About Us
We are building more than a flight school
We are building a long term aviation community
Behind every great flight is a team that puts safety,
clarity, and your progress first.
Where Light Meets Flight
This business began as a light. A clear direction. A belief that flight training could be structured, accessible, and community driven without losing professionalism.
“Where Light Meets Flight” represents that intersection vision and execution. Clarity and discipline. Purpose and progress.
We see aviation not just as a career path, but as something that illuminates a future. There is light behind us in how this school was built and there is light in front of us in where we are going.
Lumina Aviation exists to bring that clarity into flight training.
A Close Knit Team with a Big Vision
Based at Waukegan National Airport (KUGN), we combine structured, professional flight training with a personal, community driven environment.
Our vision is to create a place where pilots are developed with discipline, clarity, and real access to the resources they need.
We are building more than a flight school. We are building a long term aviation community.
We believe flight training should feel focused, supportive,
and structured
Our vision
To create a training environment where
Students are in control of their progress
Feature Title
Aircraft and instructors are accessible
Feature Title
Scheduling works with real life
Feature Title
Standards remain consistent
Feature Title
Community and professionalism coexist
Feature Title
Student Controlled Progress
At Lumina, you are not placed into a rigid system.
Whether you’re balancing school, work, or building hours toward the airlines, we work with your schedule not against it.
You control your pace. We provide the structure and accountability.
We provide
Flexible scheduling
Flexible scheduling
Reliable aircraft availability
Direct communication with instructors
Clear progress tracking
Transparent expectations
Because our team works closely together, we are able to offer
Consistent instructor relationships
Clear communication
Reliable aircraft access
Accessibility & Consistency
We operate under structured operational and safety standards
GW Team and Lumina Aviation and our aircraft are maintained according to manufacturer specifications.
Professionalism and accessibility are not opposites they are our foundation.
You control your pace. We provide the structure and accountability.
Professionalism and accessibility are not opposites they are our foundation.
Our instructors communicate constantly about
Student progress
Training quality
Safety culture
Aircraft readiness
A True Team Environment
This alignment creates consistency in the cockpit and confidence in your training.
When you train at Lumina, you are not just booking time you are joining a team that is invested in your growth.
You control your pace. We provide the structure and accountability.
Building a Community
A big vision, a strong community, a clear path forward.
We are excited to welcome new members who want to grow with us.
Whether you are, Taking your first flight, Earning your Private Pilot License, Building hours toward the airlines, you become part of a group of pilots who support one another and share the same standards.
Meet The Team
Our instructors and staff are here to guide you from your first briefing to confident decision making in the cockpit with structured training, honest feedback, and a supportive approach at every step.
Bryan Balint
Bryan Balint is the Founder and Director of Flight Operations at Lumina Aviation, leading day-to-day operations, instructor management, and training programs. As an active professional pilot, he focuses on safety, standardization, and real world pilot development.
Founder & Director of Flight Operations
Dragan Lazic
Dragan is a professional pilot and aviation leader with experience in aircraft operations, engineering, and sales. With advanced aviation degrees and ongoing PhD studies, he supports pilots with performance insights and long term aircraft decisions aligned with Lumina Aviation’s mission.
Director of Aircraft Sales & Authorized Bristell Distributor
Enrique Gonzalez
Enrique Gonzalez is a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI, CFII, MEI) and commercial pilot with single and multi engine experience across diverse aircraft and avionics platforms. After a decade in the automotive industry, he self-funded and accelerated his flight training, bringing discipline and firsthand perspective to his students while pursuing his long term goal of becoming a wide body airline captain.
Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)