Fairfield residents Daniela and Amro Aly took their passion for aviation to new heights when they co-founded Avia Flight Academy at Sikorsky Airport in Stratford, and it’s truly taken off! Daniela spent more than a decade designing training programs for the corporate world, and she brings that same expertise to creating a learning environment where aspiring pilots feel supported, confident, and motivated at every stage. Amro, a Captain with Delta Air Lines and a Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument (CFII) with FAA Gold Seal recognition, has logged thousands of hours of flight and instructional experience. He brings safety, integrity, and world-class aviation training to every lesson. Together, they share a deep commitment to mentoring students throughout their journey, helping make Avia one of the top academies in the region for training future professional pilots and welcoming recreational flyers alike. They are not only building a business but also developing exceptional aviators who are prepared for real-world flying and lifelong success, ready to soar.
FLM: When did you first think ‘I belonged in the air’? Where did that desire and passion come from and how does it shape your academy today?
Daniela Aly: My path into aviation didn’t begin from the cockpit; it began from a passion for people, training, leadership, and building something meaningful. What drew me to aviation was its impact on individuals. Aviation changes people. It builds discipline, confidence, decision-making, accountability, and character. Over the years in business and training, I became fascinated not just with airplanes, but with the process of developing exceptional professionals. I saw aviation as one of the highest forms of training and mentorship. My vision was never simply to create another flight school. It was to build a modern training environment where students feel supported, challenged, and inspired, an academy that combines high standards with innovation, structure, and community.
Amro Aly: Since childhood, I dreamed of being a pilot, watching planes take off and land, hoping to one day fly myself. Instead, life led me to a physics degree and a corporate career. Yet my passion for flying persisted. Daniela gifted me a discovery flight one Christmas, sparking a journey that brought me to the cockpit. That first experience grew into a life-changing path that inspired us to open a flight school. Our academy is founded on the same excitement that drew me to aviation. We're dedicated to training exceptional pilots, fostering a supportive, professional environment, and investing in innovative training technology that enhances safety and learning. Knowing what it's like to dream about flying from the outside, that perspective shapes our academy today. We want every student to feel their dream is achievable and have the guidance, structure, and community to reach it.
FLM: What need or gap in flight education did you feel wasn’t being met before you opened your doors?
Daniela: We opened Avia Flight Academy in 2019 with a simple mission: to improve flight training and create a better experience for aspiring pilots. Back then, the industry felt fragmented: Part 61 schools offered flexibility but often lacked structure and consistency, while Part 141 schools provided rigor and structure but sometimes lacked the flexibility students needed to train around their goals and schedules. Their focus was heavily on numbers rather than training quality. Our vision was to build a school that combined the best of both worlds—the flexibility of Part 61 with the professionalism, structure, and rigor of an organized curriculum. That philosophy still defines us today.
Amro: I personally experienced this training gap as a pilot in training, moving between schools and instructors while facing unpredictable, non-transparent costs. Recognizing that every student’s path differs—some aiming for aviation careers, others pursuing lifelong dreams and many juggling work and family. I knew a better approach was possible. Today, this perspective shapes structured curriculums, mentorship, and investments in modern aircraft, avionics, simulation, and student support. We continually seek to improve learning and raise training standards in the aviation community.
Q: What programs do you offer? What is the most popular?
Daniela: We offer recreational private pilot and airline pilot programs, as well as the Young Aviator Academy in the summer. Private and airline pilot programs are equally popular, with 50-50 split that varies by season and demand.
FLM: Who are your typical students or customers and what goals do they come in with?
Daniela: Typical students want to fulfill their dream of flying. They either wish to learn to fly so they or their families can fly themselves, or to fulfill their dream of becoming a professional pilot. They come from different backgrounds but all have one thing in common: the dream of flying.
FLM: What does a new student’s first day usually look like?
Amro: We believe the first day of training sets the tone for the entire experience, so we focus on creating a professional, supportive, and organized introduction to aviation training. During onboarding, students are introduced to the entire flight training process, including our standards, procedures, curriculum structure, and training expectations. We walk them through our scheduling and training management platform, explain how lessons and progress tracking work, and ensure they understand the path ahead. This is also when we assist students with applying for their Student Pilot Certificate and help answer any initial questions they may have about training, timelines, and goals. Our goal is for students to leave onboarding informed, confident, and excited about their aviation journey. We use this opportunity to reinforce the importance of our safety program, safety is fundamental to everything we do.
FLM: What values guide the way you train and mentor new pilots, especially those walking in for a discovery flight with zero experience?
Daniela: Safety is our foundation. Integrity means honest communication and clear expectations. Transparency is key. We believe informed students are successful. Excellence means doing the small things right every lesson and flight. We aim to create a supportive, challenging environment where students are prepared to succeed. Aviation is always evolving, and so are we.
FLM: Tell us about the camps you offer for aspiring young aviators.
Amro: We wanted to give younger students the opportunity to experience aviation early, in a way that is exciting, approachable, and educational. For many kids, aviation can feel distant or intimidating. Our goal is to make it accessible and inspire the next generation of pilots, engineers, leaders, and aviation professionals. Through our Young Aviators Academy, students are introduced to the fundamentals of flight, aircraft systems, aerodynamics, navigation, weather, aviation safety, and flight planning in a fun and interactive environment. Students also have the opportunity to experience simulator sessions, hands-on activities, airport operations, and introductory flights.
FLM: What skills, beyond flying, do kids come away with from your program?
Daniela: What makes these programs special is that they are not just about airplanes; they are about building curiosity, confidence, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. We want students to leave feeling inspired and realizing that aviation is something they can truly pursue if they choose to.
FLM: What’s been your most memorable flight personally or as an instructor or mentor?
Amro: I especially remember the students who came into training doubting themselves. People balancing careers, families, or personal challenges and then seeing the transformation that aviation brings out in them. Watching someone realize, ‘I can actually do this,’ is incredibly powerful.
Q: What’s the most rewarding part of being an academy owner and pilot?
Daniela: For me, flight training goes beyond checking boxes; it’s about building exceptional aviators prepared for real-world flying and lifelong success. We inspire people to pursue their flying dreams, support their journey, and take pride in their success.
Amro: The most fulfilling moments are watching students grow from complete beginners into safe, confident pilots. Seeing a student complete their first solo, earn a certificate, achieve a career milestone, or even overcome self-doubt is incredibly rewarding because you know you were part of that journey. I also take great pride in building a culture and community around aviation. Watching the academy continue to grow, support the aviation community, and positively impact students and families is incredibly fulfilling. At the end of the day, the most rewarding part is knowing that what we built truly makes a difference in people’s lives.
We're dedicated to training exceptional pilots, fostering a supportive, professional environment, and investing in innovative training technology that enhances safety and learning.
Safety is our foundation.
Aviation is always evolving, and so are we.
Avia Flight Academy
Sikorsky Memorial Airport, Inside Atlantic Aviation North facility,
325 Main St Suite 3, Stratford, CT 06615
(203) 212-3799
aviaflightacademy.com