Chicago Flyway question

skycowboy

skycowboy

New Member
I was looking at the VFR flyways around the chicago area, and it shows a flyway over the lake at 2,500ft. Now my question is this and I realize this a really dumb question, but can you seriously fly up next to the Chicago skyline like that. I know planes did it all the time when Meigs was open ut since 9/11 is it a no-questions asked event to do this at 2,500ft under the class B?
 
Despite the best efforts of Mayor Daley, it is perfectly legal to fly down the lakeshore under the class B so long as you maintain the appropriate distance from the skyline. Just watch out for Cubs and Sox games as the stadiums are close to the lake front. It's a fun flight to do, I used to take people down the lakeshore on intro flights from Palwaukee (Chicago Executive).
 
Do it. You won't forget the experience. If you are lucky enough to get flight following from Chicago Approach they might give you a couple of special instructions (like stay east Navy Pier, etc). Otherwise, enjoy the flight and study the chart before you go. Make sure you don't bust the bravo airspace.
 
Just stay below 2500' and you don't have to talk to anybody... Go above 3000' and you might jut get real cozy with me on final for 28. :)
 
I've done it twice. One time there was not much traffic at all. The other time was during Oshkosh week and there was lots.
 
Yes, it is safe to fly the lakeshore at/under 2500! When I depart out of PWK and fly south along the lakeshore I ALWAYS get flight following with either Chicago DEP 120.55 or MDW APP 119.45. There can be a lot of traffic along the lakeshore at your altitude and when it gets hazy it can be VERY difficult to spot them all- in the summer you can get a lot of "banner planes" around 1500AGL or lower and you need to keep a CLOSE eye out on those as well! It is a great thrill to get close to the city and see the JohnHancock and other buildings!:rawk: [no closer than 2000ft horiz of course] When passing directly east of MDW and you are in the 100/36 shelf and want to climb to just over 3000ft[to stay clear of GYY's D] MDW APP will sometimes hold you to 2500msl until you pass over GYY due to the MDW 31C/4R arrivals[MOTIF STAR I believe] And also monitor MDW and/or ORD tower[especially if ORD is using 27L/28 for arrivals-the jets will be turning from base to final around 1-2nm from the shoreline around 4-5k] Thank god Mayor Daley did not put a ban on GA planes from flying over or near the city!!:rawk:

Have a great day everyone and fly safe!

Peter
 
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