I completed my private pilot flight training during the summer of 2025 at CEFS, and it was over all a good experience. Flight school can be overwhelming, especially when juggling it with other responsibilities, but nothing eases the stress and puts your mind in the right place like walking into a room full of great instructors that are always willing to help. My instructor, Raphael, was always punctual (and very apologetic when he was not able to be due some other factor), and knew his stuff really really well. His dedication towards getting me prepared for success in the checkride was paramount, guiding me through everything even if it took all night. He even gave me extended advice for my continued journey in aviation as I work on instrument and subsequent certs. The only significant critique I would make to the school is to provide more structure for learning and maybe some tests to promote getting written done early. I had a quiz early on and the 10-hour checkride but after that it felt kind of like a free-for-all which led to a lot of confusion and brain fog for me. Other than that, if you put in the work and listen, you will learn and succeed here. read more

Jakob is the BEST INSTRUCTOR EVER!!!!!!!! He is incredibly kind, reliable, patient, and dedicated. He always creates a calm and supportive environment that has made a huge difference in building my confidence as a pilot. His consistency, professionalism, and passion for aviation makes him someone you can trust and genuinely look forward to flying with. Jakob is always willing to go over lessons (both in the plane and on the ground), no matter how many times it takes. He constantly goes the extra mile by creating resources, diagrams, and customized study plans for his students, which has helped me stay organized and on track with training. During my first solo, Jakob made the day feel so special. You can tell how much joy he takes in seeing his students succeed during milestone moments like that. I can't recommend Jakob highly enough. I also want to give a shout out to the amazing team at Chicago Executive Flight School. Every instructor is kind, approachable, and always ready to help. Scott is a fantastic operations VP who genuinely enjoys keeping up with student progress, and Dave is an outstanding safety officer, flying with him is always a joy. read more

Training for my Private Pilot Certificate at Chicago Executive Flight School was an incredible experience. The school provided a professional and supportive environment that made learning both enjoyable and rewarding. A huge part of my success came from my instructor, Ryan Horvath. He's an outstanding CFI extremely knowledgeable, patient, and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure you truly understand every topic. Whether it was aerodynamics, weather, or airspace procedures, Ryan made even the most complex material easy to grasp. His ability to balance professionalism with genuine encouragement kept me motivated through every stage of my training. Thanks to Ryan's guidance, I not only earned my Private Pilot Certificate with confidence, but I've also been able to transition smoothly into a Part 141 program for my Instrument and Commercial ratings. The strong foundation he helped me build has made that next step much easier. If you're looking for a flight school that truly cares about its students and instructors who want to see you succeed, I can't recommend Chicago Executive Flight School and especially Ryan Horvath enough. read more

Hands down the best flight school in the Chicago area -- and that's 100% thanks to my instructor, Ryan Horvath. From day one, Ryan has been the perfect mix of professional, patient, and genuinely fun to fly with. He brings an incredible depth of knowledge -- both about flying and how to teach it -- and somehow makes even complex topics click right away. Whether we're talking airspace rules, short-field landings, or emergency procedures, Ryan explains it in a way that's clear, calm, and confidence-building. You can tell he's not just a great pilot -- he's a true educator who takes pride in seeing his students succeed. Every lesson feels structured and purposeful, but he also keeps it enjoyable and light-hearted. I've learned more with Ryan than I ever expected when I first started my flight training. If you're serious about becoming a pilot (and want to actually enjoy the process), ask for Ryan Horvath. He's as good as it gets -- professional, knowledgeable, and an absolute legend in the right seat. Chicago Executive Flight School runs a top-notch program, but Ryan is what makes it exceptional. read more

This flight school is truly one of a kind. Not only did it prepare me for a Part 141 flight school in Boca Raton, FL, but it gave me a completely new outlook on aviation. From the upbeat, welcoming people, to the deep pool of aviation knowledge, CEFS has you covered. I'd like to personally thank who I believe to be the coolest person on earth, Ryan. He's one of the most humble, professional, and respectful people I've had the pleasure of flying with. Every time I made a mistake, he would both correct me in the moment, and in advance. I could go on, but you get the idea. This is what I call a true, and well thought out flight school. Honorable mention to Jakob Kjeldbjerg, always answered questions when Ryan wasn't there for me, he cared for me as if I were his student. Of course, none of this would be possible without Jim Kwasek, whose leadership and vision make CEFS what it is today. Thank you to most of the amazing flight instructors I've had the honor to meet at this school. Thank you Ryan. read more

Just wanted to give a huge shoutout to my guy, CFI Raphael Schroepfer He's incredibly calm, patient, and always eager to help out, no matter how many questions you throw at him. Whether it's giving that added explanation or breaking something down even further, he's always got your back. I've flown with a few other instructors at CEFS too -- and I genuinely enjoy flying with them as well! Credit to Raphael for always looking out for ways to make sure I can keep flying, even when he's busy with other students. That said, I've spent most of my flying hours with him, and I'm really happy to have him as my assigned primary instructor. We've built a solid understanding, and that makes every flight smoother and more fun. Also, hats off to the Chicago Executive Flight School for maintaining the planes well, and also creating such a supportive and fun vibe. Whether you're up in the air or just hanging out with the CFIs and other students, it's a place you actually look forward to being at. read more

After over a year of working on my PPL, I am finally ready to take my checkride. Tom McNeill is definitely the best instructor I could've asked for. He's been there every step of the way through my training (even though I came in with no prior airplane knowledge). He is always patient, encouraging, and really cared about my success. No matter how many questions I had or how frustrated I got, Tom always knew how to break things down and teach in multiple different ways for the best understanding. After each lesson he'd always say good job today and make sure I went home with confidence. You can tell he genuinely cares about his student's success and takes pride in helping them become safe, confident pilots. There were times where he would set up study groups between his students to allow collaboration and the chance to form study groups. If you want to start an aviation journey, definitely come to Chicago Executive Flight School and fly with Tom McNiell! read more

CFI: Ryan Horvath As a working parent over 50, I never expected flight training to become more than a hobby -- but my experience with Ryan Horvath and Chicago Executive Flight School has truly transformed it into a lifelong passion. Ryan's patience and passion for aviation are unmatched. He's not just focused on checkrides or hours -- he's dedicated to building safe, confident pilots. He's the only instructor who ever made me love ground school -- something I never thought possible. Every lesson is structured to ensure understanding, safety, and steady growth -- never rushed, never just "for the hours." This flight school is not about the money -- it's about quality instruction and mentorship. If your only goal is to check the PPL box, sure, other schools may do. But if you want to become a safe, well-trained pilot for life, this is the place to be. I can't recommend Ryan or CEFS highly enough. They've changed the way I fly -- and why I fly. read more

My name is Jolie, and I just got my Private Pilot's License on September 28. My instructor's name is Adrian Rogers, and he is the best!! While looking for an instructor I wanted someone that would make the learning process fun, and someone that I can connect and have fun with. Adrian is the perfect mix of instructor and friend! I recommend him and the flight school to everyone I talk to! In addition to Adrian, all of the instructions are there to help you out, it truly is a very nice learning environment, though it can be strict and frustrating sometimes, it truly just prepares you further, especially if you want to go into aviation for a career. Thank you Adrian and everyone that help me get to where I am today! read more

Zach Nystrom is an outstanding flight instructor! I'm working toward my private pilot license, and with my constantly changing work schedule, he's been incredibly patient and flexible. He's mature beyond his years, very easy to talk to, and always willing to explain things clearly--even multiple times when needed. Zach is highly knowledgeable and truly focuses on building the skills needed to become a safe, confident pilot. He also brings in other instructors to give students different perspectives, which is a huge plus and helps you learn to work with different styles and personalities--just like in the real world of flying. Highly recommend Zach to anyone starting their aviation journey! read more

CEFS is the place to learn how fly! I would recommend it to anyone wanting to learn. It's been on year since I earned my Private Pilots License and it is an excellent feeling. I need to thank Jim and his crew Dave and Colin for the excellent instruction and making it safe and fun. There where days I when I wanted to quit but they kept pushing me along and if I didn't do things correctly we did them till I could. Safety is important! I recently rented an aircraft from a different airport out of state, let's just say if you learn at KPWK you can fly anywhere! Thank guys Brad read more

I'm currently Training at Executive Flight School and it has been an incredible experience. My instructor, Rayan, is very knowledgeable, professional, and patient. He always takes the time to make sure I fully understand every subject of the training, from ground to maneuvers. What really stands out is how Rayan goes above and beyond for his students. if I have any questions I can reach out to him at any time or day. He even took me and my friend on a few small flights around the city, which turned into unforgettable experiences for us. read more

Training and getting my pilots license has been at CEFS, and I wouldn't have it any other way thanks to Thomas McNeill. Thomas isn't just a flight instructor to me, he's a mentor, a motivator, and one of the most patient, knowledgeable, and encouraging people I've ever met. His passion for aviation is contagious, and you can tell he loves flying with his students. Whether we were reviewing systems on the ground or making calls to Rockford Approach, Tom had a way of making everthing clear, calm, and educational. read more

I'm currently a student here, and my experience has been nothing short of excellent. Over the past few months, I've learned so much and grown tremendously as a pilot. As I approach my checkride, I feel fully prepared and confident thanks to the high-quality instruction I've received. Adrian has been an outstanding instructor because he is patient, knowledgeable, and dedicated to helping me become a safe and skilled pilot. I highly recommend training here and working with Adrian if you have the opportunity. read more

Flying with Caley at Chicago Executive Flight School has been awesome. She's super knowledgeable and easy to learn from, but what really stands out is the positive vibe she brings to every lesson. Even when I make mistakes or feel a bit unsure, she stays patient and encouraging, which makes a huge difference. The atmosphere she creates is really relaxed and fun, but still focused--honestly makes learning to fly feel way less intimidating. I recommend flying with Caley to achieve your own dreams of flight! read more

Great school, great staff. Cost effective. I've been training at Chicago executive flight school for a few months now and I've really had a great experience compared to their competitors. My flight instructor, Rafael, has been doing an amazing job keeping me consistent and always learning, even with my horrible work schedule. He's a real aviator with a passion and the knowledge to back it up. I can see myself growing and becoming a talented pilot with Rafael. Thank you Chicago executive flight school! read more

Did discovery flight with Jim, amazing time there. Like the name of the flight, it is immersive, as you are the one controlling during the flight, of course Jim is there to guide you. After the discovery flight, decided to pursue my training. My flight instructor is Raphael. Amazing person to learn to fly from! Knowledgeable and patience! The flight school has a thorough process, making sure that you will pass your writing and check rides. Excited to continue and earn my PPL. read more

This is a very well organized flight school. Rafael is easily the greatest flight instructor at this school. His handsome face combined with his unique charm make him a delightful person to talk with. He also provides clear instruction in the air and on the ground. His expansive knowledge and acquired insight enhance the learning experience for all of his students. Rafael has taught me so much already and continues to impart his wisdom and knowledge to me every lesson. read more

Chicago Executive Flight School has been a great place to learn. My instructor, Thomas McNeill, is knowledgeable, patient, and supportive. He makes even the most complex lessons feel manageable. The school puts a strong focus on safety, which gave me confidence as I progressed. I know they will never send me up for a check ride until both my instructor and I feel that I'm ready. Plus, the entire staff is warm, welcoming, and always ready to help. read more