Market Intelligence: -General Aviation

First Class of Aircraft Mechanics Graduate from Epic Flight Academy as Maintenance School Receives International Visa Approval

New Smyrna Beach, FL – Epic Flight Academy’s Part 147 School recently achieved two important milestones: its first graduating class of aircraft mechanic students and receiving approval from SEVIS to accept international students.

On July 28, 2022, the graduating class of seven students celebrated months of hard work in a graduation ceremony at the school. They are: Michael Azarian, Scott Cavato, Chris Gavigan, Luke Hartpence, Aiden Skau, Artem Ukolov, and Damon Vallas. Epic’s FAA Part 147 school launched during the outset of the pandemic, creating initial challenges. However, the first class pressed on to become FAA-certified A&P mechanics.

Additionally, Epic recently received full approval from SEVIS to award M1 vocational visas for international students wishing to train as aircraft mechanics.

“We are thrilled with both of these events,” said Josh Rawlins, Epic COO and Director of the Part 147 school. “I’m proud of our students who worked incredibly hard for this as well as our instructors. It’s a big win for the team. Career opportunities have never been better for aviation technicians.”

Epic founder and CEO Danny Perna added, “Josh and I both began our careers in aviation as A&Ps, so seeing our first class graduate feels like coming full circle. We’re also excited about being able to offer the M1 visa now, because so many people have been asking about it. All in all, these are two great achievements for our Part 147 school.”

Currently, with 7 graduating, 44 students remain in the aircraft mechanic program, which includes 5 classes: General Aviation, Airframe 1, Airframe 2, Powerplant 1, and Powerplant 2. There are also 19 incoming students enrolled for the fall. Applicants to the aircraft mechanic program must be 18 years old and proficient in English. The next class begins September 26th.

Epic Flight Academy was founded in 1999 and is based in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

Source: Epic Flight Academy Announcement

Photo Credit: Epic Flight Academy

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Alpha Aviation Group Seals Partnership with Holy Angel University

The country’s premier aviation training solutions provider formally sealed a partnership with one of the biggest universities in Central Luzon on 14 July 2022. Alpha Aviation Group (AAG), through its subsidiary – the AAG International Center for Aviation Training – Maintenance Training Center (AICAT-MTC), signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Holy Angel University (HAU) for an On-the-Job Training (OJT) Program for the university’s B.S Aeronautical Engineering students.

The agreement covers execution of OJT programs that will enable trainees to gain first-hand experience and better understanding of the concept and practical application of critical aeronautical engineering learning areas like airframe, power plant, avionics, among others. To ensure that the learning objectives will be met, AICAT-MTC’s team collaborated and co-worked with the
university’s instructors and heads in crafting the training plan. “We recognize that a safe and a sustainable industry recovery can only be realized if players in the industry will work together
in training and developing highly skilled, competent, resilient, and world-class aviation professionals. Our doors at AAG are always open for collaboration and partnerships- an
approach we’ve been practicing and advocating ever since,” said AAG’s Regional Director for Asia Pacific, Mr. Cristopher Magdangal. “We see this partnership with Holy Angel
University as a great opportunity to continually champion, share, and advocate ‘world-class’ aviation training”, he added

Source: AAG Announcement

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US Senator Congratulates Eight Cadets Chosen to Attend Air Force Junior ROTC Flight Academy

U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) congratulated eight Pennsylvanians selected to attend the 2022 Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) Flight Academy Program. The selected students are Junior ROTC cadets, who showed exemplary leadership, and were accepted into a special summer program for flight training.

“It’s a great honor to congratulate the eight Pennsylvania students awarded scholarships to attend the prestigious 2022 Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Flight Academy Program. I am impressed by these young Americans’ selfless commitment to service and their success inside and outside the classroom. I look forward to hearing about the accomplishments of these young men and women in the future,” said Senator Toomey.

Those selected include: Cadets Joseph Bevivino (Central York High School), Ethan Byrne (North Allegheny Intermediate High School), Emma Killmeyer (Plum Senior High School), Sarah Love (Muhlenberg High School), Ava Puschnigg (Ligonier Valley Senior High), Curtis Rhoten (North Allegheny Intermediate High School), Sierra Taylor (Central York High School), and Jett Witte (Central York High School).

These eight Pennsylvanians stood out among 1,300 applicants to attend an 8-week summer aviation program at one of the partnering universities. If successful, these cadets will earn their Private Pilot Certification (PPC) and take the first step toward a career in aviation.

Source: Press Release from the Official Website of Senator Pat Toomey

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US Legislators to Propose to Increase Pilot Retirement Age from 65 to 67

US legislators led by Senator Lindsey Graham are proposing to increase pilot retirement age from 65 to 67 amidst the looming pilot shortage the country has ever had. The retirement age is one among many reasons why there is a pilot shortage.

According to Regional Airline Association, if pilots will retire at age 65, 13 percent of pilots will be out service within 5 years.

US Department of Transportation Secretary Captain Dan Gogel said that the current pilot retirement age is there due to safety reason. He instead said that it’s best to look for other ways to combat pilot shortage than putting safety at risk.

Video Credit – NBC News

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US Airport Director Comments on the Severity of Pilot Shortage, Says Airports Can’t Do Much

“I would say, regardless of whether it’s Manistee or any other airport, travel is less reliable, and flights have been canceled and you may not get to your destination,” Blacker Airport Director Barry Lind told Manistee News. “The airport can’t do much about that.”

Lind cited a number of reasons as to why there is a pilot shortage and that is, first, there is a discrepancy in the number of pilots needed and the number of certified airline pilots produced. According to Lind, about 13,000 pilots are needed each year but only around 6,500 certificates commercial airplanes were issued each year citing data from the US regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration.

Aside from that, flight training is very expensive and that pilots are mandated to retire at age 65. Pilot shortage has also worsen due to airlines offering incentive packages for pilots to retire even before they reach the age of 65 during the onset of the pandemic.

But US airlines operating from Blacker Airport are employing strategies to combat the Pilot Shortage.

Photo Credit – Cape Air

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US University Holds Aviation and Aerospace Student Summer Program to Raise Interest for Pilot Training

Michigan Tech University held its Aviation and Aerospace Student Summer Program. With the program, high school students can learn the the basics of pilot training using a flight simulator.

“We teach a class on aviation, and what it takes to get a pilot’s license. We teach them instrumentation, what everything is and what they do, and in the class I’m instructing, we use a flight simulator program,” said Cirrus Aircraft’s Kevin Cadeau.

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