WASHINGTON, DC – The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) joins the entire aviation community in mourning the loss of Pat Epps, a true icon in aviation. Pat Epps’ leadership at Epps Aviation, his unwavering commitment to safety and service, and his lifelong passion for flight leave an indelible mark on general aviation.
The youngest son of Georgia aviation pioneer, Ben T. Epps, Pat Epps carried forward his family’s extraordinary legacy with distinction, serving as a mechanical engineer, U.S. Air Force pilot, Boeing flight test engineer, and founder of Epps Air Service at DeKalb–Peachtree Airport in Atlanta, Georgia.
Known globally for directing the remarkable recovery of a WWII P-38 Lightning from beneath the Greenland ice cap, Epps exemplified the innovation, perseverance, and spirit that define our industry.