Flying in Chicago?

[BradG]

I am getting ready to re-locate to Downtown Chicago in January and I am looking for a place to do some flying that is accessable via Public transportation. We're selling both of our cars, so I need somewhere that can be reached on the train/bus. Any suggestions?

 

[macey]

Chicago, my old stomping grounds. Since your such a poor flight instructor how can you afford to live downtown?

 

[AlabamaMan!!]

Some flying as in work or just for fun?

Either way, about the only place that is accessible by public transportation is MDW. You could take the Metra out towards PWK, but it stops about 5 minutes away. Not sure if there is a PACE bus or not from the station to the airport or close to it. Those are really your only options.

You could try Gary, there is an electric train (the South Shore Line) that leaves from Millenium Park and stops at the Gary airport. The flight school that was at MDW just moved there not so long ago. Aviation Professionals I believe.

 

[macey]

Yea go to gary if you want to be shot! Aviation professionals didn't move to gary they opened up another office there and it has been about 4 years. The south shore line that alabamaman is refering to is operated by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District.

 

[AlabamaMan!!]

Give me a break. Going to the Gary airport isnt going to get you shot. You must live out in the suburbs, huh?

 

[macey]

Nope No burbs for me. Born, raised and live on the southside. Perhaps you have never been to gary.

 

[Traderd]

Nope No burbs for me. Born, raised and live on the southside. Perhaps you have never been to gary.

Jim Croce said it best. "Well the south side of Chicago is the baddest part of town...."

 

[AlabamaMan!!]

Nope No burbs for me. Born, raised and live on the southside. Perhaps you have never been to gary.

When I used to live in Chicago, I flew out of the Gary airport many times my friend. Even ventured into Gary itself every now and then. It really isnt any different then wondering off Stony Island Ave or Garfield Blvd.

Where on the southside do you live?

 

[macey]

43rd & California.

 

[brnstrmr]

the Gary airport is surrounded by the interstate, a refinery and the lake, the boys in the hood dont chill at GYY. Go fly at API, they're good guys and you'll be safe

 

[FL420]

Google METRA and Chicago Transit Authority(CTA) for info on trains, light rail and PACE busses. They have route maps. I think Schaumburg is near a METRA station.

 

[CaptainPablo]

Kdpa

ride out to the Geneva stop on the Metra and have one of the folks at Illinois Aviation at KDPA pick you up. they would be more than happy to help you out. this is probably your best bet. they have good airplanes and good instructors. mike veselka will probably check you out. good guy.

 

[gringo]

Then there's Meigs...
Oh wait.

Danm it.

I love what King Daley did for this city, but I hope he burns in he!l for Meigs.

Well, he!l is perhaps too harsh. Maybe Miami...

 

[siucavflight]

PWK is a nice airport, not sure if the bus runs up there or not, I know that it is not far off of the Metra stop.

 

[Alltheway]

Waukegan KUGN, the straight shot north Metra Stops there, Skill aviation will pick you up for free

 

[Metro752]

There ain't no airports on any public transpo-tation cept Midway and O'Hare. If you are living downtown in the city, yeah take the train to Geneva and have some guy pick you up from the train station is probably the only suggestion.

I doubt if you are living in the city, Travel Express, which is like a few feet from Illinois Aviation, is a nice place.

www.flytea.com

 

[Darkhlmt]

I can't say much about what is right around the Gary airport. I like to avoid Gary simply due to the stink that is "Gary." In the "State" of Chicago there isn't much in the way of airports for playing with. PWK and DPA are the two I would send you to. But as someone stated before. Nothing going strait to them. You would have to cab or pace your way after the train. I personally like DPA more then PWK. But, I live closer to it as well. Good luck!

 

[Lear Wanna Be]

The Metra goes right by the Schaumburg airport on Irving Park road. However, I would stay away from that flight school. They have a bunch of nice new Diamonds, even a Twin Star, but the management of the flight school leaves a lot to be desired. The instructors there are knowledgeable, but the operation is on a shoe string budget and the owner has his share of run-ins with the FAA.

At PWK, which you can't get to unless you take a bus (which I am not sure is available anyway) from the Metra line from downtown Glenview or Northbrook is not a great option. You can read about Palwaukee Flyers if you do a search here. The only other school is American Flyers. Good place to rent/receive instruction, but Flyers is expensive.

Either of the two schools at DPA would work fine for you. American Flyers is there as well. They have a diesel C172 if you are looking for something different. I guess you can probably get to DPA from the same Metra line that goes past Schaumburg, but you might want to double check.

MDW is probably your best bet. You would have to do some checking, but API and General Aviators were there last time I checked (might now be called Midway Aviators). General Aviators was always a good place to rent and they had a variety of aircraft. Anything rented out of MDW is going to be expensive, just be prepared.

If you can somehow get to Waukegan and you have a few extra dollars, there is a club there called the "Stick and Rudder Club". It is a real good place to rent and they too have a good fleet (Cessnas) of aircraft.

PM if you have any more questions and perhaps I can ask some folks that I know that still instruct.

 

[AlabamaMan!!]

At PWK, which you can't get to unless you take a bus (which I am not sure is available anyway) from the Metra line from downtown Glenview or Northbrook is not a great option. You can read about Palwaukee Flyers if you do a search here. The only other school is American Flyers. Good place to rent/receive instruction, but Flyers is expensive.

Be careful........http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=37950


Windy City Flyers is another good option at PWK that wasn't mentioned. Wide variety of airplanes and very well maintained. "American Flyers" won't let you rent their aircraft on your own, only for dual instruction.

Palwaukee Flyers is the disaster talked about in the thread above.

Check your PM's.

 

[Metro752]

Be careful........http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=37950


Windy City Flyers is another good option at PWK that wasn't mentioned. Wide variety of airplanes and very well maintained. "American Flyers" won't let you rent their aircraft on your own, only for dual instruction.

Palwaukee Flyers is the disaster talked about in the thread above.

Check your PM's.

PWK Flyers also advertises on many student pilot websites, which is a shame.