Chicago Executive Pilots Association

Double Header: Chicago's Role in Airline and Updates to the FAA You Should Know - Safety Meeting - June 2024
2024-06-26 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Harper College, 1375 S Wolf Road, Prospect Heights, IL, 60070, United States
Chicago’s Role in the Structure of the Airline Industry
Speaker: Mike Haupt
Today, Chicago is best known for being a hub through which countless passengers endure excruciating plane changes as well as O’Hare’s ability to completely disrupt nationwide air service. This program uncovers the critical role Chicago played in forming the airline industry not just for the United States but worldwide. Discover how rudimentary air mail carriers developed and morphed into the airlines we know today. See how Chicago became the center of the air mail system both for connecting routes and for technologies crucial to safe, long-distance, regular flights across our vast nation. Learn the role Chicago played in creating the safety-first regulatory environment that provided the general public with confidence in flying. Witness Chicago’s pivotal role in airline labor relations which has remained a significant factor in airline operations into the present. See how Chicago’s influence expanded beyond national borders to establish standards worldwide.
Michael Haupt, has spent decades exploring the extent of aviation activity in and around Chicago, especially in the early part of the 20th Century. His book, Aviation Chicago Timeline, is a product of his insatiable curiosity and research coupled with a fastidious attention to detail. The result is a well-written, fascinating history revealing many events which have been otherwise forgotten. Many regard it as the definitive history of aviation activities in Chicago and the surrounding region. Mike is a CEPA Member and well-respected presenter throughout the area.
FAA Changes That You Should Know
The enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 and updates and new Airman Certification Standards (ACS) have taken place and that affects us as pilots. We’ll cover the highlights of what these changes may mean to you.
Register for WINGS credit here.

Juliet, Juliet, Where Art Thou ATC? Michael Baraz Squawks 7600 - CEPA Safety Seminar at PWK
2024-05-22 19:00 | Harper College, 1375 S Wolf Road, Prospect Heights, IL, 60070, United States
It was supposed to be an easy training flight… until it wasn’t!
Most of our training treats emergencies as an all-or-nothing event. That isn’t how they typically unfold. It is usually something small you notice. Then something else happens… and there may not be any obvious reason to connect the two. Then a third… now things are getting “interesting.”
Trying to check in with Chicago Approach, we had Juliet but got nothing back :O
As things start to fall apart, what do you do and when?

Speaker Bio
Michael Baraz is ATP-rated and holds CFI and CFII certificates. He is an FAASafety Team Lead Representative helping people stay current and proficient by encouraging continuous training with WINGS achievements. Michael has owned two Mooneys, currently has a Rocket 305, and enjoys flying all kinds of planes. He is a member of various flying clubs and pilot associations around Chicago and is currently the president of CEPA.

Spring Weather Hazards and Crosswind - CEPA Safety Meeting - April 2024
2024-04-24 19:00 - 20:30 | Harper College, 1375 S Wolf Road, Prospect Heights, IL, 60070, United States
Topic: Spring Weather Hazards, Crosswinds, and Flying
Speaker: Dave Klopfleisch
With Spring blooming all around, let’s not forget the winds and weather. Student pilots, VFR, and IFR pilots will all learn some helpful tips. Flying safely is Dave’s mission.
Speaker bio:
For more than 40 years as a flight instructor and 30 years at Chicago Executive Flight School, Dave Klopfleisch has helped hundreds of students learn the art of flying. Dave earned his pilot license while in high school.
Dave served in the Navy and flew in the TA-4 single-engine attack jet. After the Navy, he was an auto mechanic and race car driver. Luckily for us, he found his way back to aviation!
For his dedication and experience in aviation, Dave was awarded the “Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award” in 2022 to mark 50 years of safe flying. “The most rewarding part of my career has been using my experience to teach future pilots how to not only fly a plane but how to fly safely,” he said.

Safety Meeting - March 2024
2024-03-27 19:00 - 20:30 | Harper College, 1375 S Wolf Road, Prospect Heights, IL, 60070, United States
Topic: Flying in mixed traffic at uncontrolled airports
Speaker: Tony Greco

Fundraising Event: AIR OF THE DOG Gala
2024-02-29 18:30 - 21:30 | GMAN Tavern, 3740 N Clark St, Chicago, 60613, United States
WAir Aviation presents…
AIR OF THE DOG Gala
With a live set of 80’s hits by COVERBOY featuring SCOTT LUCAS (Local H).
All proceeds benefit CEPA’s Scholarship Fund and Pilots N Paws.
Buy tickets

Caution Wake Turbulence - Monthly Safety Meeting at PWK by CEPA
2024-02-28 19:00 - 20:30 | Harper College, 1375 S Wolf Road, Prospect Heights, IL, 60070, United States
Wake turbulence in Small Aircraft Operating at Chicago Executive Airport and Other Airports with Mixed Traffic

Speaker: Arthur Gunn

We hear the controller advise, “Caution Wake Turbulence” and often give it cursory thought. Sometimes they add, “Boeing heavy” or “Airbus heavy” 5 miles final.
ATC is required to Issue wake turbulence cautionary advisories including the position, altitude if known, and direction of flight to aircraft operating behind an aircraft that requires wake turbulence separation when 1) VFR aircraft not being radar vectored are behind the larger aircraft, 2) IFR aircraft accept a visual approach or visual separation or 3) VFR arriving aircraft that have previously been radar vectored and the vectoring has been discontinued.
We will discuss a fatal crash at Knoxville, TN, in December 2021 involving one of “My Go Flight’s” founders, Charlie Schneider. NTSB issued its final report on the matter this month.
At this meeting, we will discuss this report and the seriousness of wake turbulence.
Speaker bio:
Arthur Gunn, past president of CEPA, is a commercially certificated pilot, and an avid learner of all things aviation.

CEPA's Annual Holiday Party
2023-12-14 18:00 - 21:00 | Chevy Chase Country Club, 1000 N Milwaukee Avenue, Wheeling, IL, 60090, United States
CEPA ANNUAL HOLIDAY DINNER
Pilots, non-pilots, pilot wannabes, and anyone else interested in aviation are welcome
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Cash Bar at 6 P.M.
Buffet Dinner at 7 P.M.
(vegan, gluten-free, and other options available, please indicate below when registering)
Chevy Chase Country Club
1000 Milwaukee Avenue, Wheeling, 60090

How many in your party?

Just one $50.00 USDTwo of us $100.00 USDThree of us $150.00 USDFour-some $200.00 USD

Comments or dietary requests

Sponsored by Chicago Executive Pilots Association
All pilots, guests, and airport enthusiasts are welcome

CEPA Annual Meeting, Chicago Executive Airport update, and Pilot Safety Meeting
2023-11-29 19:00 - 21:00 | Harper College, 1375 S Wolf Road, Prospect Heights, IL, 60070, United States
Please join us for a full evening of events.
1. We start off with elections for the Chicago Executive Pilots Association Board of Director at-large seats.

2. Jeff Miller, Executive Director of Chicago Executive Airport, will give us an update of happenings at the airport (hint: there is some very good news coming for IFR pilots!) and answer your questions.

3. Monthly Safety Program: Loss of Airspeed Indicator and Loss of Control – Continue the Approach, Go Missed, or Divert?
Loss of control on an approach is a terrifying thought—and you just recovered in a valley with limited visibility and no airport in sight. Is it better to climb to safety with a known issue or scud run a few hundred feet above the ground to find an airport and some terra firma? How is your partial panel proficiency?
What would you do?

CEPA's Virtual Thanksgiving Dinner
2023-11-23 | IL
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Imagine This Delectable Meal Being Delivered Right to Your Inbox
Rather than another silent auction or simply asking you to send a check to the PAPA Scholarship and Safety Foundation* this holiday season, we thought we'd have a little fun by offering a virtual holiday menu. You might just bite off more than you can chew, but since you won't actually be receiving any food, our plan won't mess with your diet. We do hope you'll consider a small donation to support some student's aviation dreams.
* The PAPA Scholarship and Safety Foundation is an IRS 501(c)(3), EIN: 36-4309169
AppetizersPumpkin Soup - $4.00Wild Mushroom Soup - $5.00Bitter Greens with Cranberry Dressing - $4.00EntreesRoast Turkey - $10.00Glazed Ham - $11.00Tofurkey - $10.00Vegan Portobello Pot Roast - $11.00Sides DishesSweet Potato Casserole - $3.00Cranberry Orange Walnut - $4.00Candied Yams - $3.00Brussel Sprouts with Toasted Pecans - $4.00DessertsPecan Pie - $4.00Apple Caramel Pie - $4.00Pumpkin Chiffon Pie - $4.00Prix Fixe4 Course Dinner - $25.005 Course Dinner - $40.006 Course Dinner - $50.007 Course Dinner - $75.00Private Dining in the Chef's Kitchen - $100.00Small table (seats 4) - $500.00Large table (seats 10) - $1,000.00Instead of all the decisions of the many choices above, simply go for the fixed price, full spread!Total$0.00In recognitionNoneMemory ofHonor ofOther (please specify)If you'd like this donation to be in recognition of a person or other, please indicate.Please recognize:Name of Diner *FirstLastEmail *Phone *Payment Choice *PayPal or credit cardZelleSend check via US MailYour contribution will help students further their aviation dreams.Total Amount$0.00Clicking here will take you to PayPal to make the payment after submitting this form.
Zelle Instructions
Please send funds to "treasurer@pwkpilots.org".
Please send your check to:
PAPA Scholarship & Safety Foundation
1005 S Wolf Rd #106
Wheeling, IL 60090
Comment or MessageSubmit

Safety Program: Aircraft Maintenance
2023-10-25 19:00 - 21:00 | Harper College Prospect Heights, 1375 S. Wolf Road, Prospect Heights, IL, 60070, United States

VMC Club: "Piper Arrow Pilot Experiences a Primary Control Failure"
2023-09-27 19:00 - 21:00 | Harper College Prospect Heights, 1375 S. Wolf Road, Prospect Heights, IL, 60070, United States

Scholarship Awards, Hangar Party, IMC Club
2023-07-12 18:00 - 21:00 | Atlantic Aviation, 1011 S Wolf Rd, Wheeling, 60090
Details coming!

Preventing Runway Incursions & Wrong Surface Movements
2023-06-28 19:00 - 21:00 | Harper College Prospect Heights, 1375 S. Wolf Road, Prospect Heights, IL, 60070, United States
Jenny Settle, FAA Great Lakes Regional Runway Safety Program Manager
If you operate an aircraft or work around the airport, you need to know how to stay safe and get around, right?
Our area expert on this topic will update us with new data, conduct an interactive session and share her expertise.

Speaker Biography: Jennifer Settle
Jenny graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Aviation Flight Technology. She has worked as a CFI and is type rated in a BE40.
Jenny started her career as an air traffic control specialist at ORD ATCT in 2008 and has worked as a support specialist. She is now the Runway Safety Program Manager for the Great Lakes Region.
Register for WINGS credit at FAASafety.gov

Run (or Walk) the Runway at CEA PWK
2023-06-24 08:00 - 12:00 | Chicago Executive Airport, 1020 Plant Rd, Wheeling, IL, 60090, United States
Run (or Walk) the Runway at Chicago Executive Airport PWK
Saturday, June 24, 2023
Chicago Executive Airport

CEPA is pleased to support our airport partners in this exceptional event.
Your choice, 5k run or 1 SM walk.
Maintain best forward speed till you cross the threshold. You are cleared for any taxiway or runway, we have the equipment standing by.

Crosswind Confidence - Alan Zielinski, DPE, ATP, CFII
2023-05-24 19:00 - 20:30 | Harper College, 1375 S Wolf Road, Prospect Heights, IL, 60070, United States
We are pleased to have Alan Zielinski present his tips and tricks for mastering crosswinds. Alan has given this topic considerable time as it ruins many too many airplanes every year. Because, if there is a single word Alan would want to be identified – and wants you to embrace – it would be “curious.” Making good landings is great, understanding the principles and being able to explain them is yet another skill entirely. Similar to how we have (hopefully) come to understand how the stabilized approach is a critical success factor, choosing the best runway and the entry when we have significant crosswinds are the first two components to mastering this essential skill.
Biography: Alan Zielinski
Alan is a well-known FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and flight instructor in the Great Chicago area for aircraft and balloons. As a single-engine and jet pilot, instructor, and examiner, he has over 11,000 hours of accident-free flying experience. He is one of us, an aviation addict, flying his own Cessna Skylane and his client’s Cessna Citation, as well as gliders and balloons, clearly, Alan has a passion for flying! He is also the president of the Chicago Flight Instructor Association, advancing the knowledge, understanding, and capabilities of the local rank-and-file instructors.
Alan has been awarded “The Spence Award” by the Chicago Flight Examiners Association and “The Theo Award” by Chicago Flight Instructors Association for his contributions to aviation safety and leadership within the aviation community.

Aaron Barclay of Chicago Approach C90 Tells All
2023-04-26 19:00 - 20:30 | Harper College, 1375 S Wolf Road, Prospect Heights, IL, 60070, United States
If you’ve flown in Chicago airspace, you’ve probably talked to Aaron Barcley getting in or heading out. Most ATC Controllers are not pilots, but Aaron is. In fact, Aaron is a CFI/CFII. Aaron will share some tips on making the pilot-controller partnership work well.

IMC Club at PWK
2023-03-22 19:00 - 20:30 | Harper College, 1375 S Wolf Road, Prospect Heights, IL, 60070, United States

Learn the difference between practicing for an engine failure and really experiencing one
2023-02-22 19:00 - 20:30 | Harper College, 1375 S Wolf Road, Prospect Heights, IL, 60070, United States
Ask any pilot what scares them most, and a catastrophic engine failure is probably near the top of the list. In April 2022, Marc Epner was flying his Cirrus SR-22 to Akron, Ohio from PWK at about 1,500 AGL. About halfway there, he quizzed himself about what he’d do if the engine quit. Little did he know that 30 minutes later he’d be tasked with handling that exact emergency … for real.
Spoiler alert: no one was hurt. Marc says he was surprised by his reaction and is excited to share what he learned from the incident with other pilots. It’s a night you won’t want to miss.
Speaker Bio:
Marc Epner is a Chicago-based pilot, who started his love affair with aviation when he was a young boy growing up in the southern suburbs of Chicago. After earning his private pilot license in 1976, Marc lost his medical in 1979 and didn’t set foot in a general aviation airplane until 2004, a full 25 years later. That flight rekindled his passion for aviation and has since accumulated over 2300 hours, earned multiple ratings, purchased a Cirrus SR22, co-founded Leading Edge Flying Club at Chicago Executive airport, is co-host of the SimpleFlight Radio podcast and active with his “Passion for Flying” YouTube Channel. Marc loves to talk aviation and has been asked to speak to a variety of audiences in venues like Oshkosh AirVenture, Sun-N-Fun, Community Fly-Ins, and others.
Eligible for FAASafety WINGS credit.

Winter Weather Wisdom by Wipotnik
2023-01-10 08:00 - 17:00 | Chicago Executive Flight School, 1098 S Milwaukee Avenue, Wheeling, IL, 60090, United States
Join us on January 25 for an evening of valuable winter weather flying strategies presented by long-time PWK CFI Lou Wipotnik.
This safety session will cover a wide range of safety topics tied to winter weather flying, like when your aircraft engine demands pre-heat and how to handle that chore the right way. How to safely remove frost from your airplane before flight. How should a pilot deal with crosswinds on a slick runway? What is a tailplane stall and how to recognize one? Attendees should bring their own questions to this valuable talk.
The event begins at 7 pm local time at the training room of the Chicago Executive Flying School at 1098 south Milwaukee Ave in Wheeling.
Seating is limited so register today.
Lou Wipotnik is a Master CFI, CFII, MEI
Lou has earned his Master CFI designation for the 10th time, and was the 1996 National CFI of the Year. Holding the Master CFI designation continuously since 1998, in 2016 Lou was granted Master Instructor Emeritus (MIE) status with his induction into the Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame. This is recognition of his many years of commitment to excellence, professional growth, service to the aviation community, and quality aviation education. He has taught for several distinctive flying schools during his aviation career and has logged over 15,000 hours as PIC in over 59 years as a pilot. Lou also served in the Civil Air Patrol, flies Young Eagles, and is a FAASTeam Representative for the FAA’s Greater Chicago FSDO, and is recipient of the distinguished FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award.

HOLIDAY DINNER 2022
2022-12-14 18:00 - 22:00 | Renaissance Suites Hotel Glenview, 1400 Milwaukee Ave, Glenview, IL, 60026, United States
CEPA ANNUAL HOLIDAY DINNER
Pilots, non-pilots, pilot wannabes, and anyone else interested in aviation are welcome
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Cash Bar at 6 P.M.
Buffet Dinner at 7 P.M.
(vegan, gluten-free, and other options available, please indicate below when registering)
Renaissance Suites Hotel, Glenview
1400 Milwaukee Ave., Glenview, 60026

Sponsored by Chicago Executive Pilots Association
All pilots, guests, and airport enthusiasts are welcome

Election of CEPA Officers & Directors, State of the Airport, and IMC Club with Tim Miller, CFI
2022-11-09 19:00 - 20:30 | Crowne Plaza Northbrook, 2875 N Milwaukee Ave, Northbrook, IL, 60062, United States
Floor nominations will be taken and ballots will be counted, then we will announce the CEPA officers and directors for 2023.

Then Jeff Miller, now in his second year as Executive Director of Chicago Executive Airport, will present the State of the Airport.

Finally, Tim Miller, CFI, will lead the IMC Club meeting at PWK. He will lead the discussion:
Stuck Fuel Selector – Why you should never switch tanks at low altitude unless it’s an emergency.
You’re preparing getting ready to land. The checklist says “fullest tank,”.so you switch tanks. Then the fuel selector handle breaks off in your hand!

IMC Club PWK by CEPA - Windy City Weather - Michael Baraz
2022-09-28 19:00 - 21:00 | Chicago Executive Flight School, 1098 S Milwaukee Avenue, Wheeling, IL, 60090, United States
You live in Sheboygan and your sister (a C-130 pilot) and her husband are coming for a visit. The plan is for them to fly by airline to Chicago Midway and you fly down there in your club’s SR22 and pick them up. It’s three days out and the weather is questionable. You’ve only recently been checked out in the SR22 but there is also a Skyhawk that you are reasonably comfortable flying IFR. If it doesn’t look like the weather will hold up for you to make the trip to Chicago, your sister and brother-in-law could change their flight to Green Bay and get a car to drive down to Sheboygan. But they need to book tickets ASAP, so you need to make a decision.
What would you do?

Speaker bio:
Michael Baraz is a newly minted CFII and holds an ATP certificate. He has a desk-bound day job and flies and instructs whenever he can get away.
Michael is also the president of the Chicago Executive Pilot Association, the sponsoring organization of this event, and is always looking for pilots and would-be pilots to join CEPA and volunteer to bring safety events like this to the local pilot community. Can you help?
Credit:
We thank PilotWorkshops.com for allow us to use their scenario.

Let's Fly! EAA Museum (KOSH) tour and Fox River Brewing
2022-09-10 07:00 - 16:00 | EAA Museum, 3000 Poberezny Road, Oshkosh, WI, 54902, United States
Join the Chicago Executive Pilots’ Association when we fly out to Oshkosh for a tour of the EAA Museum and lunch at Fox River Brewing.
More details coming!

Preflight Briefing with Tom Turner, ATP, CFI, CFII, MEI
2022-08-24 19:00 - 21:00 | Crowne Plaza Northbrook, 2875 N Milwaukee Ave, Northbrook, IL, 60062, United States
Thomas P. Turner holds ATP and Flight Instructor certificates with CFII and MEI ratings and a Master’s degree in Aviation Safety. He is Executive Director of the American Bonanza Society Air Safety Foundation. Tom was inducted into the Flight Instructor Hall of Fame in 2015, he was also the 2021 Jack Eggspuhler Award recipient from NAFI, the 2010 National FAA Safety Team Representative of the Year and the 2008 FAA Central Region Flight Instructor of the Year. A three-time Master CFI, Tom has been Lead Instructor for Beechcraft Bonanza pilot training at the Beechcraft factory, turbonormalizer production test pilot, aviation insurance broker and underwriter, corporate flight department manager and safety officer, university aviation course developer and Captain in the United States Air Force. He directs the education and safety arm of a 10,000+ member pilots’ association. With over 4,800 hours logged including over 2,900 as an instructor, Tom writes, lectures, and instructs extensively from his home at THE AIR CAPITAL – Wichita, Kansas.
Come and hear him speak about Mastery of Flight.
Please check back for registration information.

Let's Fly! Abel Island (IA23)
2022-08-20 07:00 - 2022-08-21 16:00 | IL
Join the Chicago Executive Pilots’ Association when we fly out to Abel Island, and camp out.
More details coming!

Let's Fly! North Fox Island (6Y3) Camp Out
2022-08-06 07:00 - 2022-08-07 16:00 | IL
Join the Chicago Executive Pilots’ Association when we fly out to North Fox Lake, and camp out.
More details coming!

Member Appreciation Hangar Picnic and Scholarship Awards
2022-07-13 18:00 - 20:30 | Hangar 13, 1120 S Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling, IL, 60090, United States
Summer Hangar Party Time
Celebrate Scholarship Winners
Celebrate CEPA Members
Enjoy a Picnic at the Airport
JULY 13 6:00 PM HANGAR 13
Our Annual
Member Appreciation Dinner
and
Scholarship Presentation

Eat, drink, and be merry!
Meet the scholarship winners
Members Free
Guests $10

Let's Fly! Indianapolis Eagle Creek (KEYE) lunch
2022-07-09 10:00 - 15:00 | Rick’s Cafe Boatyard, 4050 Dandy Trail, Indianapolis, IN, 46254
Join the Chicago Executive Pilots’ Association when we fly out to Eagle Creek Airpark, Indianapolis, IN, and have lunch at Rick’s Boatyard Cafe.

Preflight Briefing with Max Trescott - June 22nd
2022-06-22 19:00 - 21:00 | Crowne Plaza Northbrook, 2875 N Milwaukee Ave, Northbrook, IL, 60062, United States
“If you still have trouble keeping an LPV approach straight from an LNAV/ VNAV and the gotchas inherent in any of the new generation IFR procedures, join us June 22nd when our presenter is Max Trescott, a National CFI of the Year. He’ll help everyone decipher WAAS minimums once and for all. Trescott also hosts the popular Aviation News Talk podcast and is the author of the GPS WAAS Instrument Flying Handbook.

Let's Fly! WACO Aircraft at Battle Creek, MI
2022-06-04 10:00 - 16:00 | WACO Aircraft, 15955 South Airport Road, Battle Creek, MI, 49015, United States
Join the Chicago Executive Pilots’ Association when we fly out to Battle Creek, Michigan, where we get a private tour of the WACO Aircraft factory.
