Our Team. Your Aviation Family.

Introducing our EpicSky team: a group of flight instructors and administrators who prioritize your journey in aviation. With expertise and passion, our instructors guide you to new heights.

Founder / CEO

Ed has a zeal and zest for life. Becoming a pilot has been on his bucket list for decades, but when his oldest son took his girl to move several states away it became too much to put off any longer. What began as flight training for himself continued into the formation of EpicSky Flight Academy when he saw that things could be made better by not only implementing the best technology available across the board but more importantly by putting the student and the company’s people at the center. Ed is a strange combination of an extroverted people person, engineer, tech nerd, philanthropist, psychologist, DIY’er, and adventurer all thrown into one. He owns businesses in aviation, real estate, and performance diesel automotive, but also enjoys dabbling in financial investments. He loves things that go fast and is always down for an adventure. He holds his Second-Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and has a deep appreciation for martial arts. Traveling to dozens of countries throughout his life has led to a wide love of people and an even greater desire to serve others. Before being bit by the entrepreneurial bug, he led a widely diverse life in the corporate world, the most prominent of which was being able to build and hone the operational and security standards by which not only the Powerball and MegaMillions lottery games perform nationally, but also how lotteries across the globe do the same. Serving the community and giving people another voice to see that their goals can readily become their reality regardless of their past fuels him. He may or may not have been called the human manifestation of the Energizer Bunny(TM) on more than one occasion. While he obtained his undergraduate degree in business administration with a concentration in computer science and holds multiple technical certifications, his far greater life growth has been through his interactions with the world around him. Ed is humbled to offer up EpicSky as a different experience, a truly different way to do flight training, and even a deeply different way to…be.

Flight Instructors

Santiago Zapata is a native of Colombia, where he obtained his degree in International Business. Subsequently, he pursued flight training in the United States, receiving most of his certificates at Aviator College, a part 141 flight school located in Fort Pierce, FL. Prior to becoming a flight instructor, Santiago served as an English intern at the college, where he helped students from diverse backgrounds achieve aviation English proficiency. It was during this experience that he discovered his passion for teaching.
Having lived in various parts of the world and traveled extensively, Santiago possesses a deep understanding of different cultures and how to adapt his teaching approach to suit individual needs. Apart from his aviation pursuits, Santiago finds joy in various activities, such as playing the guitar, staying active through exercise, and exploring new cuisines.

Paul Kraemer is a certified flight instructor with an impressive track record of teaching experience, having amassed around 1000 hours working with students from various parts of the world. Originally from St. Cloud, Minnesota, he completed his comprehensive flight training at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.
Equipped with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics, specialized in Business Aviation, Paul is a valuable member of the Epic Sky CFI Team. Within this role, his main focus centers on instructing students pursuing instrument ratings, and he also imparts his knowledge in a specialty class dedicated to the Garmin G1000NXI avionics, which are prevalent in the majority of their fleet. Beyond the world of aviation, Paul finds joy in different hobbies and activities. He enjoys immersing himself in tabletop role-playing games, indulging in video games, and cherishing outdoor adventures with his friends and family.

SuBok Lee, also known as Ricky Lee, originates from South Korea. He has a diverse background that includes serving in the military for two years and working as a math teacher. Educationally, SuBok holds a bachelor's degree (BTS) from South Korea, with a Major in Mechanical Engineering and multiple aviation-related Minors. He pursued his flight training in California, where he successfully obtained his PPL, IR, and CPL licenses. Afterward, he returned to South Korea and completed additional training to obtain his South Korean CFI/II certifications.
In 2022, SuBok made a decision to return to the United States. Due to the difference in licensing regulations between the two countries, he underwent further flight training to acquire his US CFI/II and MEI licenses and ratings within a year. One notable distinction between being a pilot in South Korea and the United States is the predominant motivation. In South Korea, the focus is primarily on pursuing aviation as a career, with a strong emphasis on becoming a commercial pilot. On the other hand, in the US, there is a larger number of individuals who obtain a PPL for recreational purposes, purely for the joy of flying.
Outside of his aviation pursuits, SuBok has a favorite hobby: reading comic books, which brings him enjoyment and relaxation.

Faisal Ahmed, a Dubai native, joins EpicSky as the newest flight instructor. Having completed all his training in Florida, he embarked on his aviation journey by acquiring his Private Pilot license. Faisal has since obtained all the necessary licenses and ratings, including his CFI/CFII qualifications.
Passionate about aviation, Faisal finds immense joy in sharing his knowledge with others while also embracing continuous learning. Beyond the realm of flight instruction, he holds a deep interest in travel, engaging in outdoor activities, and participating in various sports. In his leisure time, Faisal channels his creativity by indulging in the art of poetry.

Omer Marciano, born and raised in Israel, sought flight training opportunities that led him to make the decision to relocate to the United States. He enrolled in the ELAL (Israeli airline) flight academy, which is situated at the Aviator College of Aeronautical Science & Technology in Florida. Through this esteemed program, Omer successfully acquired all the necessary licenses, including his CFI, CFII, and MEI, paving the way for his aviation career.
Before pursuing his passion for aviation, Omer devoted three years of service in the Israel Defense Force. Following his active duty, he continued to serve in the reserves, steadily rising in rank to become a Master Sergeant within the 931st Infantry battalion over a period of ten years. In addition to his military background, Omer possesses a fervor for martial arts, having attained a black belt in Krav Maga.

Andrew King, a passionate aviator, holds a BS degree in Professional Pilot Aviation from Baylor University. Originally from Texas, he has nurtured his love for flying since the age of 15. During his high school years, Andrew would spend his time at a local airport, immersing himself in the aviation atmosphere. It was during this period that a pilot offered him the opportunity to take a flight, and Andrew was instantly captivated.
Embracing his newfound passion for flying, Andrew pursued training and successfully obtained his certification as a flight instructor. With two years of experience under his belt, he has accumulated over 1,000 hours of flight time. Despite the time spent in the cockpit, Andrew's enthusiasm for aviation remains unwavering, as his love for flying continues to thrive.

Leo is a young pilot from the high country! Having done all of his training in Colorado, he has a vast amount of knowledge around high altitude operations and mountain flying. All of his training was at part 61 schools. He is very comfortable with both 6 pack and G1000 cockpits. In his free time, Leo enjoys cooking, taking care of his plants, camping, and learning how to play the accordion.

Felipe Amaya, hailing from Bogotá, Colombia, pursued his initial studies in industrial engineering at a university in his home country. However, after a year and a half, he realized that this path did not align with his aspirations for a fulfilling career. Given the opportunity by his supportive parents, Felipe decided to chase a lifelong dream he had nurtured since childhood - becoming a pilot. He commenced his aviation journey by enrolling in an Aircraft Dispatcher course to enhance his knowledge in the field before embarking on pilot training.
Felipe's dedication and hard work led him to Aviator College in Florida, where he undertook rigorous studies and training. His diligence paid off, as he successfully passed 7 different checkrides on the first attempt. As a result, he achieved certifications as a Commercial Pilot with ratings for both Multi and Single engine, along with an Instrument Rating. Additionally, he acquired certifications as a Certified Flight Instructor, Certified Instrument Instructor, and Multiengine Instructor (CFI, CFII, MEI).
Apart from his aviation accomplishments, Felipe values principles and good character. He considers himself open-minded, always willing to listen to others' perspectives, believing that everyone has something valuable to offer. He describes himself as an independent and composed individual, consistently striving to give his best effort in all his endeavors. Felipe embraces every opportunity to learn and grow, both professionally and personally. He enjoys exploring new experiences and views each challenge as a chance to enhance his skills and knowledge.