Skill Aviation

The best flight school in middle west!
Well maintained aircrafts, great instructors!

Skill Aviation is by-​far the best flight school in the United States. I completed everything from instrument to my commercial multi-​engine ratings with Skill Aviation in 2008, and I go out of my way to return for refresher flights when I am back in the area; I currently live on the west coast and I haven’t found a school that closely resembles what Skill has to offer. Since 2008, I have had the opportunity to watch Skill expand with a state-​of-​the-​art fleet, improved training aids, and very knowledgeable instructors. The wonderful staff realizes that this hobby/​education/​career is not cheap, and they ensure that the customer gets the most out of what they pay for. Skip is very upfront about costs, duration, and expectations. Most of the instructors at Skill Aviation have been part of the team for a very long time, and their backgrounds range from military to corporate flight experience. They take pride in ensuring their students become the best and safest pilots. Skill Aviation also takes maintenance very seriously, and the aircraft are in great condition. I would highly recommend Skill Aviation to anyone looking for an excellent flight school.

I now live in Southern Florida and have visited many flying clubs and flight schools in the Ft. Lauderdale, Palm Beach area and have been checked out with at least 3 places and flown out of 5.
Skill is still light years ahead of any other school I have visited and flown with.
I will continue doing my training at Skill even if I have to come and stay for few weeks in Chicago.
Simply the best!

Full disclosure: I am a former employee of Skill Aviation. I have moved out of the midwest and am no longer associated with the flight school, so I feel I can give an honest opinion of the place. I have been involved with four flight schools in the Chicago area as either a student or instructor, and I am quite familiar with most of the others as well (it’s not a huge industry). I worked for Skill as an instructor for five years. I know Unilocal discourages reviews from former employees, but I feel that both the nature of the business and my situation makes my input useful to those looking for training.
Skill Aviation is, in my opinion, simply the best flight training available in Chicago. It has, hands down, the best management and aircraft around, and while I can’t speak to the ability of every instructor in Chicago, I CAN attest to the dedication of the instructors at Skill. As an employee, I was continuously provided training and guidance in how to better both my teaching skills and my customer service. I felt (and still feel) a great amount of loyalty toward the owner, Skip. He cares deeply about the training that his customers receive at his facility, and he accomplishes this by treating his employees well. They, in turn, want to see the school and its students succeed.
I can’t say this is a completely unbiased customer review, because I really enjoyed my time working there. But what I can say is that if you are looking for flight training in Chicago, I’d strongly encourage you to visit all of the schools you can find, including Skill. Have your eyes wide open, ask lots of questions, and closely observe the culture of each facility. I’m confident that your decision will be quite easy.

I have used Skill Aviation on one occasion to keep my instrument currency in their simulator with an instructor. The sim was a little old but worked just fine. I haven’t had the chance to actually fly with them but am very interested in getting checked out in their Evektor LSA and their TwinStar. I am on their email list and they are partnering with another company to offer helicopter lessons out of their PWK location (I didn’t know they were there until they sent that email). Well, I guess I have to try a Robinson R-​22 as well. They are a little tricky to get to and they are about 45 – 60 drive from my house but I cannot knock them for that.
If you’re looking to do some flight training, be aware (for the better) they are THE ONLY part 141 school in the area. That means they are the only ones who can take VA benefits and other such things. Other schools may have another certification but it is mostly hogwash in the end.
I found their staff helpful and professional the one time I was there. I’m only giving 4 stars as I simply have not had to opportunity to actually fly with them — I’m not only hoping to in the future but to return here write a review for 5 stars. We shall see…

I completed my Private Pilot’s license in about 8 month at Skill. A great place to learn, and an outfit that values professionalism, safety, and customer service. The ultimate endorsement: I have no hesitation in flying my family in their planes.

I live 5 minutes from Chicago Executive Airport. When I started my flight training I began driving up 50 minutes to Waukegan just because that was the home of Skill Aviation. Simply the best school I have used.
Unlike other schools in the area (I have used other schools in the area), the Skill instructors are not pilots passing by on the way to the airlines. ALL of the Instructors at Skill are highly trained professionals who have a passion in flying. These instructors have both mastered aviation, and education, the art of expressing their valuable knowledge to the students.
The school is now located at Waukegan and Chicago Executive. Both facilities are top notch, very modernized and clean.
Airplanes are in top condition, they appear to be cleaned quiet offend and it makes the experience that much better.