PIREP on Chicago Midway

[RobertE]

I've got to go to Chicago in about a week for a college reunion for the first time in my aircraft. Midway is the closest to my final destination. Any tips, including recommended FBO?

[mooneyman]

Midway is great! Close to the city! I have had good experiences there. Controllers talk fast but are accommodating to GA aircraft. I always file IFR flight plan in. Have use Signature FBO. Good service. Nice facilities. Not sure about other FBOs on field. Have also flown into Gary and Lansing. MDW is much better!

[201er]

Expect to be hit with every fee imaginable. Landing fee, Parking Fee, Ramp Fee, Security Fee, Baggage Fee, Bathroom Fee, etc. It ain't cheap but it's a great location. Prepare to fly an ILS approach between 737s. Make sure you can keep the speed up. Study the taxiway diagram in advance cause it is nuts. They have a ton of runways that intersect like mad. I've been to Midway twice in my Mooney and it was all good but definitely a bit of work. It's busy like a bravo airport, not like most of those do-nothing charlies. Also don't be surprised if the controllers are extremely rude and not too professional. I think it has to do with where they're from O:-)

[RobertE]

Thanks, guys. I don't mind the rudeness or fast talking but the fees I can do without. Any experience with Chicago exec anyone want to share?

[M20F]

06C is probably the best airport in terms of location to get to the city aside from ORD or MDW. It is right by the train and the FBO should be able to run you up (you could walk if you just had a duffle). KPWK is a non-event but depending on time of day could be a long taxi ride into the city.

[gjkirsch]

Been into Midway many times,  The controllers do talk fast, be prepared for the ILS, they will ask how much speed you can give them (they like 160 knots or more).  Prevailing winds normally set you up for the ILS to 31Center.  If you are in vfr or break out early enough, request to side step to 31 left.  It dead ends pretty much at signature fbo.  Try and depart VFR.  They will take you right out over the city at pretty much a 90 degree heading at 3000 feet and drop you off over the lake.  You can then get flight following or do whatever you want.  If you need to go out IFR, have plenty of paper to copy and be prepared for the longest hold of your life if traffic is heavy. 

[BigTex]

Reviving an old thread... I'm planning a trip to Chicago on the way home from Oshkosh this year. A couple of airports were mentioned but I wanted to get everyone's thoughts on the best GA friendly airport in Chicagoland?

[Bob_Belville]

I always used Meigs. I hear the runway might be a little rough for a Mooney these days.

[Bartman]

We flew into MDW about 4 years ago for a conference. We were VFR and had a great experience. It was not cheap, but I don't remember how much the fees were. What we do remember is how much fun it was coming in with Southwest landing at the same time on the parallel runway.

Study the runway and taxi diagram an it's a blast.

[BigTex]

Right now I'm leaning toward Chicago Executive but also considering DuPage or Aurora as well.

[carusoam]

I used Gary, IN. 1/2 hour Rental car drive to the city.

KGYY

It worked. Was easy. Made sense coming from the East.

We were dodging a Hurricane on the coast, got out of town, while the insurance company generously picked up the fuel bill...

Best regards,

-a-

[MB65E]

DPA is great! ILS, and almost more concrete than ORD. Lol. If you need to go to the north west suburbs or such. Schaumburg (06C) is a sweet little airport. PWK can be a bit expensive but not as bad as MWD. Nice corporate services at PWK too. Just depends on where you need to be.

-Matt

[BigTex]

Just noticed that Northwest Flyers at 06C is a Mooney Service Center... How can I turn that FBO down?

[MB65E]

Hopefully the service has improved since I was there last. The prior owner was kinda silly. He believed that his flight school airplanes didn't need to do 100hr inspections while operating. Went thru several dealings with the FSDO.

But, I love the airport! Had my first date with my now wife there at Pilot Peats. Nice place, Funny thing is she now thinks all the airport restaurants are suppose to be like that! I think there are a few mooneyspacers here based there.

Safe travels!

-Matt

[Ned Gravel]

Right now I'm leaning toward Chicago Executive but also considering DuPage or Aurora as well.

 

 

+1 for both of these.  Used DuPage for work in the south and Executive for work in the North.