Purdue Global signs educational partnership with Epic Flight Academy, celebrates student scholarship recipients

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla., and WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue Global is proud to announce its educational partnership with Epic Flight Academy, which will connect students with the opportunity to pursue an online bachelor’s degree in aviation management or professional flight through the Purdue Global Aviation program.

“We are pleased to partner with Epic Flight Academy through recognition of prior learning in both the professional flight and aviation management programs,” said Sara Sander, Purdue Global vice president, dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and interim dean of the School of Aviation. “This partnership will help both parties work together to address the need for more pilots, as well as those who work in the aviation industry.”

Epic Flight Academy founder and CEO Danny Perna added, “Our flight students can earn up to 45 transfer credits through their Epic flight training with Purdue Global. We’re thrilled to offer them the opportunity to earn their bachelor’s degree at a school with such a rich aviation history.”

Participants in both programs can save up to $28,400 in tuition and complete the degree online in 2 to 3 years. They can work on their degree while they complete flight training or as they work as a full-time flight instructor.

The next start date is Jan. 31, 2024. Admission requirements for the professional flight degree include: 1) hold a private pilot certificate; 2) hold a first-class medical certificate; and 3) be a high school graduate or have a GED. Aviation management students are not required to hold a private pilot license or first-class medical certificate.

Epic Flight Academy is an FAA-approved flight school and has been training pilots since 1999. Its main campus is located in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, with satellite locations around the country. Epic’s graduates fly for hundreds of different airlines around the world.

Purdue Global — Purdue’s online university for working adults — offers a tradition of academic quality, flexibility through online training, hands-on experience in a specialized field, a generous transfer credit policy and personalized support.

Andrew Rachmell (center), director of educational partnerships in Purdue University’s Office of Industry Partnerships, poses with several of Epic Flight Academy’s aviation scholarship recipients. (Photo provided by Epic Flight Academy/Mike Lopez) Download image

This personalized support could be seen during Epic’s 8th annual aviation scholarship awards ceremony, where Andrew Rachmell, director of educational partnerships in Purdue University’s Office of Industry Partnerships, was in attendance to celebrate the seven high school students who received a total of $80,000 in scholarships.

Since Epic Flight Academy launched their annual scholarship event in 2016, the company has presented more than $360,000 to 27 students.

About Purdue Global

Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university for working adults who have life experience and often some college credits. It offers flexible paths for students to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, military service and previous college credits, no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and backed by Purdue University. For more information, visit https://stories.purdue.edu/purdue-global/.

About Epic Flight Academy

Epic Flight Academy is an international aviation school training airline pilots and aircraft mechanics. Founded in 1999, Epic offers FAA-certified Part 141 and Part 147 training. Epic partners with numerous airlines and aviation organizations, such as United Airlines, to offer multiple hiring opportunities to its graduates. Graduates from Epic represent more than 80 countries and are employed by more than 300 different organizations. Epic’s main campus is located at the New Smyrna Beach Airport with satellite locations around the country.

Writer: Kaitlin McQueen

Media contact: Matthew Oates, oatesw@purdue.edu

Sources:

Sara Sander, vice president and dean, Purdue Global

Andrew Rachmell, director of educational partnerships, Office of Industry Partnerships

Danny Perna, founder and CEO, Epic Flight Academy