Excellence in Flight Training Since 1994.
Come fly with us!

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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Silvester Nicholson profile picture
Silvester Nicholson
21 February 2020
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I'm using this flight school for PPL and it works with my busy schedule. They have good plane availability, and a variety of instructors to fit your learning style. You do need to be self aware of your shortcomings tho, so you can request more practice on the things you're not comfortable (or skilled) yet. Highly recommend to bring an SD of 32GB or more because they'll be recording your flight so you can do self reflection and find weak areas to practice on.
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Roger Steinbach profile picture
Roger Steinbach
19 October 2025
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What a great time! My daughter gifted me a "total immersion flight" package for Father's Day which I upgraded to a "buddy flight" so we could both fly the plane. Everyone at Chicago Executive Flight School was very friendly, helpful and professional. We had an experience we will never forget. Go for it!
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Stuart Barlow profile picture
Stuart Barlow
12 July 2025
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+0
Our instructor Jim was very welcoming from the onset. He explained everything really well and made things simple, and easy to understand.
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Megan O’Toole profile picture
Megan O’Toole
27 June 2025
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Executive flight school is so fun to fly at! My instructor is Jakob and im so glad!! He’s very level headed and calm which is really nice during flying and ground lessons. Whenever I’m unsure of something he always points me in the right direction without judgement which is so awesome and really appreciated. I feel as though I do not have to worry when I fly about anything bad happening because I trust his flying skills and judgement. He’s always very kind and never in a terrible mood. Jakob is also very patient and understanding, and always encourages me to do my best. He always makes sure I know what im doing in advance to make sure I have time to prepare which is incredibly appreciated! Flying has been definitely an awesome experience and I always learn so much during my lessons. I also find ground very helpful as well. Jakob explains all the materials very well and I know what is required of me to get to where I need to go. He has me set goals for what I should do during flying and outside of flying. I also appreciate his sense of humor. Everyone at executive is super kind, calm, and helpful which is awesome! I had the pleasure of taking my 10 hour check with Dave, who is really neat to talk to! I couldn’t have asked for a better flight school and instructor.
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Benjamin Galbreath profile picture
Benjamin Galbreath
1 June 2025
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I’m a current student at Chicago Executive Flight School and my instructor is Zach Nystrom. He’s great and very helpful, always answers my questions and understands how to teach!! Would recommend him for sure.
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Artem Riabykh profile picture
Artem Riabykh
26 July 2026
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+0
My wife made me a gift and scheduled a flight with this school. The fight itself was a little short compared to all the preparations, but it was exciting and memorable
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Luke Monckton profile picture
Luke Monckton
28 June 2025
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This flight school is truly one of a kind. Not only did it prepare me for a Part 141 flight school in Boca Raton, FL, but it gave me a completely new outlook on aviation. From the upbeat, welcoming people, to the deep pool of aviation knowledge, CEFS has you covered. I’d like to personally thank who I believe to be the coolest person on earth, Ryan. He’s one of the most humble, professional, and respectful people I’ve had the pleasure of flying with. Every time I made a mistake, he would both correct me in the moment, and in advance. I could go on, but you get the idea. This is what I call a true, and well thought out flight school. Honorable mention to Jakob Kjeldbjerg, always answered questions when Ryan wasn’t there for me, he cared for me as if I were his student. Thank you to all the amazing flight instructors I’ve had the honor to meet. Thank you Ryan.
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Lesley Ayala profile picture
Lesley Ayala
25 June 2025
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+0
I am a student pilot at Chicago Executive Flight School and my CFI Caley Halloran is an inherent instructor. She has been patient and supportive through my journey of earning a private pilot license. She continues to supply me with resources to become an excellent pilot. Request Caley as your CFI!!!
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Josh J profile picture
Josh J
1 July 2025
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Ryan Horvath is the best instructor out there. He got me through my first milestone in aviation where others would have just been careless in bringing up the right training. He was always there to get me to that finish line and now being 2 years out I still talk with him. Truly one of a kind instructor you won’t find easily! Ever grateful, ever true… Thanks Ryan!
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David DiBiase profile picture
David DiBiase
24 June 2025
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Adrian Rogers has gone above and beyond helping me with my ground training lessons for my Private Pilot quest. He has also helped me with my Piloting skill sets, and he makes sure your understanding and retaining the lesson at hand.
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Federico Tamborrel profile picture
Federico Tamborrel
27 June 2025
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It has been an incredible experience learning to fly with Chicago executive flight school. All the instructors are incredibly knowledge and talented and ensure you are able learn at your own pace. They are all also attentive and flexible for scheduling. I have been flying with Ryan for the past year or so and he has done a great job at teaching me and working to improve areas of weakness. Cannot recommend this flight school enough if you are eager to learn to fly.
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Ethan Yates profile picture
Ethan Yates
1 July 2025
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Truman (Chiang) YuCheng is an outstanding flight instructor. He is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to everything aviation related and always has a way of making complicated topics seem much simpler. He is very kind, easy to talk to, and always patient when answering lots of questions. He has undoubtedly made learning how to fly both fun and enjoyable.
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Deep Patel profile picture
Deep Patel
1 July 2025
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Truman has been my flight instructor as of recent and he is extremely helpful and explains the material and lessons in depth. Having a very fun time learning this new skill! He is always helpful and really tries to help you understand the more basic concepts and then brings in the advanced content - so there is always a flow. I would highly recommend Truman as an instructor to anyone!
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Serhel Yaraslau profile picture
Serhel Yaraslau
22 November 2025
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Jakob was a good instructor
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Erin C profile picture
Erin C
23 April 2018
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My son had his first flight lesson today. He loved it! Jim was great. He spent some time showing him different ways pilots track weather. Then showed him different parts of the plane. The flight itself was fun and exciting! Afterwards he emailed us the flight pattern and other aspects of the day. We will definitely go back for more lessons! My son said this was one of the best days of his life! He loved it!
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Steve Franco profile picture
Steve Franco
1 July 2025
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Switched schools from another school to go here. They got me through private pilot and I’m continuing through my instrument rating with them.
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B B profile picture
B B
7 May 2024
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Do not believe them when they say your flight lesson will “NEVER” be cancelled due to weather. I’ve rescheduled 4 times now after driving an hour here because they refuse to call or communicate ahead of time. **Edit to respond: I’ve already done the ground training and it should be easily seen by your people when booking. There is zero reason why someone can’t call and tell me we can’t fly today vs waiting for me to drive an hour there. It’s inconsiderate of your customers time. Update: I Rescheduled and they called 2 hours before to inform me that we would fly. They listened to my feedback and I greatly appreciate that. I flew with Ryan and it was a blast, I then rescheduled another lesson with Ryan!
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Izabella Rossi profile picture
Izabella Rossi
1 July 2025
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Truman is an amazing instructor. A great teacher for ground school, and very patient and professional in the flight lessons. I always look forward to flying with him. Adrian also did my intro flight and it was such an amazing experience I’ll remember forever! He was very encouraging and his flight experience and professionalism shows through strongly. They’re both the best!!
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Adi profile picture
Adi
27 June 2025
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Just wanted to give a huge shoutout to my guy Raphael Schroepfer — pretty sure I was one of his first students at CEFS, but now I just get to say, “I knew him before he was fully booked.” 😄 Jokes apart, we still manage to find time that works for both of us, and it’s been an awesome experience learning with him. He’s incredibly calm, patient, and always eager to help out, no matter how many questions you throw at him. Whether it’s giving that added explanation or breaking something down even further, he’s always got your back. I’ve flown with a few other instructors at CEFS too — and I genuinely enjoy flying with them as well! Credit to Raphael for always looking out for ways to make sure I can keep flying, even when he’s busy with other students. That said, I’ve spent most of my flying hours with him, and I’m really happy to have him as my assigned primary instructor. We’ve built a solid understanding, and that makes every flight smoother and more fun. Also, hats off to the Chicago Executive Flight School for maintaining the planes well, and also creating such a supportive and fun vibe. Whether you're up in the air or just hanging out with the CFIs and other students, it’s a place you actually look forward to being at.
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Jo Ba profile picture
Jo Ba
27 June 2025
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Zach is a good instructor. He's able to break down complicated issues like weather and systems and explain them in a way that helped me understand.
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