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
Brad Smith16 June 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Very positive experience! My instructor Dave knows this industry inside and out and will help you every inch of the way! He is one of the icons of aviation. Thanks CEFS-Posted on Google
William Marshall127 June 2025I 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.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
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
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
Troy Chinnici13 July 2026Max was an incredible instructor. He gave us a great ride with tremendous views.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
Josh J1 July 2025Ryan 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!Posted on Google
Patrick Desamito23 July 2022First and foremost! Thank you Logan for such an amazing experience during our flight! It was so surreal, you were a great instructor, and I look forward to flying again! For those who want to try, you should!! Just don’t be deterred by the possibility of rescheduling a few times because this experience is very weather dependent. They want you to have a great time with clear skies so you can truly appreciate the view of the Chicago skyline! It’s so worth it!Posted on Google
Asha McCaughan30 June 2025Jakob Kjeldbjerg is an excellent instructor! He always makes sure his students are understanding concepts and having fun! ✈️🌎⭐️Posted on Google
billandr28 October 2025CFI: 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.+5Posted on Google
Maddy Ben-Yoseph17 June 2025Jakob is the BEST INSTRUCTOR EVER!!!!!!!! He is incredibly kind, reliable, patient, and dedicated. He always creates a calm and supportive environment that has made a huge difference in building my confidence as a pilot. His consistency, professionalism, and passion for aviation makes him someone you can trust and genuinely look forward to flying with. Jakob is always willing to go over lessons (both in the plane and on the ground), no matter how many times it takes. He constantly goes the extra mile by creating resources, diagrams, and customized study plans for his students, which has helped me stay organized and on track with training. During my first solo, Jakob made the day feel so special. You can tell how much joy he takes in seeing his students succeed during milestone moments like that. I can’t recommend Jakob highly enough. ⚡️ I also want to give a shout out to the amazing team at Chicago Executive Flight School. Every instructor is kind, approachable, and always ready to help. Scott is a fantastic operations VP who genuinely enjoys keeping up with student progress, and Dave is an outstanding safety officer, flying with him is always a joy.Posted on Google
Roger Steinbach19 October 2025What 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!Posted on Google
Jenny Johnson27 June 2025Ryan H is the best. He's very patient, knowledgeable, encouraging and has saved my ass a few times. If you're looking for an instructor I'd highly recommend Ryan/CEFS.+0Posted on Google
Sam E30 June 2025Chicago Executive Flight School is an absolute gem. The instructors are top-notch, the environment is supportive, and flying out of Chicago Executive (PWK) makes you feel like a mini rockstar every time you hit the throttle. Major shoutout to Ryan — one of the best instructors I’ve ever met. He’s incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and somehow makes steep turns and emergency procedures feel... fun? Not sure how he does it, but if you’re flying with Ryan, you’re in very good hands (and probably laughing a little along the way). Also want to give props to Dan, my first instructor, who got me off the ground both literally and figuratively. Dan set the tone early with his calm, steady teaching — and probably deserves a medal for not flinching during my first landing. The whole school runs like a well-trimmed checklist — super organized, encouraging, and genuinely focused on helping you succeed. Bottom line: if you’re thinking about flight training, stop Googling — this is the spot. Just be ready to fall in love with aviation... and maybe pick up a few inside jokes along the way.Posted on Google
Keith Miller20 May 2019Chicago Executive Flight School is definitely a trusted source for Pilot training in my book. Jim and his instructors will go out of there way to make sure you get the training you are looking for.Posted 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
Vikram Bharadwaj23 June 2026Jacob 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!+0Posted on Google
Matt Vanderveen16 June 2025I have had a wonderful experience here. Everyone has been very helpful and friendly. My instructor Raphael has been great to work with and has done a good job focusing my training in the areas that need more work.Posted on Google
Illya Scherban15 June 2026I had a discovery flight on a Cessna 172 as a gift, and honestly, I didn’t expect it to be this amazing. What surprised me the most is that I was actually able to control the airplane myself for most of the flight. That feeling is just unbelievable. My instructor, Ryan Horvath, was fantastic. You can truly see his passion for flying and teaching. He explained everything clearly and made me feel comfortable the entire time, even though my English is not perfect. I highly recommend this flight school to anyone. Even if you’ve never thought about flying before, you should try it at least once. The feeling of freedom and being in the sky is something you will never forget.+2Verified 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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