CEFS-Home

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.

Try Our Introductory Flights!

4.6

125 reviews

Tailored Flight Training

Please call 1-800-901-0730 or fill our our contact form below and someone will get in touch with you.

Contact Form

Reviews

       EXCELLENT  
   Based on 136 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Cyd Runion 
 2 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Scott 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  
   
   Cochise Wanzer 
 29 June 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 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.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Mauro Salvatore 
 10 September 2021
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had 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  
   
   David DiBiase 
 24 June 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 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.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Chase Slagter 
 18 June 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Zach Nystrom is a fantastic flight instructor! He is very professional and informative. He really understands how to instruct and demonstrates that every lesson!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   mendel kustiner 
 24 July 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Total immersion flight was very informative and lots of fun. Great instructor
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Steve Franco 
 1 July 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Switched 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  
   
   derrk radja 
 12 October 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 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!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Darrell Harrison 
 3 January 2020
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very nice e
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Stuart Barlow 
 12 July 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. +0
Our instructor Jim was very welcoming from the onset. He explained everything really well and made things simple, and easy to understand.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Olechka Vdovichenko 
 23 June 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a fantastic experience at Chicago Executive Flight school , The instructors are highly knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely invested in student success. From day one, the staff was welcoming and professional, and the scheduling was flexible enough to fit my routine
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Benjamin Galbreath 
 1 June 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 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.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Aidan Fayhee 
 29 June 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had a great intro flight! T.J. did a fantastic job explaining and demonstrating the different components of flying the plane. Awesome experience, would highly recomend.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Adi 
 27 June 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 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.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Ethan Yates 
 1 July 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 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.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Norbert 
 29 July 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great 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  
   
   Nate Broski 
 1 July 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. +0
Raphael is the man!!! If you're looking for a flight school full of dedicated and extensively knowledgeable instructors, this is the school for you. I've been with Raphael since my intro flight, and he's always been gladly willing to go over the top to keep me on track to hit my goals. Scott has also been there from the first call, and always greets with a smile. Overall an incredibly professional and fun environment to learn in, with a nice fleet of aircraft as well. 10/10!!!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Justin Jetters 
 30 June 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Not 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  
   
   billandr 
 28 October 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. +5
CFI: Ryan Horvath As a working parent over 50, I never expected flight training to become more than a hobby — but my experience with Ryan Horvath and Chicago Executive Flight School has truly transformed it into a lifelong passion. Ryan’s patience and passion for aviation are unmatched. He’s not just focused on checkrides or hours — he’s dedicated to building safe, confident pilots. He’s the only instructor who ever made me love ground school — something I never thought possible. Every lesson is structured to ensure understanding, safety, and steady growth — never rushed, never just “for the hours.” This flight school is not about the money — it’s about quality instruction and mentorship. If your only goal is to check the PPL box, sure, other schools may do. But if you want to become a safe, well-trained pilot for life, this is the place to be. I can’t recommend Ryan or CEFS highly enough. They’ve changed the way I fly — and why I fly.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Anton Llakmani 
 27 June 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Jacob 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.
  
 
 
  
 
 
   Verified by Trustindex  Trustindex 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