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.
For more information, call us at 1-800-901-0730.
For more information, call us at 1-800-901-0730.
4.6
125 reviews
Please call 1-800-901-0730 or fill our our contact form below and someone will get in touch with you.
Reviews
Posted on Google
Stuart Barlow12 July 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Our instructor Jim was very welcoming from the onset. He explained everything really well and made things simple, and easy to understand.+0Posted on Google
Luke Monckton28 June 2025This 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.Posted on Google
Cyd Runion2 July 2026Scott and the instructors here are really great. They took their time with our Girl Scout troop and the girls have a great experience to look back on. I fly myself so it was nice to hear such knowledgeable instructors share their love of flying and kept the girls entertained while still treating them as future pilots. That kind of care carries over into the cockpit. I wouldn't hesitate to fly with this outfit!Posted on Google
Эмилия Ивах26 August 2026Amazing experience with Luke! The flight was absolutely incredible, with beautiful views of Chicago and the lake. Luke was very friendly, professional, and made us feel comfortable the entire time. I even got to fly the plane myself for almost half of the flight, which made the experience even more special! Everything was explained clearly, and I felt safe and confident throughout the flight. It was such a unique and unforgettable experience. I would definitely recommend Chicago Executive Flight School to anyone who wants to experience flying and see Chicago from a completely different perspective! ✈️ Highly recommend!+2Posted on Google
Norbert29 July 2025Great first time hands on experience for both myself and my 8 year old son got to fly an airplane ✈️ Raphael did a great job throughout entire experience 👏Posted on Google
Danylo Mykytash27 June 2025From day one, the entire team made me feel welcome and supported. The school is extremely well organized, and you can tell they take safety and professionalism very seriously, while still making learning to fly a lot of fun. Tom McNeill is an outstanding instructor. He’s patient, knowledgeable, and has a great way of breaking down complex concepts into simple, easy-to-understand steps. Whether we were working on basic maneuvers, landings, or preparing for the checkride, he always took the time to answer my questions and made sure I felt confident before moving on. What I appreciated most is that Tom never made me feel rushed or intimidated. He genuinely cares about his students’ success and progress, and that comes through in every lesson. Thanks to his guidance, I’ve become a much more skilled and confident pilot than I ever thought possible. If you’re considering flight training, I highly recommend Chicago Executive Flight School. Ask for Tom—he’s one of the best instructors you could hope for.Posted on Google
Liam Eadie27 June 2025Had a great experience getting my PPL here! Jakob Kjeldbjerg was my instructor and he did a great job.Posted on Google
Mauro Salvatore10 September 2021Had my first flight lesson here and had an absolute blast!! Our instructor Logan was the absolute man! Professional and informative but hilarious and fun at the same time. He truly made our experience unforgettable and I'll be requesting him and only him for every ensuing lesson. Amazing school. Amazing instructor. Amazing experience. 10/10 would recommend.Posted on Google
Steve Franco1 July 2025Switched schools from another school to go here. They got me through private pilot and I’m continuing through my instrument rating with them.Posted on Google
Michael5 July 2025I completed my private pilot training at Chicago Executive Flight School, and I truly can’t speak highly enough about the quality of instruction I received particularly from my instructor, Zachary Nystrom. I got assigned zach with a few hours from a previous instructor but hadn’t made much real progress. That completely changed when I started flying with Zach. From the start, he brought a level of consistency, and patience that made every lesson feel purposeful and enjoyable. He has a unique ability to keep things grounded and understandable without oversimplifying. He’s not just knowledgeable he’s relatable, approachable, and has a sense of humor that made long days around the airport feel more like time well spent than a task to get through. He created an environment where learning actually felt enjoyable, which is particularly rare for me and incredibly valuable. What really set Zach apart was his investment in my progress. He went above and beyond not only during regular lessons, but especially as my checkride approached. He put in extra time with me on both ground and flight prep, and even chose to stay back from attending Oshkosh so he could make sure I had the time and support I needed to feel completely ready. That kind of dedication isn’t something you come across often, and I credit much of my success on the checkride to the work we put in together. The aircraft at the school were overall in good condition. While the avionics leaned more toward the traditional side, I found that to be a benefit rather than a drawback. Training without modern automation pushed me to really build strong core skills particularly with navigation and situational awareness that I know will serve me well going forward. Chicago Executive Flight School is a solid place to train, and I’d definitely recommend it. But more importantly, if you have the chance to work with Zach Nystrom, take it. He’s a knowledgable instructor, a great communicator, and someone who clearly takes pride in his students succsess not just a checkride pass.Posted on Google
JWinks 1430 June 2025as a high school student, being able to balance athletics, work, and flight lessons seemed daunting at first, but executive flight school made it easy to manage that balance. their scheduling is very flexible and have never had an issue finding a last-minute slot to add to my schedule. i’ve been flying with my instructor, Tom, since August 2024 and i feel i’ve learned a great deal from him. he’s friendly, easygoing, and never fails to make a lesson exciting while keeping it educational. he’s always ready to lend a helping hand and makes sure i practice not just to completion, but to consistency. the planes i flown (c150) have all been in great flying condition and i’ve never experienced issues flying these planes. if any issue were to ever arise, i feel well-prepared to manage said issue based on the material i’ve been taught. i recommend this school and my instructor!Posted on Google
Jolie Boyke28 June 2025ADRIAN 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!Posted on Google
B B7 May 2024Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
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!Posted on Google
Sam Soulari1 July 2025Chicago 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.Posted on Google
Justin Jetters30 June 2025Not to sound cliché, but i spent a long time searching for a flight school in the Chicago-Land area and this was it for me. Proximity to my house and job, I couldn’t beat it. My instructor Dan accommodates to my crazy work schedule and still ensures that I am learning the necessary things to propel my journey.Posted on Google
Tim Doyle18 July 2021Good place to get flying experience.Posted on Google
Erin C23 April 2018My 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!Posted on Google
Anton Llakmani27 June 2025Jacob is a great instructor. He's very thorough and consistent and has a lot of knowledge. I have learned a lot and enjoy working with him.Posted on Google
David DiBiase24 June 2025Adrian 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.Posted on Google
Joseph Ryu25 June 2025Extremely kind and knowledgeable instructors. Very satisfied to study under their expertise. Shout out to Raphael!Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
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