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KPWK

Vendor requirements at Chicago Executive Airport

Wheeling, IL. PWK. Sponsor: Chicago Executive Airport Board (owned by the Village of Wheeling and the City of Prospect Heights)

Anyone doing paid aeronautical work at Chicago Executive, including washing or repairing aircraft for others, needs a Commercial Operating Permit approved by the Airport Board before starting. The permit fee is $250 a month for most activities and $500 a month for services from companies that are not airfield tenants. The permit schedule asks for at least $1M per occurrence general liability, and vendors who drive airside need an access badge, a vehicle permit and the AOA driving class and test.

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Permit to operate

Commercial Operating Permit, issued by Chicago Executive Airport Board (application to the Airport Manager).

Fee: $250 a month for most categories, including aircraft detailing and other activities; $500 a month for services provided by non-airfield tenants (Schedule A, effective 2025-05-01). A security deposit applies; the airport contacts the applicant with the amount.

The permit is limited to the approved activity, cannot be assigned, and changes must be reported to the Airport Manager in writing within 15 days. Specialized operators are encouraged, not required, to sublease from an FBO. A Temporary Specialized Aeronautical Service Operator can work for 30 days at a time on and from an aircraft operator's leased premises; the aircraft operator requests the permit in writing and is responsible for the vendor's compliance. The Airport Manager can also issue temporary or special use permits of up to one year.

Insurance minimums

CoverageMinimumApplies to
General liabilityMust include premises and operations, independent contractors, products and completed operations, broad form contractual and hangarkeepers liability. Minimum Standards Attachment A sets limits by operator type, but its columns could not be read cleanly. $1M per occurrence combined single limit Commercial Operating Permit holders (Schedule B)
Auto liabilityOwned, non-owned and hired vehicles, single limit per occurrence. Attachment A requires $5M combined single limit for non-licensed vehicles on the movement area. Required, amount not stated in Schedule B Commercial Operating Permit holders (Schedule B)
Environmental liability $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate Where required (Attachment A)
Excess liability Required, amount not stated Commercial Operating Permit holders (Schedule B)
Workers compensation Statutory (Illinois) All permit holders

Endorsements and policy terms

  • The Municipalities, the Airport Board, the Wheeling Board of Trustees and the Prospect Heights City Council named as additional insureds (Minimum Standards)
  • Insurers licensed or authorized in Illinois with a Best rating of A-7
  • 30 days notice of cancellation by registered mail (Schedule B)
  • Location of operation shown as all locations in Cook County, Illinois

Badging and security

  • Vendors and their employees who need vehicle access to movement or non-movement areas need an airport access badge, or must be escorted.
  • An Authorizing Agent may request badges for individuals. Approved applicants receive one access badge and one vehicle permit after the application and fees are complete.
  • A non-refundable administrative fee applies to the first badge, and replacements cost extra; amounts were not found.
  • Badges are valid for two years, cannot be loaned, and must be returned when the permit ends. A badge not returned within 10 days carries a $50 fine.
  • The airport access control map (updated 2025-10-27) shows gates and drive areas and links to Bluetooth credential setup instructions. Gates must close behind you; no tailgating.

Vehicles and ramp driving

  • Drivers need a valid state license and proof of insurance, and must attend the AOA Vehicle Operators Class and pass an AOA driving test.
  • Every vehicle on the AOA must be registered in the Vehicle Permit Program and show the permit on the lower left corner of the windshield. Drive-access permits go only to vehicles needed for permitted aeronautical business or government work.
  • Speed limit 15 mph on the AOA and 5 mph within 50 feet of aircraft or buildings. Stay 100 feet behind taxiing aircraft and 15 feet from a parked aircraft's wing or tail.
  • Non-exclusive users need written permission and must drive directly to their destination with flashing parking lights. Vehicles used only on the AOA need markings and an amber or red beacon.
  • Movement area entry needs ATC clearance and Airport Manager permission; infrequent users are escorted.
  • Fuel trucks and tank vehicles need Airport Manager approval.

Training

  • AOA Vehicle Operators Class and driving test for anyone driving airside.
  • Operators whose employees fuel or transfer fuel must provide fire prevention and spill response training at hire and every year, with records.

Washing and environmental rules

  • Anyone washing aircraft for others must hold a permit from the Board; the self-service exception covers only an operator's own based aircraft.
  • Wash only in areas designated by the Airport Manager, following the Storm Water Management Plan.
  • All drainage must go to an oil/water separator.
  • Biodegradable soap only; no solvents or degreasers.
  • Dry washing is allowed in areas without a separator.

Fees

  • Commercial Operating Permit: $250 a month for most categories; $500 a month for non-airfield tenants (Schedule A, effective 2025-05-01).
  • Badge not returned within 10 days: $50 fine.
  • SASOs selling fuel to tenants pay fuel flowage fees.
  • No fee on gross receipts was found in the permit schedules.

Working under an FBO or tenant

Specialized operators may sublease from an FBO but are not required to, and each still needs its own Commercial Operating Permit. A vendor without premises can work on an aircraft operator's leasehold under a 30-day Temporary Specialized Aeronautical Service Operator permit that the aircraft operator requests and answers for. A lessee may escort vendors and contractors in restricted areas.

What we could not confirm

  • Minimum Standards Attachment A insurance table did not extract cleanly, so general liability, auto and hangarkeepers limits for each activity type are not confirmed.
  • Schedule B states the $1M general liability as a "maximum combined single limit," which reads like a drafting error for minimum. Confirm with the airport.
  • Schedule A of the permit still refers to "Palwaukee Municipal Airport," the airport's former name.
  • The Certificate of Insurance Requirements PDF has no readable text.
  • Section 10 frames the temporary permit around specialized maintenance and flight training; whether detailers or cleaners can use it is not confirmed.
  • Badge and vehicle permit administrative fee amounts were not found.
  • The Rules and Regulations are dated 2006-09-15; Section 6 (fueling, fuel delivery permits) did not extract.
  • Permit term is not stated.

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