATP excels in providing graduates with a structured career path backed by the major airlines. The American Airlines cadets are joining 2,700 students nationwide training in ATP’s Airline Career Pilot Program — all on the most efficient path toward a successful airline pilot career.”

Source: ATP Flight School
Photo Credit: ATP Flight School

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