I'm currently based at PWK. Did my private and IFR training there. Busy?
Yes. Too busy? I don't think so.

It is a big airport with lots of charter and business traffic. Makes it
interesting, in my mind. It is not a small country airport where you can
walk down the hangar line and drop in for a conversation and some hangar
flying.

It is expensive. Signature and North American Jet provide fuel and both are
expensive. But, both are 24-hour operations.

Tie down is around 120/month for a T-spot where you have to push your plane
back in. There are currently plenty of spots open. More expensive and a
waiting list for the pull-through spots. Hangars are virtually out of the
question because of price and availability - waiting list. They are building
new T-hangars but there is already a waiting list.

In the tie-down area, you get to know your neighbors. There is a small group
of pilots who do regular breakfast flights on the weekends and a regular
lunch on Wednesdays. Signature certainly provides everything you need, they
are not too far from the tie-down area, and there is a nice lounge where you
will usually find pilots hanging out.

There is maintenance on the field but it is also expensive. I use it when I
have to but I use Kenosha or Waukegan for my regular stuff.

Nice security. Noone on the field without a key card and a right to be
there. The FBOs will question you if they see you wandering around the
field. I like that.

Controllers are very friendly, I think. I've been flying there for about 8
years and have never had the least bit of confrontation with them. I have
heard them berate a pilot for doing something stupid - "Cessna 1234. Your're
on the F*cking runway without a clearance! Cleared for immediate takeoff and
learn your procedures before you come back!" Sounds like a good policy to
me! They don't have time to fool around. Neither do I. There is massive
amounts of training based on the field so the controllers are used to newbie
pilots who need some hand holding.

Socked in by O'Hare to the south. Traffic is 1800' MSL (1000' AGL) SE to the
lakeshore or SW from the DuPage area. 2500 W, NW, N, NE, and E.

Going south or east, it's a departure toward the lake and low levels over
populated areas. Along the lakeshore at 2500 for a nice view of the City.
What better way to start or end a flight? Around the bottom of the lake to
go east. Squeeze between Gary and Midway to go south.

Going SW is probably the most complicated. Low level departure from PWK,
clearance through DuPage or around it on either side.

North along the lakeshore, you've got Waukegan, Kenosha, and Milwaukee
airspace to deal with or you can get up above them.

NW or W, five miles outside of PWK you can shut your radio off.

Pleasure flying? Head NW and in 15 minutes you are over farm country.

Summary: Expensive, 24-hour operations, close to my house on the northshore.

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Travis

"Dave" wrote in message
m...
I live in Chicago (NW side) and recently purchased a Grumman Tiger.
Can anyone comment on the relative advantages/disadvantages of basing
it at 06C or PWK?

I have already done the research on costs, distance from home, airnav
info, etc., and am looking for comments from people with first-hand
experience as either based or transient pilots at either airport.

Thanks in advance,

Dave