Learn to fly.
Private pilot training, advanced ratings, drone education — twenty minutes from downtown Chicago, no tower, no waiting.
A leading Chicago-area provider of professional and recreational flight training.
JWA Flight School is based at Bolingbrook’s Clow International Airport (1C5). We train private pilots, career-track students and renters in a small, close-knit school where you’ll know all of us by name.
Looking to see what flying is all about, or want to share the gift of flight? A discovery flight is the perfect way to find out what it’s like at the controls. We take bookings seven days a week.
Questions? Call, email or stop by the school. We look forward to hearing from you.
Four ways to get in the air.
Discovery Flight
Your first lesson. Pre-flight the aircraft, take the controls, and log the instruction time. $199, seven days a week.
Private Pilot
A structured curriculum, progress tracking, and a dedicated CFI with back-up as needed.
Advanced & Multi
Instrument, commercial and multi-engine training in the Beechcraft Duchess for pilots building toward a career.
Drone School
Drone operation, maintenance, and FAA Part 107 training. Contact us for details.
From first solo to multi-engine.
Evektor Harmony
$174/hrModern, glass-cockpit trainer. Rotax 912iS — TAA aircraft on a trainer budget. Four in the fleet.
Cessna 172
$174/hrThe world's most popular trainer. Eight 172s in the fleet, so the schedule is very flexible.
Cessna 182
$210/hrHigh-performance step-up and the cross-country workhorse.
Diamond DA40
$195/hrThe Diamond DA40 (180 hp) is our favorite cross-country aircraft, TAA instrument trainer, and is also used for private pilot training.
Beechcraft Duchess
$385/hrTwin-engine training for the multi rating — the last box before the airlines.
Redbird Simulator
$65/hrFAA-loggable sim time for procedures, instrument work and weather days.
JWA is also the FBO and operates the fuel farm at 1C5. Transient pilots welcome — call ahead on 630-759-1555, CTAF 122.9, or taxi to the pumps.
College bound or just ratings?
We offer both. For college-bound students: earn your private pilot certificate at JWA while in high school, then carry it into a Part 141 university aviation program. It eliminates a common first-year blocker, reduces time to completion, and provides an invaluable head start. Steps 1–3 below are among the most common routes. For the ratings-only path, JWA can take you all the way to your multi. Finance options available.
Private Pilot at JWA
Train while you're still in high school (or working). Graduate with your private pilot certificate and start your instrument rating in your first year of college.
Local Junior College or University
Two years at a local junior college then transfer, or go straight to an aviation university program. Both paths get you to the flight deck. We will happily share the pros and cons of both.
Build hours, get hired
Once your ratings are done you'll build time toward the ATP — 1,000 hours with an approved aviation bachelor's degree, 1,250 with an associate's, 1,500 otherwise. JWA offers CFI roles to our alumni, subject to availability.
High school programs. JWA delivers aviation and drone (operations, maintenance, Part 107) career-technical courses for area districts — ground school, simulator time and classroom instruction. Available via Wilco Area Career Center, or ask about bringing it to your school.
Talk to us
“I got my Private Pilot license at JWA and am now at college pursuing my dream of flying for the airlines.”
“As an older learner I was concerned the instructor would be patient with me. My fears were unfounded — my instructor CJ understood how I needed to learn and gave me the confidence to succeed.”
“I'm getting my Private Pilot license at JWA in the new Evektor Harmony and am loving it. The fast-paced culture, structured curriculum and highly qualified CFIs are making learning fast and fun.”
Your first flight is one call away.
Book a discovery flight, ask about training, or call to set up a visit to the school. We’re on the field seven days a week.