Excellence in Flight Training Since 1994.
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Located at Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling (IL), we offer comprehensive training programs for aspiring pilots. At Chicago Executive Flight School (CEFS) we have trained students to become pilots since 1994. CEFS has truly stood above the rest, focusing 100% on quality, safety, and time so you can be assured you are receiving the best training available.
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Reviews

EXCELLENT
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Based on 136 reviews
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David Pallchizaca profile picture
David Pallchizaca
22 June 2025
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Hello everyone My name is David P I had an incredible experience so far with Chicago Executive Flight School. Rayan, is my instructor he is one of the best. He is not only an excellent teacher but also incredibly patient and understanding, his way of teaching style made learning to fly an enjoyable experience. What I truly appreciated Rayan was with scheduling, working around my busy schedule with work he makes sure I could fit lessons in comfortably, very friendly and professional. I’m grateful for the great training and support I received from all the instructors and the staff.
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michael maitar profile picture
michael maitar
17 June 2025
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I took many flight lessons there years ago. The CFIs were absolutely incredible and patient. Unfortunately I was too busy in my work to finish, but hopefully planning to come back in the next 4-5 months, this time to go all the way. I believe the management is still the same and that’s where the winning chip is. Great school and great airport.
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Sam Soulari profile picture
Sam Soulari
1 July 2025
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Chicago Executive Flight School offers a solid and accessible pathway for those pursuing a Private Pilot License (PPL), especially for residents of Chicago’s northern suburbs. With its convenient location, varied fleet, and energetic team of Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs), the school provides strong value for aspiring pilots. However, some operational challenges come with the territory. Pros: • Convenient Location: Located at Chicago Executive Airport (PWK), the school is an ideal choice for those living in the northern suburbs, minimizing commute time and making frequent flying more manageable. • Reasonable Pricing: Rates are competitive for the region, offering good value given the quality of instruction and aircraft access. • Motivated CFIs: The school features a group of young, passionate, and knowledgeable instructors who are committed to helping students succeed. • Fleet Variety: A diverse selection of aircraft is available, generally well-maintained and suitable for PPL training. • Exceptional CFI – Jakob: One of the standout instructors is Jakob, who is consistently patient, professional, and clear in his teaching. His calm demeanor and methodical approach make him especially effective with newer students or those looking to build confidence in the cockpit. Cons: • Congested Airspace: Proximity to O’Hare’s Class B airspace means students must learn to navigate busy skies, which, while valuable experience, can be overwhelming at first. • Runway/Taxi Delays: High traffic levels at PWK, including jets and other GA aircraft, often result in wait times for departure, impacting scheduling efficiency. • Older Aircraft: While functional and maintained, many of the aircraft lack modern avionics like autopilot or glass cockpits, which may be a downside for students looking to train on more current systems. • Cook County Taxes: Higher local taxes add to the overall cost of training and can come as a surprise for some students. • Variable Professionalism: Though CFIs are generally skilled and professional, there have been isolated instances where certain instructors have acted less professionally in the presence of students. Overall Assessment: Chicago Executive Flight School is a strong choice for flight training, especially for students looking for convenience, affordability, and solid instruction. The experience offers both challenges and advantages—training in busy airspace builds valuable real-world skill, though it can increase stress and wait times. For those who have the right expectations and are ready to work in a dynamic training environment, this school offers excellent value—particularly if you’re lucky enough to train with CFIs like Jakob, who brings an exceptional level of patience and professionalism to the program.
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Caroline Jensen profile picture
Caroline Jensen
1 July 2025
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I started working on my Private License a few months ago. The school is set up in a way for you to be successful. I have had a great experience and am learning quickly. My instructor Adrian is great!
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derrk radja profile picture
derrk radja
12 October 2025
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After having some issues in the beginning of training, I switched my flight instructor to Tom. He brought the rating to five stars. With his guidance I was able to breeze through my check ride! Thanks Tom!
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John Cox profile picture
John Cox
30 June 2025
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This fight school is terrific with great instructors who have incredible attention to detail and safety always being the top priority. Jakob, in particular, is awesome. He’s a very experienced pilot and Instructor. While a primary instructor is who you fly with most of the time, I have flown with multiple other instructors who are all wonderful, patient, and consistent in their teaching. Highly recommend!⚡️⚡️⚡️
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Tim Doyle profile picture
Tim Doyle
18 July 2021
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Good place to get flying experience.
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Aiden Thomas profile picture
Aiden Thomas
1 July 2025
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My flying journey started at this flight school and I cant recommend this place enough for anyone who wants to get into flying. My instructor Tom has been a great mentor and guide in the sky, as well as on the ground. He does a great job of teaching and being serious about operating a plane, but also creates an environment that makes me feel comfortable and confident at the controls. I look forward to continuing my journey here with Tom and obtaining my PPL.
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Laura Denver profile picture
Laura Denver
23 August 2020
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Jordan s a good instructor.
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Vikram Bharadwaj profile picture
Vikram Bharadwaj
23 June 2026
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+0
Jacob was our instructor for this experience and he was so calm and patient with us. Helped us understand every small detail of a plane and we flew over the downtown and northern end. Great experience and views. Watch out for the weather when you book!
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Cochise Wanzer profile picture
Cochise Wanzer
29 June 2025
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Dan is dedicated, knowledgeable, reliable, and professional. He is always willing to go above and beyond to help and I have had a lot of fun learning to fly with him.
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Nadeem Shad profile picture
Nadeem Shad
30 June 2025
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What can I say this place is awesome. They have a great staff and great setup. Adrain goes above and beyond his duties. Get you very comfortable and at ease in the plane. I would recommend this flight school to anyone trying to get a PPL
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M_K G profile picture
M_K G
30 June 2025
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Have been taking lessons with Jakob for a while which has been great! He is detail oriented, patient, professional, punctual, and safety-minded. Briefs and debriefs are always clear and helpful. Highly recommended.
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William Marshall1 profile picture
William Marshall1
27 June 2025
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I am a student pilot who has been working with TJ and so far it has been a tremendous experience. TJ is very patient with me when I am confused on certain material, but also gives me the freedom to let me learn and dive into the world of flying with a sense of individuality. This structure and style of teaching is essential for me to evolve as a pilot, and it is evident in my progress so far. I am excited to continue working with TJ. I am excited to become a better pilot everyday, and a significant fraction of this excitement is due to my CFI (certified flight instructor). TJ amplifies my ability to become better and makes flying more of a structured progression rather than a “lesson”. I am thankful for the whole flight school (Executive) and everything all instructors have done for me so far! They are all great, but it is essential for me to highlight the fabulous experience TJ has provided because he is whom I have worked with and will continue to advance with.
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Nubian Divine profile picture
Nubian Divine
18 June 2020
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Magnificent Experience
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Yifanova profile picture
Yifanova
19 July 2025
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+1
Flying here is an extremely pleasant experience!Truman is a very caring and professional flight instructor!
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Paolo Atallah profile picture
Paolo Atallah
1 July 2025
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The way the school work is amazing, especially my instructor is great, he’s helped me out so much! I’ve learned so much from him! Overall this school is great, it’s efficient. The planes are also amazing, I love flying the planes! Overall I love this school
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Jake S profile picture
Jake S
24 May 2026
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+0
I did a discovery flight lesson with Dan and it was awesome! I’ve been interested in lessons for a long time, and it was the perfect intro. He does a great job of walking through everything in detail but also making it fun! He also made the time to go over any questions and explain anything I wanted to know more about. Now I can’t wait to sign up for some more! Definitely recommend booking an intro lesson with Dan if you’re considering it!!
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Chase Slagter profile picture
Chase Slagter
18 June 2025
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Zach Nystrom is a fantastic flight instructor! He is very professional and informative. He really understands how to instruct and demonstrates that every lesson!
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Jolie Boyke profile picture
Jolie Boyke
28 June 2025
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ADRIAN ROGERS IS THE BEST FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR EVER!!! Adrian has been my instructor for almost two years, he soloed me, and he's going to sign me off for my checkride. Adrian always makes the lessons so much fun, and he never ceases to make me laugh or make a joke in the airplane. He takes flying and safety very seriously and although he does make learning to fly fun, it's always done with safety first. Adrian has made me a better student pilot by constantly pushing my limitations, such as flying in low ceilings and high winds. This I believe has made me a better, more competent pilot. The phrase, "A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor" comes to mind, and he has definitely put that into practice, not just with me, but will all of his students! Thank you Adrian for everything you've taught me, experiences that you've given, and connections made!
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