EPIC Flight Academy

EPIC Flight Academy says it became the largest FAA Part 141 flight school in the United States in 2025. Founded in 1999 at New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport on Florida's east coast, it has grown to 12 flight training campuses and two aircraft mechanic schools, and the school says it has trained thousands of pilots from more than 110 countries who now fly for over 300 airlines.

International students follow EPIC's Airline Pilot Program for International Students: about 3 months for the private licence, 2 months for the instrument rating and 2 months for the commercial certificate, then time building as needed, and the school says the training can be completed in less than one year. EPIC issues the Form I-20 for the M-1 student visa, the usual route for international vocational students, and helps with housing; students in EPIC housing at New Smyrna Beach can take the school's bus to campus. The fleet is bought new and averages about five years old, backed by advanced training devices for simulator work.

EPIC lists airline pathways with United Aviate, Envoy, Republic Airways, Breeze Airways and others; ask us whether they are open to international students. New Smyrna Beach offers year-round flying weather and lies about 38 nautical miles from Orlando International Airport and 12 from Daytona Beach. The academy is ACCSC accredited and was named a top school by Flying Magazine in 2024.