Chicago Area Airports

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dstclair
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Chicago Area Airports

Post by dstclair »

I am attending a funeral in the northern Chicago burbs (Libertyville) this weekend. I'll need a rental car. Looks like many of the airports have ramp fees. Any recommendations on small airplane friendly airports for an overnight stay?
dave
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MrMorden
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Re: Chicago Area Airports

Post by MrMorden »

Look into Poplar Grove or Dekalb Taylor. Not in the city, but close by.
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dstclair
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Re: Chicago Area Airports

Post by dstclair »

I need something a bit closer so my commute back to the airport allows me to get back to Dallas before dark on Saturday. Was leaning towards Schaumburg.
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drseti
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Re: Chicago Area Airports

Post by drseti »

I always used Palwaukee, but haven't been in there in years.
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dstclair
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Re: Chicago Area Airports

Post by dstclair »

Checked the weather multiple times yesterday and forecast all along the route was basically clear with it being a little breezy in Chicago. All systems go. This morning the forecast was essentially the same with a small area of NW Arkansas forecasting 7000' few/scattered. There was a 25 mile long line of T-storms on the western edge of our route around Ft Smith, Arkansas that was moving very slowly towards our route. I replotted to go another 30nm east of our original route. Nothing else on the Nexrad. Off we go!

After around an hour and 80nm from Ft Smith, we ran into a scattered layer at 5500'. Winds we not favorable higher so we dropped down to stay clear of clouds. ADS-B weather was showing the line of T-storms well to our NW. Local AWOS/ATIS were reporting clear below 12000'. We had flight following and our route was reported to be clear of any weather. We went about 10nm at 4000' (3000' AGL), then the skies mostly cleared so we went back up to 5500'. Went another 5-10nm and clouds were in the path again at our level. ADS-B weather showed more local showers 20-20nm ahead in multiple locations. I would need to go up at least 4k feet to get clear of the clouds and I wasn't completely sure that would work. It was also apparent that the cloud layer was getting closer to the ground. I knew I had 5K scattered (or better) to the South behind me with no precipitation forming. North and West looked to be dropping to 3.5K. East was about the same.

It was at that point that I decided it was time to turn around and go home. Just no prudent path to continue the flight to Chicago. Flew 4500' of smooth air back to Dallas.
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Re: Chicago Area Airports

Post by Merlinspop »

Great report!

Excellent use of tools available and decision making. :D
- Bruce
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