Dave Piehler Posted October 9, 2014 Report Posted October 9, 2014 I flew into ZAU airspace today. Did it VFR. Got flight following from Madison Approach (always helpful) and a handoff to Rockford Approach (which the MSN controller wasn't sure they'd take). Chicago Approach never accepts handoffs, but RFD gave me their freq. and they were happy to give me flight followibg, no doubt to keep the FLIB right outside the South side of the Bravo airspace from messing up Midway arrivals. Once East of Chicago I cancelled flight following and proceeded to my destination. From listening on the approach frequencies it's clear that the air carriers are doing okay into MDW. Bizjets were coming out okay, but I heard a few of them getting inconvenient vectors due to radar coverage issueas, so I'll bet they're still going to go VFR if possible. The say ZAU should be back in businerss Monday. Taking bets, anyone? Quote
cloud116 Posted October 10, 2014 Report Posted October 10, 2014 I am heading to the south chicago area next weekend, coming in from the NW. Never flown in the Chicago area before. Any words of wisdom as to which airport to land and stay for a few days? Quote
Bob_Belville Posted October 10, 2014 Report Posted October 10, 2014 I always used Meigs. Unfortunately... Quote
pirate Posted October 10, 2014 Report Posted October 10, 2014 RFD controllers are ALWAYS the best. DKB great staff ( better fuel prices ) O6C, ARR are also good airports. PWK, MDW DPA way expensive. Quote
Bravoman Posted October 10, 2014 Report Posted October 10, 2014 Just got here to Chicago yesterday. Landed at Chicago-gary which is just a short train ride from the city. Great airport and very helpful folks at Coleman aviation. $5.05 avgas as well. Not much farther than midway and a whole lot cheaper. The train station is right by the airport and they give you a ride. The airspace mess sucks. It caused us to be sent over ft Wayne and goshen coming up from Atlanta. Probably added 30 minutes to the trip. I understand the fallout from this might last several more days and it might be easier departing ifr out of Gary vs midway. Quote
Seth Posted October 10, 2014 Report Posted October 10, 2014 I flew from Maryland to Peoria (3MY) and came back the same day. It became apparent to me that the areas around Chicago are not getting any feeds. So, when I checked into certain approach controls and centers, they asked me where I departed from and my destination even though I was already cleared. A lot of aircraft were coming from the North (Chicago area) VFR and trying to pick up their IFR clearance, which was not on file, so they would simply give information and be put on a pop up plan. When they hit Indy Center, they were given their climb clearance. This was on Tuesday, 10/7/14.  They stated to a few pilots that they expect to hopefully be up and running on Monday again for the first time, but have the fall back plan of what they are doing. Frankly, as a backup plan, it's working, but those controllers are working VERY HARD.  I was routed South around the Chicago Center airspace to the South to get to Peoria which is well South West of Chicago.  -Seth Quote
carusoam Posted October 10, 2014 Report Posted October 10, 2014 What happened to the guy that is responsible for his great plan? That was surely well thought out? Best regards, -a- Quote
mooniac15u Posted October 10, 2014 Report Posted October 10, 2014 Just about every airport across northern Indiana and Illinois has the following NOTAM: Â "Service(s) see flight data center 4/1552 CHICAGO Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) OUTof SERVICE September 30th, 2014 at 02:30 PM EDT (1409301830) - October 13th, 2014 at 07:59 PM EDT (1410132359)" Â It sounds like Monday is the goal. Quote
Seth Posted October 13, 2014 Report Posted October 13, 2014 Back up and running today as normal or are there still issues? Â -Seth Quote
Amelia Posted October 13, 2014 Report Posted October 13, 2014 I regret to say, I frankly don't care what ZAU does or does not do. The rudest controller I ever heard, nastily scolded a hapless VFR pilot late one quiet night for informing ZAU of an altitude change. I couldn't help my sweet Southern self. I drawled, "Wow, SOMEbody has had a really bad day."Â Another pilot on freq said, "Really. Welcome to Chicago Center!" I looked forward to my annual trip to Chicago, even the hair-raising approach in IMC one night to Midway, breaking out to find skyscrapers on both sides disappearing into the clouds. Yikes! But when they plowed Meigs, I decided the city could do without my meager contributions to its coffers. There are lots of places gladder to see me and my money. 2 Quote
Bravoman Posted October 14, 2014 Report Posted October 14, 2014 Chicago is a great city, particularly if you like to eat. Departed out of Gary on Sunday, and couldn't get my release so went vfr and picked up my ifr clearance further south with Grissom. No big deal really, but lucky wx cooperated to be able to do that. Definitely needed to be instruments the further south we got. Quote
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