Chicago Executive Airport (KPWK)
Medium airport · Chicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling, Illinois, United States
Airport data
| Name | Chicago Executive Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | KPWK |
| IATA | PWK |
| Elevation | 647 ft (197 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 42°6'51" W 87°54'5" 42.11422, -87.90149 |
| Location | Chicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling, Illinois, United States |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/24 | 3,677 ft (1121 m) | 50 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 12/30 | 4,415 ft (1346 m) | 75 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 16/34 | 5,001 ft (1524 m) | 150 ft | ASP | Yes |
Chicago Executive Airport at a glance
Chicago Executive Airport is a medium airport in Chicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling, Illinois, United States, known to airline systems as PWK. The field elevation of 647 ft (197 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at KPWK are all figured from it. There is no scheduled airline service listed here — typical traffic is general aviation, training and local operations.
Of its 3 runways, the longest — 16/34 — offers 5,001 ft (1524 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 16 points roughly 160° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for KPWK shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Chicago Executive Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago O'Hare International Airport | KORD | 15 km (8 NM) |
| Dupage Airport | KDPA | 37 km (20 NM) |
| Chicago Midway International Airport | KMDW | 39 km (21 NM) |
| Kenosha Regional Airport | KENW | 54 km (29 NM) |
| Gary/Chicago International Airport | KGYY | 68 km (37 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Chicago Executive Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 647 ft field elevation of Chicago Executive Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 917 airports and airfields we list for United States — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Chicago Executive Airport
What is the ICAO code of Chicago Executive Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Chicago Executive Airport is KPWK, and its IATA code is PWK. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Chicago Executive Airport above sea level?
Chicago Executive Airport sits at an elevation of 647 feet (197 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Chicago Executive Airport located?
The airport lies at 42.1142, -87.9015 — in Chicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling, Illinois, United States, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Chicago O'Hare International Airport, about 15 km away.
Does KPWK publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for KPWK appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Chicago Executive Airport?
Chicago Executive Airport has 3 runways. The longest, 16/34, measures 5,001 ft (1524 m) with a ASP surface.