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
Michael Mroz1 July 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Ryan Horvath is a top tier instructor at the Chicago Executive Flight School (C.E.F.S.), and is what I consider to be a product of his own environment. That is to say, Ryan's capabilities and competencies as a flight instructor were forged from the very foundation that C.E.F.S. sets in terms of excellence as it relates to their training, hiring, and selection of flight instructor candidates. As someone who actually completed his CFI rating at C.E.F.S., Ryan has proven to be the embodiment of the standard that C.E.F.S. continues to uphold as one of the premiere flight schools in the greater Chicagoland area. If there is one thing that distinguishes Ryan from his peers and most flight instructors, it's that he brings with him a level of enthusiasm that is unparalleled. Indeed, Ryan genuinely WANTS to teach and flight instruct, as opposed to most CFIs in this world who are merely instructing as an economical means to build their flight time to get to the airlines. For that reason alone, I would highly recommend you sign up to take a discovery flight with Ryan at C.E.F.S. to see if flying is for you!Posted on Google
Paolo Atallah1 July 2025The 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 schoolPosted on Google
Federico Tamborrel27 June 2025It 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.Posted on Google
James McFarland7 June 2025Jakob Kjeldbjerg is a fantastic flight instructor! He takes the time to thoroughly explain everything and is a joy to fly with. I’d highly recommend Chicago Executive Flight School for learning to fly. The people there are the best!Posted on Google
Stuart Barlow12 July 2025Our instructor Jim was very welcoming from the onset. He explained everything really well and made things simple, and easy to understand.+0Posted on Google
william elsea3 August 2025My instructor was Caley and she was very nice, informative and most importantly patient with me. Had a lot of fun and learned a lot in that small lesson. Thank you Caley if you see this. Had a wonderful time+3Posted on Google
Kyle29 June 2025I started taking lessons at Flight School about 2 years ago. Since then, I've spent many hours with my instructor, Dan. It's hard to say just how grateful I am to have him as my instructor. From day 1, Dan has been nice, helpful and very patient in my learning process. He puts a lot of time and effort into making sure I understand new concepts, and can effectively apply them in the cockpit. His teaching method is highly effective, and it has led to me learning a great deal from him, which is the reason for my progression in training. Even beyond the classroom and cockpit, Dan continues to show an interest in my life outside of flying, and works hard with me to ensure I'm able to continue working to improve my knowledge and skills to progress in training. This is so much more than I expected when I first started taking lessons, but I'm so grateful for Dan's commitment to my advancement and passion for aviation. Flying with Dan has taught me skills that will help in and out of the cockpit for the rest of my life.Posted on Google
Micah Fishman18 April 2026Awesome experience. This was a surprise birthday gift. Jakob was an amazing instructor who explained everything clearly, answered questions, and set expectations (and nailed our landing at PWK). A great first exposure to the world of flight.+2Posted on Google
Caroline Jensen1 July 2025I 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!Posted on Google
Cochise Wanzer29 June 2025Dan 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
Adi27 June 2025Just 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
Joseph Ryu25 June 2025Extremely kind and knowledgeable instructors. Very satisfied to study under their expertise. Shout out to Raphael!Posted on Google
Nate Broski1 July 2025Raphael 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!!!+0Posted on Google
james Frugoli27 June 2025I am a current student, and Zach is my instructor. Zach does a great job of pushing his students to do the best, and is a very good teacher. he is awesome.Posted on Google
Chase Slagter18 June 2025Zach 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
Karina Rodríguez17 June 2025Amazing experience with T.JPosted on Google
Serhel Yaraslau22 November 2025Jakob was a good instructorPosted on Google
michael maitar17 June 2025I 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.Posted on Google
Sam Soulari1 July 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
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.Posted on Google
David Pallchizaca22 June 2025Hello 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.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
Our Total Immersion Flights Are a Great Way to Begin Your Training You Fly the Plane with a Certified Instructor
World class training with experienced instructors that put you in command!
There is no better way to see Chicago! Try one of our Total Immersion Downtown Chicago Flights!
Choose from our fleet of well maintained and safe aircraft.
Take control of the skies!
Photo Gallery
