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!

I'm a pilot that got out of flying for a while and wanted to get back in. A friend of mine…read morerecommended Illinois Aviation. First impressions were fantastic. There is a lot of energy in the building. They have lots of people around, lots of flight instructors and lots of planes. From the front desk people to the instructors, all are super helpful and nice. This isn't your grandpa's flight school. I'm older but the place is filled with a big mix of people. Young, old, guys, gals. Everybody seems like they're trying to learn to fly. Which is a good thing today as it's all about experiences! The owner Bob is around often and more than willing to chat with you if you have questions. One Sunday I walked in a got a big hello from an instructor, not my instructor, but just a guy behind the desk. My lessons with Ben have gone very well. He is a great guy! Flying is the coolest thing you can do. They'll give you an introduction flight if you want to try it out. Call today and set up a time to have them take you up for an intro flight, you will be hooked.

I have been a member of TEA for a while. They do flight training but also it's a place to rent…read moreplanes for your 100$ hamburger. I just got some recurrent training from Mike, great guy and even better instructor. Also if you need to rent a plane once you're checked out, TEA does that! Some flight schools do not rent or are not as easy to work with getting a plane to rent once you get your license. The "schools" use their planes for training and are not able to let them go for a few days for a trip. TEA has rentals in their DNA. The owners Lori and Ken are easy to work with, friendly and down-to-earth people. I've checked other rental policies around DuPage airport. TEA is the most reasonable. I absolutely love this place! You should give them a call or stop in.

(First of all, contrary to the Yelp location, the address is 3N060 Powis Road…read moreWEST CHICAGO, IL ) ... I started having these dreams of flying. Sooner or later though, you always have to wake up... Or do you? I began investigating flight schools near and far. Then, I focused around Aurora airport and Du Page airport considering flight clubs I wanted to be part of that were convenient for renting planes. These airports are 15 - 20 minutes from my home. There are a couple flight schools at KDPA, but they do not have a flight club, and I wanted to be part of the organization from training to club member. I called Travel Express Aviation at Du Page and happened to get the owner Ken Phlamm, and he offered to stay late to meet me after work to give me the tour. I parked off Powis road on the East side of Du Page airport and entered the door into the hanger, which sort of seemed to be the "back" door, as the lobby faces the airport. Unlike other schools I visited, TEA has quite a range of planes from trainers, to Cirrus, a large Pilatus plane, a jet and a T34 trainer and others in this hanger. I found my way to the lobby and Ken gave me a great tour and explanation of the program. It is pay as you go (billing is monthly) on the set rates for instructor and planes at wet rate. They provide a complete set of Jeppesen books to buy, which is better than trying to find all the info on-line. The over all cost will be around $10K, but depends on how fast you learn. I found they do not waste too much time/money on over extended ground time, and it is best if you can read on your own and save money. The lobby is clean, modern looking, not old 70s throw away leather furniture like other flight schools. Coffee is always brewing (or available) and the bathrooms are clean. The training fleet is not the newest I've seen, but definitely not the oldest. The training planes are just what you need to learn and they are very well maintained. I was happy to see the planes did not have duck-tape repairs I have seen at other "economical" schools and they are having all the interiors re-furbished and these planes are looking very nice! They have club flights for the "$100 hamburger " at exotic places like Madison, WI. I will be taking a cross county flight soon to Oshkosh , WI with another student to log cross country hours and visit the air museum there. Overall, the planes are well maintained. There are planes of various technologies in which to learn to continue your training after your initial Private Pilot Certification: trainer, high performance, Multi-engine, high altitude. The staff is great, friendly and helpful. Travel Express seems to be the best bang for the buck.

International Flying Club is a volunteer group of pilots and student pilots whose goal is to…read moreprovide an inexpensive way to fly. The club has been around since 1975. There are three planes, two very suitable for primary (beginner) training (Piper Warrior and Cessna 152) and several patient, skilled and friendly instructors. There is also a single engine complex (Piper Arrow). The hourly rates are "wet" which includes fuel. You can get your Private Pilot for around $5k here... not bad! Check out the website and give a call or shoot an email.

From the owner: We are a non-profit membership flying club for aviation enthusiasts. Please contact us for an…read moreappointment to see our aircraft or take an introductory flight.

The team goes out of their way to make you feel at home and accommodate additional requests. Also…read moreappreciate their willingness to go above and beyond to keep the plane warm and in the hangar while I was finishing up a business call. Thanks!

From the owner: Airboss Provides an array of aviation services including Aircraft Acquisition, Aircraft Management,…read morePrivate Jet Charter Services, and Personalized Training.

NFB Aviation provided a lot of great information on how to locate a flight program. They have a lot…read moreof great info on the website and study sheets. I will be working with them more closely.

From the owner: NFB Aviation is your all rounded solution answering all your aviation needs. Diverse range of…read moreservices starting with professional pilot instruction all the way to FAA Certified Drone photography / videography. Not only are our pilots Part 107 Certified, but they are also real-world pilots working in multiple aviation industries. We live and breathe aviation which is why we are dedicated to our craft. We have over a thousand hours operating airplanes, helicopters and simulators; flying drones is another passion that we do not take lightly.

I reached out to Tara, The Written Word, Co-founder, based in Wheaton, IL. by phone regarding my…read more6-yr-old son. Allow me to share a little nugget of information: I'm a business owner 15-years, newspaper and and media industry, and member of several executive boards. I share this to emphasize two points: I make it a practice to be balanced and objective. When doing business, I pick up the phone and call prospects as a courtesy not only out of appreciation their time and consideration, but to better understand the clients/partners needs. Now with that said, let's get down to the good part. The following are the communications between Tara and myself (sent from her iPhone) : TARA: "Hello Nicole, Thank you for contacting me. Are you interested in receiving help for your son?" ME: Hi Tara. Yes, I am seeking assistance for my son, Joseph, 6.5 yrs in the 1st grade, Joseph recently transferred from a private outdoor school, (located) in Wheaton.... The transition (to his new school) has been challenging. Joseph is extremely intelligent, altho he's a left brain thinker. His brain filters and processes information from left to right. He performs exceedingly well in math, in some aspects, but struggles with math concepts presented in traditional school. He's an unbelievable narrative and conceptual thinker. Although he struggles, which is an understatement, with numbers transposition, letter transposition, phonics and short-term memory. His long term memory goes back to the womb. What's the best time to talk or meet? -- Still no phone call -- TARA: Hello Nicole, I'm sorry to hear your son has had a rough transition. It sounds like he has a lot of strengths. Unfortunately, I am not accepting new students. I am full before and after school. ME: I'm not seeking before or after school assistance. I'm seeking during school (hours). Joseph will be homeschooled next year. -- Still no phone call -- TARA: Nicole, Are you available to meet during the day? If so, what day and time would work for you? I'll stop the email banter right about here, for now. I set an appointment with Tara. I rescheduled our initial appointment more than 72 hours in advanced due to a work conflict. Prior to our appointment, I suggested we facilitate the meeting over Facetime or Skype. I mean why drive 30 minutes to meet someone who cannot pick up the phone and call a prospective client. In reply to this request, sent from her IPHONE, she stated: TARA On Monday, December 3, 2018, 11:12:14 AM CST, Tara Chapman tara.chapman@thewrittenwordtww.com wrote: Hello Nicole, "We can talk over the phone. Neither one of those options (Facetime or Skype) work for me. Thanks, Tara Sent from my iPhone" ME: "BTW Facetime is standard with iPhone, but if you prefer to talk minus video that's fine, too." Now seeing that Tara's preference of communication is email, and a bit impersonal for me given the subject is a child, I was bewildered that she didn't jump on the Facetime/Skype-wagon. I said to myself, "young kids today just don't understand the value of interpersonal communication and its importance in business". However, when I looked up Tara's picture online before writing this review I see that she's old enough to know. In Tara's last communication, which I received less than 24 hours before our "meeting" TARA: "Hello Nicole, I heard back this evening from a family I met with last week. They decided to hire me, so I will be enrolling this new student. Unfortunately, I will not have any additional availability during the day next year. Best of luck to you as you interview other tutors. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to reach out to me." Perhaps Tara knew innately she would be out performed by other tutor candidates who show more sincerity and professionalism. She certainly did not discern from the credentials in my email that newspaper folks write and interview with our noses - or least she doesn't care.

Tara Chapman's teaching credentials, years of teaching experience and dedication to her students,…read moremake her an amazing teacher. Tara co-founded The Written Word Center for Dyslexia and Learning in Wheaton Illinois. Like Tara, the Center is warm and welcoming for all of the students she teaches, and offers an entire room full of resources for parents to learn more about dyslexia. I know Tara both personally and professionally and I am inspired by her daily commitment to helping children reach their highest potential. Speaking as a parent of a child with dyslexia and as a teacher, I feel very grateful to know Tara and to have The Written Word Center for Dyslexia and Learning in our community.