Chicago Flying

No change other than no tower at Miegs. I regularly fly down the lakeshore
and around the city - either looping around on the west side of the city and
back north or squeeze between Midway and O'Hare and out west. Not much space
to work with either vertically or laterally but it works.

Midway controllers are pretty understanding and helpful but I know that
there is reluctance to bother them. Some pilots monitor O'Hare approach,
some monitor Miegs. Few bother to make contact. Bottom line - less safe as
its all up to see and avoid.

Now we are going to have a heliport right downtown. I haven't been able to
determine the exact plans but I don't think that they are going to staff a
tower. Even if there is not a lot of traffic, it will have to come in over
the lake mixing with any fixed wing passing through. Bottom line - even
more less safe.

It would be nice if they designated (and published) a CTAF for traffic along
the lakeshore so everyone could freely broadcast position reports. Is there
any precedent for such a thing or does it depend on grassroots effort to
start an unofficial convention?

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Travis
"Marty" wrote in message
...
A question to all you IL.guys.

How has flying down the Chi.lakefront changed since 9/11?

I used to fly down the lakefront quite regularly when I lived up there. It
was always a nice finish to dinner at Lake Lawn. I kinda miss the chats
with the Miegs :-( and Midway folks.

Marty