PWK Bedtime Stories: Navigating Airspace, Approaches, and ATC – Aaron Barclay, CFI/CFII/ATC C90 – June CEPA Safety Meeting

Master PWK airspace, practice approaches, and ATC comms through real local stories.

Whether you’re dodging the O’Hare “shelf” or trying to squeeze in one last practice approach before the sun goes down, flying out of Chicago Executive can feel like a high-stakes thriller. Join us as we crack open the “Big Book of PWK Bedtime Stories” to learn how to keep your flight from becoming a cautionary tale. We’ll dive into the nuances of our local airspace, the “to call or not to call” dilemma, and the secret language of asking for favors in a busy corridor. From the best way to file your flight plan to those legendary “did he really just say that?” moments, we’re covering it all. Come for the survival tips on who to call and when, and stay for the open forum where no question is too basic and no “there I was” story is too strange. Let’s ensure your next trip off Runway 16/34 ends with a smooth landing, not a phone number.

Speaker: Aaron Barclay, ATC Specialist, CFI/CFII

A Chicago native and 2007 Embry-Riddle graduate, Aaron has been a C90 Approach Controller in the radar room since 2008 and a CFI/I since 2012. When he isn’t managing the arrivals, he is actively instructing and flying with the Naperville Flying Club (LL10).

A true hands-on hobbyist, Aaron loves motorcycles, working on cars, and figuring out how things work. He is married to his 5th-grade sweetheart, and together they are raising four wild boys (like himself) between the ages of 9 and 15. Whether he’s on the scope, in the cockpit, or in the garage, he is always looking for the next challenge.

FAA WINGS Program register link coming soon.