Meet Our Staff

Senior Instructors

Jim Kwasek

Jim is the Owner and Chief Pilot at Chicago Executive Flight School. An active member of the flying community at Chicago Executive Airport, Jim was president of PAPA at Chicago Executive for four years, and currently sits on the board. PAPA is the largest pilot organization at Chicago Executive Airport (formerly Palwaukee Municipal Airport). Jim started flying at Palwaukee in 1988, then went on to Southern Illinois University for his degrees in Aviation Management and Aviation Flight. When not flying, Jim enjoys teaching Tae Kwon Do.
Flight Qualifications include: CFI, CFII, MEI, AGI, IGI, Flight Engineer Turbojet

Dave Klopfleisch

Dave started flying in 1966 at Roselle Airport, now called Schaumburg Airport in Schaumburg, IL. He served in the Navy 1968-1974 with his last duty station at Miramar, CA. In the Navy, Dave flew the TA-4, single engine attack jet. Afterwards, Dave worked for various corporate flight departments and served as the Safety Officer at the NAS Glenview Flying Club from 1993-1996.
Flight Qualifications include: CFI and MEI, ATP, Part 121 Flight Dispatcher, current Safety Officer at Chicago Executive Flight School

Instructors

Milenko Bandur

Milenko first started flying in early 2006. His first flight was a Total Immersion Flight at Chicago Executive Flight School, a birthday present he purchased for himself. He has always been interested in flying and than became hooked after the first flight. He finished his Private Pilot Certificate at Chicago Executive Flight School and then his Commercial Single & Multi-Engine at the Aero Club at Scott Air Force Base. He then earned his Certified Flight Instructor Certification and now enjoys instructing and sharing his passion with others.
Milenko has a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science and when not flying works as an IT professional and Network Administrator.
Flight Qualifications include: CFI, AGI

Peter Durica

Pete started flying in 1985 in Manassas, VA and graduated from Middle Tenessee State University In 1995 with a Bachelors Sciences in Aerospace. He worked as a flight instructor in the Nashville area for a few years before begining an airline career that earned him an Airline Transport Pilot License and type ratings in aircraft ranging from the Citation 500 to the Boeing 767.
Flight Qualifications include: CFI, CFII, MEI, AGI, ATP.

Adam Foster

At a young age, Adam became fascinated with aviation. He liked reading books about airplanes and enjoyed attending air shows with his family. Adam dreamed about one day becoming a pilot and accomplished his goal at the age of eighteen. He earned his CFI and CFII and is currently pursuing a degree in Meteorology. In his free time, Adam enjoys traveling, snowboarding and boating with his family and friends.
Flight Qualifications include: CFI, CFII

Richard Krauleidis

Richard did most of his flight training at American Flyers and has been flying since 1997. His professional experience as a pilot includes working both as a jump pilot flying skydivers and as a flight instructor training students.
Flight Qualifications include: CFI, CFII, MEI, AGI, IGI

Juan Lopez

Juan first learned to fly at Midway Airport about 30 years ago. He’s been flight instructing for the past 8 yrs at Chicago Executive Airport and working as a Customer Systems Technician with AT&T for 18 yrs.
Flight Qualifications include: CFI, CFII, and Commercial Multi-Engine

Madeleine Monaco

Madeleine started flying in 1977 here at Chicago Executive Airport (formerly known as Palwaukee Airport). She earned her Private, Instrument, Commercial, CFI, CFII, Multi and Multi Instructor all right here at PWK. In addition Madeleine has owned and operated a 172, a Mooney M20J, and a 150. She also has a Single Engine Seaplane rating. Madeleine has worked as an instructor since 1981 in various aircraft. She has been active in aviation organizations, and local government. Madeleine is co-founder of PAPA At Chicago Executive – the pilots’ representative here at the airport.
Flight Qualifications include: CFI, CFII, MEI