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Two students smiling inside a yellow Bristell light sport aircraft (N7931B) on the airport ramp during a private pilot
Student pilot seated in a yellow Bristell light sport aircraft (N279SS) on the ramp at Waukegan National Airport (KUGN)
Cockpit view above the clouds at sunrise during a real training flight with Lumina Aviation flight school near Chicago.
Student pilot in a yellow Bristell light sport aircraft (N279SS) at Waukegan National Airport during private pilot training
Students inspecting a yellow Bristell light sport aircraft (N279SS) inside the hangar

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. 
Bristell light sport aircraft flying above the clouds during a training flight with Lumina Aviation near Chicago.

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.

Students inspecting a yellow Bristell light sport aircraft (N279SS) inside the hangar

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

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Aircraft and instructors are accessible

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Scheduling works with real life

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Standards remain consistent

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Community and professionalism coexist

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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.

Bristell light sport aircraft flying above the clouds during a training flight with Lumina Aviation near Chicago.
Students inspecting a yellow Bristell light sport aircraft (N279SS) inside the hangar

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.

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Bryan Balint

Bryan is an experienced aviation leader with a background in flight operations, instructor management, and pilot training programs.

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Director of Flight Operations

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Dragan Lazic

Dragan is a professional pilot and aviation leader with experience in aircraft operations, engineering, and sales. 

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Head of training and Technical operations

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Enrique Gonzalez

Enrique Gonzalez is a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI, CFII, MEI) and commercial pilot with experience across single and multi engine aircraft platforms.

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Lead CFI at KUGN

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Kamel

Enrique Gonzalez is a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI, CFII, MEI) and commercial pilot with experience across single and multi engine aircraft platforms.

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Lead CFI at KDAB

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Raf

Enrique Gonzalez is a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI, CFII, MEI) and commercial pilot with experience across single and multi engine aircraft platforms.

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Assistant Lead at KUGN

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Let's get in touch

Have a question before booking?

Reach out and we’ll reply with straightforward answers.

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