Flight schools and flying clubs
2,447 training organisations: flight schools and academies (1,290), universities and colleges with a flight programme (134) and flying clubs (1,023), each with the aircraft it registers, its town and the main public airport there. Read this as a start, not an official list: the FAA publishes no downloadable list of flight schools (its online finder covers only certificated Part 141 schools), so this one is drawn from the FAA aircraft register: companies whose names say "flight school", "academy", "training" or "flying club", and companies whose names don't but which own fleets of training aircraft and say on their own websites that they give flying lessons. A school that rents all its aircraft from someone else is not here yet.
Compare the training organisations in Illinois side by side: their aircraft, how old they are, and the accident record of those aircraft.
| Organisation | Kind | Town | Airport | Aircraft registered | Mostly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis University website | University or college with a flight programme | Romeoville, Illinois | no public airport in town | 38 | Cessna 172S |
| Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University website Southern Illinois University is a public university system with campuses at Carbondale and Edwardsville, Illinois. | University or college with a flight programme | Murphysboro, Illinois | no public airport in town | 35 | Cessna 172R |
| Airgo INC website Airgo is a flight academy based in Centralia, Illinois, that has provided pilot training since 1968. | Flight school | Centralia, Illinois | Centralia Municipal ENL | 23 | Cessna 150M |
| University of Illinois website | University or college with a flight programme | Savoy, Illinois | no public airport in town | 12 | Piper PA-28-181 |
| Crosswinds Flying Club INC website Crosswinds Flying Club is a not-for-profit flying club based at Central Illinois Regional Airport (BMI) in Bloomington, Illinois. | Flying club | Bloomington, Illinois | no public airport in town | 8 | Piper PA-28-181 |
| Ja Flight Services LLC website JA Flight Training is a flight school in Sugar Grove, Illinois that offers pilot training from private pilot through commercial and instructor ratings. | Flight school | Sugar Grove, Illinois | no public airport in town | 8 | Beech 95-B55 (T42A) |
| Silvercreek Glider Club website Silvercreek Glider Club is an educational soaring club located near St. | Flying club | New Douglas, Illinois | no public airport in town | 7 | Petiletky Strojirny Prvni Np L-13 BLANIK |
| St Louis Flight Training LLC | Flight school | Cahokia, Illinois | no public airport in town | 7 | Evektor-Aerotechnik A S HARMONY LSA |
| Summerskyz INC website SummerSkyz is a helicopter flight school and tour operator based in the Chicago area with locations in Lansing and Danville, Illinois. | Flight school | Saint Joseph, Illinois | no public airport in town | 7 | Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA |
| Chicago Glider Club website The Chicago Glider Club is a flying club based in Minooka, Illinois, founded in 1953. | Flying club | Minooka, Illinois | no public airport in town | 6 | Alexander Schleicher ASK 21 |
| Windy City Soaring Association website | Flying club | Hinckley, Illinois | Hinckley Airport 0C2 | 6 | Piper PA-25-235 |
| Jwa Flight School LLC website JWA Flight School is a Part 61 flight training provider located at Clow Airport in Bolingbrook, Illinois. | Flight school | Bolingbrook, Illinois | Bolingbrook'S Clow International 1C5 | 5 | Cessna 152 |
| W Air LLC website WAir Aviation is a Part 61 flight school located at Chicago Executive Airport (KPWK) in Wheeling, Illinois. | Flight school | Wheeling, Illinois | no public airport in town | 5 | Cessna 172S |
| Blue Skies Flying Services INC website Blue Skies Flying Services is a flight school and aircraft rental company located at Lake in the Hills Airport (3CK) in the northern suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. | Flight school | Lake In the Hills, Illinois | no public airport in town | 4 | Piper PA-28-151 |
| Boraam Aviation INC website Boraam Aviation is a flight school in Prospect Heights, Illinois that offers pilot training programs including discovery flights, private pilot certificates, instrument ratings, and commercial pilot certificates. | Flight school | Prospect Heights, Illinois | no public airport in town | 4 | Cessna 152 |
| Illini Glider Club website The Illini Glider Club is a non-profit soaring club located at Vermillion Regional Airport in Danville, Illinois. | Flying club | Danville, Illinois | Vermilion Regional DNV | 4 | Wsk Pzl-Krosno KR-03A |
| Naperville Flying Club website The Naperville Flying Club is an equity-based flying club incorporated in 1958 that operates four IFR-certified single-engine aircraft from Naper Aero Club (LL10), a privately owned airfield in the Chicagoland area. | Flying club | Woodridge, Illinois | no public airport in town | 4 | Beech E33 |
| Poplar Grove Aviation Education Assoc INC website | Flight school | Poplar Grove, Illinois | Poplar Grove Airport C77 | 4 | Aeronca 65-CA |
| Stick & Rudder Club INC website Stick & Rudder Flying Club is a not-for-profit flying club located at Waukegan Airport in Illinois, operating since 1948. | Flying club | Waukegan, Illinois | no public airport in town | 4 | Cessna 172S |
| Travel Express Aviation LLC website Travel Express Aviation is a full-service aviation business based at DuPage Airport in West Chicago, Illinois. | Flight school | West Chicago, Illinois | no public airport in town | 4 | Piper PA-28-181 |
| Wabash Valley Soaring Association INC | Flying club | Lawrenceville, Illinois | Lawrenceville-Vincennes International LWV | 4 | Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau ASTIR CS |
| Avel Aircraft INC website Avel Flight School is an FAA Part 141 approved flight training school based at DuPage Airport in West Chicago, Illinois. | Flight school | West Chicago, Illinois | no public airport in town | 3 | Cessna 172M |
| Business Mens Flying Club INC | Flying club | Naperville, Illinois | no public airport in town | 3 | Cessna 172S |
| Decatur Aero Club INC website | Flying club | Decatur, Illinois | Decatur Airport DEC | 3 | Cessna 172R |
| Fox Flying Club INC website Fox Flying Club is a member-owned non-profit flying club based at DuPage Airport near Chicago. | Flying club | Wheaton, Illinois | no public airport in town | 3 | Cessna 172S |
| Illinois Valley Flying Club website Illinois Valley Flying Club is a not-for-profit flying club based at Illinois Valley Regional Airport (KVYS) in Peru, Illinois. | Flying club | Peru, Illinois | Illinois Valley Rgnl-Walter A Duncan Field VYS | 3 | Cessna 172M |
| Jb Aviation Flight School INC | Flight school | Wonder Lake, Illinois | no public airport in town | 3 | Cessna 172M |
| Lincoln Land Community College website | University or college with a flight programme | Springfield, Illinois | Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport SPI | 3 | Cessna 172 |
| Mt Vernon Airport Authority website Mt Vernon Airport Authority operates Mt. | Flight school | Mount Vernon, Illinois | Mount Vernon Airport MVN | 3 | Cessna 172P |
| Bradley Flying Association website Bradley Flying Association is a not-for-profit flying club established in 1963 in the Peoria, Illinois area. | Flying club | Peoria, Illinois | General Downing - Peoria International PIA | 2 | Cessna 172K |
| Cottonwood Flying Club | Flying club | Rockford, Illinois | Cottonwood Airport 1C8 | 2 | Aeronca 7AC |
| D14 Flight Club INC website D14 Aviation is a flight school based in Illinois offering pilot training from discovery flights through advanced certifications including private pilot, commercial pilot, certified flight instructor, instrument rating, and multi-engine rat | Flying club | Manteno, Illinois | no public airport in town | 2 | Piper PA-28-140 |
| Engin Aires Aero Club website EnginAires Aero Club is an equity-based flying club founded in 1956 and based at University of Illinois Willard Airport (KCMI) in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. | Flying club | Savoy, Illinois | no public airport in town | 2 | Piper PA-28-181 |
| For Skies Flying Club LTD | Flying club | Martinsville, Illinois | no public airport in town | 2 | Cessna 182B |
| International Flying Club INC website International Flying Club is a non-profit flying club based at DuPage Airport in West Chicago, Illinois. | Flying club | Winfield, Illinois | no public airport in town | 2 | Cessna 152 |
| Marshall County Flying Club INC website Marshall County Flying Club is a non-profit flying club founded in 1954 based at Marshall County Airport in Lacon, Illinois. | Flying club | Lacon, Illinois | Marshall County C75 | 2 | Cessna 172K |
| Mooney Flyers LLC | Flight school | Crystal Lake, Illinois | no public airport in town | 2 | Mooney M20J |
| R P M Flying Club INC website RPM Flying Club Inc is a flying club based at Lansing Municipal Airport in South Holland, Illinois. | Flying club | South Holland, Illinois | no public airport in town | 2 | Piper PA-28-140 |
| Schaumburg Flying Club Nfp website | Flying club | Palatine, Illinois | no public airport in town | 2 | Cessna 172S |
| Vagabond Flying Association website The Vagabond Flying Association is a member-owned flying club based at DuPage Airport in West Chicago, Illinois. | Flying club | Winfield, Illinois | no public airport in town | 2 | Cessna 172N |
| Abe Lincoln Flyers INC | Flight school | Lincoln, Illinois | Logan County AAA | 1 | Cessna 172C |
| Aero Place Flyers INC | Flight school | Urbana, Illinois | Frasca Field C16 | 1 | Cessna 172L |
| Alton Glasair Flyers LLC | Flight school | Alton, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Berkley Thomas S GLASAIR SHA |
| Beech Flyers INC website Beech Flyers is a flying club based at Van Nuys Airport in California that provides Beechcraft-specific pilot training and aircraft rental. | Flight school | Champaign, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Raytheon Aircraft Company A36 |
| Blackhawk Flying Club INC website Blackhawk Flying Club is a not-for-profit flying club based at Chicago/Rockford Airport (RFD) in Illinois. | Flying club | Rockford, Illinois | Cottonwood Airport 1C8 | 1 | Cessna 172M |
| Cairo Flying Club INC | Flying club | Cairo, Illinois | Cairo Regional CIR | 1 | Cessna 150M |
| Central Illinois Flyers LLC | Flight school | Peoria, Illinois | General Downing - Peoria International PIA | 1 | Michael S Thun RV-9A |
| Dtc Flying Club LLC website | Flying club | Sycamore, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Cessna 140 |
| Elite Flight Training and Aircraft Management LLC | Flight school | Kankakee, Illinois | Greater Kankakee Airport IKK | 1 | Piper PA-28-161 |
| F and W Flyers INC website | Flight school | Newman, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Cessna 172M |
| Four Seven Jays Flying Club INC | Flying club | Rapids City, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Cessna 172M |
| Freeport Flyers INC | Flight school | Freeport, Illinois | Albertus Airport FEP | 1 | Cessna 172K |
| Frisco Flyers LLC | Flight school | Macedonia, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Maule M-5-235C |
| G A W Flying Club CORP website LGE Flying Club is a not-for-profit flying club based in Palos Heights, Illinois, where members share ownership of aircraft. | Flying club | Palos Heights, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Cessna 172N |
| Gilberts Flying Club INC website | Flying club | Hampshire, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Aeronca 7AC |
| Great Lakes Flyers INC website | Flight school | Romeoville, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Piper PA-28-151 |
| Happy Bottom Flying Club website | Flying club | Griggsville, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Cessna 177B |
| Havana Flyers Assoc website | Flight school | Petersburg, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Cessna 172M |
| Hbk Flyers LLC | Flight school | Alton, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Piper PA-28-181 |
| Illinois Ercoupe Flyers LLC website | Flight school | Belleville, Illinois | Scott Afb/Midamerica St. Louis Airport BLV | 1 | Ercoupe 415-C |
| Instrument Trainer Flying Club INC website D14 Aviation is a flight school offering pilot training programs including private pilot, commercial pilot, certified flight instructor, instrument rating, and multi-engine rating certifications. | Flying club | Champaign, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Piper PA-28-180 |
| J3 Flying Club INC | Flying club | Bartlett, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Piper J3C-65 |
| Kab Flyers LLC | Flight school | Greenville, Illinois | Greenville Airport GRE | 1 | Mooney Aircraft Corp. M20K |
| Land of Lincoln Flying Club INC | Flying club | Mattoon, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Piper PA-28-180 |
| Macoupin Flyers INC | Flight school | Hettick, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Cessna 172M |
| Monmouth Flying Club website | Flying club | Monmouth, Illinois | Monmouth Municipal C66 | 1 | Cessna 172M |
| Monroe Flying Club INC | Flying club | Glen Carbon, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Mooney M20C |
| Neo Flites Flying Club INC website Neo-Flites Flying Club is a recreational flying club based at DuPage Airport in West Chicago, serving members from the western suburbs of Chicago. | Flying club | Elmhurst, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Cessna 172M |
| North Shore Flying Club | Flying club | Libertyville, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Beech 58 |
| Paxton Flyers | Flight school | Loda, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Piper PA-28-161 |
| Piasa Flyers INC website Piasa Flyers is a nonprofit flying club established in March 2023 at St. | Flight school | East Alton, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Cessna 150L |
| Pisas Flyers INC website Piasa Flyers is a nonprofit flying club established in March 2023 at St. | Flight school | East Alton, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Piper PA-28-180 |
| Quincy Flying Club INC website | Flying club | Quincy, Illinois | Quincy Rgnl-Baldwin Field UIN | 1 | Cessna 172M |
| Redhawk Flyers | Flight school | Palos Park, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Piper PA-28-161 |
| Rock River Flyers website Rock River Flyers, Inc. | Flight school | Mount Morris, Illinois | Ogle County C55 | 1 | Aeronca 7AC |
| Rushville Flying Club INC | Flying club | Rushville, Illinois | Schuy-Rush Airport 5K4 | 1 | Cessna 172M |
| Sojourn Flyers INC | Flight school | Chebanse, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Piper PA-28-180 |
| Spoon River Flyers INC | Flight school | Avon, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Piper PA-28-180 |
| Starved Rock Flying Club INC | Flying club | Peru, Illinois | Illinois Valley Rgnl-Walter A Duncan Field VYS | 1 | Donald R Sabowski QUICKSILVER SPORT 2S |
| Straight Tail Flyers LLC | Flight school | Peoria, Illinois | General Downing - Peoria International PIA | 1 | Cessna 172 |
| Systematic Management and Flight Training LLC | Flight school | Kankakee, Illinois | Greater Kankakee Airport IKK | 1 | Piper PA-28-181 |
| Tab Flyers LLC | Flight school | Champaign, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Beech E33A |
| Tiger 2 Flying Club LLC website Tiger Flying Club is a flying club based at Martin State Airport in Baltimore, Maryland. | Flying club | Geneseo, Illinois | Gen-Airpark 3G8 | 1 | American General Acft Corp AG5B |
| Vermillion County Flying Club website | Flying club | Danville, Illinois | Vermilion Regional DNV | 1 | Cessna 172F |
| Waukegan Flyers LLC | Flight school | Waukegan, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Cessna 310R |
| White County Flying Club INC website Flying Country Club of the Quad Cities is a flying club incorporated in 1961 that provides flight training and aircraft rental to members. | Flying club | Fairfield, Illinois | Fairfield Municipal FWC | 1 | Piper PA-28-181 |
| Wonder Lake Flying Club INC | Flying club | Wonder Lake, Illinois | no public airport in town | 1 | Cessna 182Q |
Source: the FAA Civil Aviation Registry, October 21, 2026: company owners whose names say flight school, academy, flight training, flying club, or a university or college with three or more aircraft; and schools whose names don't say so, checked by hand or found by their fleets of training aircraft and confirmed by their own websites. The airport is the main public landing place in the town the company registers its aircraft from, which is usually, not always, where it works. A name links to the company's aircraft. Is your company here, or missing? Claim, correct or add a listing: the base, the website, what you do, and your own pictures; "confirmed" marks a listing the company itself has checked.
