About Us
Rise on Golden Wings
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.
KUGN
Waukegan National
Bristell
Glass cockpit fleet
1-on-1
Instructor relationships
Community
Not just hours
Our story
A close knit team with a big vision
Golden Wings Aviation was built on a belief: that flight training can be structured, accessible, and community-driven without losing professionalism. Wings are a symbol of what you achieve — earned through discipline, judgment, and honest work. That is the standard we hold ourselves to, and the one we help every student reach.
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 believe flight training should feel focused, supportive, and structured. There is pride behind us in how this school was built, and open sky in front of us — Golden Wings Aviation exists to help you rise, and fly with confidence.
Discipline and judgment
Consistent instructor relationships
A long term aviation community
Our vision
A training environment where
Students are in control of their progress
You control your pace. We provide the structure and accountability.
Aircraft and instructors are accessible
Reliable aircraft availability and direct communication with instructors.
Scheduling works with real life
School, work, or hours toward the airlines: we work with your schedule.
Standards remain consistent
Structured operational and safety standards, held consistently.
Community and professionalism coexist
Professionalism and accessibility are not opposites. They are our foundation.
How we work
You control your pace
At Golden Wings Aviation, 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
- Reliable aircraft availability
- Direct communication with instructors
- Clear progress tracking
- Transparent expectations
Our standards
Accessibility & consistency
We operate under structured operational and safety standards, and our aircraft are maintained according to manufacturer specifications.
Professionalism and accessibility are not opposites — they are our foundation.
Because our team works closely together, we offer
- Consistent instructor relationships
- Clear communication
- Reliable aircraft access
Our team
A true team environment
This alignment creates consistency in the cockpit and confidence in your training.
When you train at Golden Wings Aviation, you are not just booking time — you are joining a team that is invested in your growth.
Our instructors communicate constantly about
- Student progress
- Training quality
- Safety culture
- Aircraft readiness
Meet the team
The people you'll train with
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.
Dragan Lazic
Head of Training
Kamel
Instructor
Raf
Instructor
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. Whatever brings you to the airport, you become part of a group of pilots who support one another and share the same standards.
Taking your first flight
Earning your Private Pilot License
Building hours toward the airlines
Get in touch
Let's get in touch
Have a question before booking? Reach out and we'll reply with straightforward answers.
Visit our home base
Drop by the hangar, give us a call, or reach out online. We'd love to show you the fleet and introduce you to the team.
Address
2960 Aviation Dr
Waukegan, IL 60087
United StatesHours
Mon to Fri, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM CT
Sat: By appointment
Sun: Closed