They closed suddenly within the last year or so. I had paid for a discovery flight which they…read morerescheduled several times due to bad weather, and when I called back to reschedule once again, no one answered. I learned Dean Ellis shut down operations abruptly and I can't get a refund.Apparently Dean also owes his former employees money but he disappeared. I tried contacting multiple people to get a refund but they were unable to help. What a shitty thing to do.

I was interested in Sim lessons. I've been flying for 20 yrs. and wanted to transition to glass…read more I wrote them an e-mail on Sunday to which they responded, answering my initial questions. I called on Mon. to schedule a lesson and was told Liz would call me back. I didn't hear from Liz so I wrote an e-mail on Thurs to which they did not respond. On Friday, I tried again - - no response. I'm disappointed in the poor customer experience but incredulous at the poor business sense. I'll take my business elsewhere. You blew it.

Is this business closed? I called and left TWO more messages this past week and still have not…read moregotten a call back.

Flying a hellichopper for the first time is like trying to balance a full martini while riding a…read moreunicycle! Which, is not nearly as easy as it sounds. That said, local flying legend Chris Bachman is the Man and makes you feel comfortable and confident piloting his helicopter. More details to come soon but life is too short to not take a few lessons up at Bachman Aero. I recommend a 30 minute lesson to get your wings wet, then buying a package of 30 and 60 minute flights....

If you have a 6am flight, you need to be sure that ride to the airport is outside your door when…read moreyou need them to be. Its not like there are always a million cabs running around at 4:30am on a Tuesday. I travel for work weekly, and have been burned in the past by both flash and yellow cab. These guys are always there when they promise to be and have never let me down. They run a professional operation, have nice sedans, and don't bitch when you pull out that Visa. Its a bit on the pricey side (49 dollars from Lakeview to O'hare plus tip), but the higher price is well worth knowing the fact that your ride to the airport will be there.

I kind of feel like a VIP when I call them. I've used this company a couple of times. These guys…read moreare prompt and professional. You can get sleek and personalized service for not a lot of money. My first time using this service was for a business trip this summer that was taking me out of town for about 5 weeks. I had a few bags, so instead of stumbling my way to the train station and through O'hare airport, I originally looked online for a basic yellow cab service that I could call and reserve a pickup to get me to the airport. Online estimates were close to $40 from my home. Browsing through a general list of companies, I ran across Chicago Chauffeurs Limousine, with an advertised special of $49 to the airport from a variety of Chicagoland areas. Clicked on the website, called the number listed, and a representative told me that a black Cadillac sedan would be @ my home when I requested. The sedan was actually 15 mins early in picking me up. The driver was very clean cut and professionally dressed. He took my bags and carefully placed them in the huge trunk. He opened and closed the back door for me once I got in. The cars ride very smooth and the driver (Sam) was super friendly. I called the company the night before I returned to Chicago, and they told me to call them once I arrive at the airport, and they'd be there within 10 mins to pick me up. Once again, they did not disappoint; I called them while retrieving my luggage, the rep told me what exit to meet my driver at, and gave me the license plates of the sedan that would be picking me up. I walked out the designated exit and within 5 mins, the car pulled up. It was great. It's been $49 each time I've used the company. I don't know if that's actually a promotional price or just the regular price. But I think it's worth it. The only thing is that if you use a credit card, the driver doesn't have a machine to swipe it through; he has to make a carbon copy of your CC number. It's just a little old school to me. Besides that, the company is ideal for home to airport service.

I have had luck with this shop for over 20 years. Honest recommendations and quick serviceread more

I have used them for years. They are very honest people. I have never had to ask them to repair the…read moresame issue twice. Their service is prompt and reasonable. 1994 Crownline 266

We've used Best American for several years. Each time, the driver is on time (even a bit…read moreearly-which is perfect for us), very courteous, and helpful. The goal is reliable, safe, and friendly transportation from point A to point B...and this company is on it! Thank you, Best American!! Lisa P.

Jim was recommended to me by my neighbor who travels a lot. He said he had a great reliable driver…read morewith reasonable rates. I couldn't agree more! I've used them exclusively for the last 5 airports runs and while some of their fleet is a little older, they also have some newer vehicle as well. I've been in the older cadillac stretch as well as the newer 12 person bus. There most important thing is getting to where were going and Jim, Larry, and the other drivers have been reliable every time. The one thing that sets them apart from all other limo services I've used is their communication, care, and the little things like stopping off to get coffees for us before picking us up. No back alley Eastern Bloc guys with thick accents, just friendly local drivers with great personalities and constantly monitoring your flight times for adjustments and texting you the night before for confirmation and driver details. We just used them for a group trip to ohare and Larry was as friendly and helpful as Jim. The whole group took note of their "car-side" manner and have asked for their information for future travels. I will continue to use these guys going forward. Thanks again!

Easy, very friendly service. Was on time for pick up to go to O'Hare and was Quick when we…read morereturned. My friend waited 20 min for his Uber while we waited 5 for our Van to pick us up. Also, they also communicate well during off hours.

Best service out there for the money. Rate is competitive no hidden fees (shop around you will see…read morefor yourself). Driver was on time round trip and dressed professionally (Johnny). Car was clean and inside and out. Driver was friendly and you can see enjoys driving. Dispatch was also was also professional and nice when booking. Guy who answers phone in the evening was super friendly and went out of his way to make sure I the customer was satisfied. Definitely would give this company a shot.

I was looking for that perfect birthday gift for a friend. You know the one, where everyone…read morewonders, "Why didn't I think of that?". So after considering all the options for this special guy (everything from sports memorabilia to electronics) I finally decided on a gift that would put his head in the clouds. That's right! Airplane rental! Now, of course, it helped that he is a licensed pilot so that part was taken care of. But I had to find an airport and someplace that would rent him a plane- and the kind of plane that he knows how to fly. Enter Illinois Aviation Academy. They are located out at the Du Page airport and rent about 6 different types of airplanes, from Arrow to Cesna, Piper to Diamond. Since an Arrow was what I was looking for, my search was over. And the even better news is that they have licensed instructors that will do the pre-flight approval. Prices are in line with other places with the Arrow going for $165 an hour (wet) with the pre flight coming in at around $65. It was also nice to see it was a new plane (2004). This is a well run place with the school located at one end of the hanger, and for the more experienced pilots, the lounge and preflight room are like being in a nice club somewhere. And the lucky part? My friend wanted to take me with him when he went flying and so we were off for a picnic lunch in another state soaring over the lakes and trees. And all I could do was marvel that you can rent a plane almost as simply as you can rent a car. Talk about a perfect day! Not for everyone- but if you are looking to rent a plane- give Illinois Aviation Academy a call. And your head can be in the clouds too!

My son received his Private Pilot License from Illinois Aviation Academy in only 2 months in 2019…read more The school worked so hard to make sure he accomplished this goal while providing awesome support, knowledge and care. About 2 years after achieving his private pilot license my son was training at a Part 141 flight school in Long Island, New York and unfortunately we found out they were not training him properly for his instrument rating. This was very stressful because my son only had to complete his end of course to finish with this school. We had to make a decision to leave the New York school because they were not getting the job done. After some praying and thinking we decided to go back where my son started so we called the owner Robert at Illinois Aviation and explained the New York situation and asked if they could help my son complete his instrument rating end of course. They immediately came up with a plan to get my son completed in two weeks under Part 141. I knew this was going to be a little challenge because my son could only transfer a certain amount of his credits to Illinois Aviation, however the owner, the chief pilot and instructors were ready to get the job done. They started training my son from the moment he arrived off his plane from New York in June 2021. They had an awesome plan that worked so well my son was able to get his Instrument Rating in 9 days!! My son came back home with so much more confidence in himself because of their training and support and I can't thank them enough!! What is priceless to me besides the training is the support, the people and the care they provide because good support is definitely needed during training. Thank you Illinois Aviation for all that you do! I only wish you could duplicate your school around the country. If you are considering a flight school even if you are not living in Illinois it is so worth having your training completed there. Wish you all the best with your training!!

I highly recommend Mann's Platinum travel agency to everyone. I have been using them since 2018,…read moreand I have no plan to go to any other travel agency. They are so easy to work with, I just tell them what we want (etc. where we want to go, the dates, overall accommodations). They will give us a time the quotes will be ready, and they are true to their word (which is very important to me) because they touch base when they say they will. I'm not just writing this to brag on them (WELL YES I AM), but this is my honest review. The Mann's even travel with us from time to time. The bottom line is that they take care of their clients very well. We are a family, at least that's what I would like to think because we are treated so well. Thank you, Mann's Platinum Travel Agency. Keep up the good work. I have attached a few photos of different trips we booked through this agency.