Chicago Executive Flight School, Wheeling

Jim Kwasek, owner and chief pilot of Chicago Executive Flight School, pumps blood through Chicago’s aviation community as the president of the local pilots' organization and a vocal advocate for the joys of flight. His journey to the presidency began with just one Cessna 150, and since then that Cessna 150 has birthed two Cessna 172s, two C23 Sundowners, and a C24R Sierra. With this family of winged wonders, his team of passionate, certified pilots teach students safe flying techniques. During FAA-flight training, they guide students through programs for private and commercial licenses or flight-instructor and advanced-kite-herder training.

They also give prepilots an introduction through total-immersion flights. In these hands-on sessions, newcomers live out an actual pilot’s routine: practicing pre-, post-, and standard flight protocol while skimming the countryside, lakeshores, and north side of downtown Chicago.