On 29 Nov 2006 16:17:29 -0800, "Chad Speer"
wrote:

We're visiting friends who live in downtown Chicago next weekend and

Also, any comments on the advantages of IFR and VFR in the area are
appreciated. I usually file IFR, but I have no desire to get the
guided tour. :-)


Chicago has a ton of area airports, but if you are trying to fly
closest to downtown, there are really only 3 choices:
Palwaukee (PWK), OHare (ORD), and Midway (MDW).

ORD is, well ORD, one of the busiest airports in the world. I would
rule it out unless you are seeking out an adventure. I believe
arrival slots are required, and the landing fee is steep. I have
never flown there, so my comments are hearsay.

PWK is a nice airport, with nice FBOs, but it is still a long drive
from downtown, especially so in rush hour traffic (1hr).

Midway is the closest to downtown of the 3. It is probably also the
easiest to access when arriving from the SouthWest, so that is where I
would go.

I would call ahead to the FBOs (MillionAir?) to ask for latest fuel
price, landing fees, tiedown/overnight fees, and if any of these are
waived for purchasing fuel. Reading the airnav.com site, the charges
seem to be a point of contention. Either way, I would expect to
outlay for some combination of $5.00 fuel, $10.00 landing fee and $50
ramp fee.

MDW also is served by the Orange Line El Train so if your company gets
tied up, and you lose your ride, you could take the El train back to
MDW.

IFR. I have never flown IFR into MDW, but I do not think you will get
vectored too badly coming in from the SW. Do expect to get sent lower
(3000), probably as you near the Joliet VOR (JOT) or perhaps further
West. I would probably file to the JOTv, and then expect to get
vectors upon reaching JOT, or perhaps the CGTv.

VFR. If you are on flight-following, center will drop you around 30
miles West of the ORD Bravo. Chicago Approach for flight following
will be 119.35 in that area. There are a lot of MDW arrivals in that
area, so I always feel more comfortable with Approach calling out
traffic.

-Nathan