DANBURY – Epic Flight Academy, a national leader in aviation education, is coming to the Business Aircraft Center at the Danbury Municipal Airport in June or July.
“Epic Flight Academy coming to the Danbury Municipal Airport is a great fit for this aviation community because they bring a strong training program, experienced instructors, and a clear commitment to developing skilled local aviators,” said Michael Safranek, airport administrator. “Their presence adds energy to the airport, supports future pilots, and creates new opportunities for people in the region who want a solid path into aviation.”
Epic Flight Academy is the largest FAA Part 141 flight school in the U.S with multiple locations across the country. Epic, which was founded by CEO Danny Perna in 1999, 10 flight schools and two FAA Part 147 aircraft mechanic schools. The Danbury campus, which will be its first flight training facility in Connecticut, will include 2,000 square feet of instructional and office space, with plans to initially hire approximately 10 employees.
“It’s an excellent facility for pilot training because it offers air traffic control and close proximity to all types of airspace, including Hartford, New Haven, and New York. We appreciate the warm reception we’ve received. Danbury is business-friendly,” Perna said.
Mayor Roberto Alves emphasized how this partnership supports Danbury’s broader workforce development and economic goals.
“This is exactly the type of investment that builds the future of Danbury’s workforce,” he said. “Epic Flight Academy is creating real opportunities for people in our community to train for high-growth, high-paying aviation careers, right here at home.”
He believes the school’s hiring and capital investment will further strengthen the airport’s role as a regional economic engine.
The first class of pilots will include 30 students who will train to become professional pilots. “We’ve trained thousands of pilots from more than 100 countries and all 50 states,” said Cindy Lovell, director of education. “The first class will be comprised primarily of students from the area or those who move there to train at Epic.
“Most become airline pilots and range in age from 18 to their mid-40s. We’ve also trained pilots of all ages who are looking to fly recreationally. However, most of our pilots choose to become airline pilots, and we maintain partnerships with numerous airlines.”
Epic also maintains partnerships with five colleges/universities where Epic training is accepted as college credit. Epic also provides annual scholarships to high school students who want to train for a career as a pilot or aircraft mechanic.
“These partnerships offer incredible opportunities to our students,” Lovell added. “Many secure positions while still training through our aviation partnerships. We frequently welcome airline representatives to our campuses who share career opportunities with our students.”
All of the aircraft used for training is brand new from the factory.
“Our motto is ‘Safety First’, Lovell said. “Safety is taught and emphasized in everything we do. As soon as we receive new aircraft, our maintenance department paints the tails bright red, which makes them distinguishable and highly visible both on the ground and in the air.
Lovell noted the hands-on relationship Epic maintains throughout the company.
“Epic Flight Academy is a family business which is a main feature of Epic’s culture,” she said. “We regularly hold student and staff appreciation events.
Additionally, the school offers “Epic Cares,” an in-house initiative that provides a platform for students to seek and receive support of all types, both from a training perspective and a personal perspective.
With the aviation industry experiencing a nationwide pilot shortage, city leaders believe Danbury is well-positioned to play an active role in developing the next generation of pilots while generating meaningful economic benefits for residents.
“We’ve been addressing the pilot and aircraft mechanic shortages by increasing our training locations and providing opportunities for people to explore their interest in aviation careers,” said Lovell. Epic is looking forward to forming a long-term relationship with the local aviation community and the City of Danbury and surrounding area.
