Windy City Jets Invitational will return in 2026
This is a Radio Controlled Aircraft Event for Turbine aircraft.
The planes you will see at our event are scale models of full-size aircraft. They are replicas of military and classic aircraft from the Korean War, Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, up to current generation of modern jet aircraft. The show will feature jet aircraft powered by small scale turbine engines flying aerobatic maneuvers.
The Jet Pilot Organization is the Special Interest Group (SIG) for the jet modeling community within the Academy of Model Aeronautics. The primary purpose of the JPO is to promote and protect the hobby of radio controlled jet modeling.
This event is limited to:
Scale turbine powered aircraft.
Hotel Event Rate Available:
Fairfield Inn by Marriott – 2096 Bricher Rd. St. Charles. Illinois 60174. Phone number (630) 845-5500. Ask for the WINDY CITY RATE
Updated requirements for AMA Sanctioned Events including Windy City Jets:
The AMA has revised the requirements concerning the operation of turbine-powered models, and aircraft that weigh more than 55-pounds.
To fly a model airplane that weighs more than 55 pounds, the owner/pilot must have a permit to fly for that specific airplane from the AMA. A pilot shall have this document with him or her to present at check in. There is also a current listing of all pilots and their approved airplanes in the members-only documents section of the AMA website.
There are four categories of large model airplanes:
– LMA-1 airplanes weigh between 55 and 77 pounds, with fuel, ready to fly.
– LTMA-1 airplanes are powered by turbine engines and weigh between 55 and 77 pounds, with fuel, ready to fly.
– LMA-2 airplanes weigh between 77 and 125 pounds, with fuel, ready to fly.
– LTMA-2 airplanes are powered by turbine engines and weigh between 77 and 100 pounds, with fuel, ready to fly.
* It is the responsibility of the Contest Director to verify that the pilot has the proper credentials to fly their aircraft.
FLYING SITE PROCEDURES
In all respects, safety is the dominant consideration for what we do. As we conduct ourselves during the event, we must keep safety as our primary effort.
As the “Pilot in Command” you are accepting responsibility for the aircraft, payload, and all events that occur during the course of the flight. You must always exercise sound judgment and decision-making, recognize and manage risks effectively, and maintain situational awareness.
You will be facing south on the side of our paved east-west runway. Our field boundaries are the top of the first gun-range berm to the east, and the first tree line to the west. Please fly in a race-track pattern based upon the designated direction indicated by the air boss. There are designated areas for starting engines prior to flight. It is imperative that we use these starting areas exclusively. Starting and/or running engines or motors in the pit area is strictly prohibited.
Should the need arise for you to test run your engine please see the air boss. A location away from the pilot stations and spectators will be made available for this purpose. Formation and group flights of like aircraft are encouraged. Please let the flight line team know in advance of your intentions, and they will work your group into the sequence. There will be six flight stations. Although a maximum of six aircraft will be permitted to fly simultaneously, exceptions will be made for formations and gaggles.
Event Details
$5.00 Adults – Kids 12 and Under FREE
Food Vendors Onsite, Lots of Restaurants and Shopping nearby
Incredible RC Aircraft, All powered by actual turbine engines
Skilled and Safe Pilots, with as many as 6 or more Planes Flying at Once – Great Family Fun
Show Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Your safety is our priority
Windy City Jets Invitational, brought to you by the Fox Valley Aero Club, is sanctioned Event Code 14018 by the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) and adheres to the AMA’s safety guidelines. Every effort is being taken to ensure your safety. Please pay close attention to any and all safety announcements during your visit with us. Certain areas, for your safety, are restricted to pilots only. Please do not enter these areas, and at all times follow the directions of event personnel. It is imperative that you remain vigilant to the activities around you.
In the event of an aircraft incident or other emergency we will issue an appropriate warning, as time allows, so that you may be aware of the situation.
Persons attending this event expressly assume all of the risks incident to the event, whether occurring prior to, during or subsequent to the actual event, and agree that all sanctioning bodies, and all event staff, employees, agents, officers, and directors of the Fox Valley Aero Club, its affiliates and subsidiaries, are hereby released from any and all claims for personal injury or property damage.
Please Support these Proud Sponsors
If you would like to support Windy City Jets, please contact Dave Murray (847) 254-6475
Registered Pilots:
To provide a safe and more enjoyable experience for our pilots and spectators the event has been limited to 45 slots. The Event Coordinators and Flight Boss Operations will determine the flight arrangements and order at the time of the event.
Thank you to all our supporting pilots, especially those that attended from list below. Everyone contributed and made this a fantastic event! See you in 2025… Thank you from Dave Murray and the FVAC.
01. Larry Grela, Naperville IL
02. Scott Schilling, St. Charles IL
03. Vic Fortino, Bartlett IL
04. John Anzalone, West Chicago IL
05. Bob Oliva, Geneva IL
06. Gary Koester, Somonauk IL
07. Lewis Patton, Louisville KY
08. Keith Yates, Bardstown KY
09. Chuck Spoda, Wonder Lake IL
10. Vince Colella, Bartlett IL
11. Nick Mitrakos, Wilmette IL
12. Ken Olsen, Fremont OH
13. Nick Yuhasz, Amherst OH
14. Joe Felonk, Willow Springs IL
15. Sebastian Kowalski, Chicago IL
16. Chris Tucker, Redford MI
17. Lenn Todd, Baldwin MI
18. Mike Mueller, Algonquin IL
19. Tim Lin, Orlando FL
20. Ali Machinchy, Champaign IL
21. R.J. Monroe, Middlebury IN
22. Ed Gombash, North Aurora IL
23. Kevin Trejo, Pingree Grove IL
24. Paul Remias, Streamwood IL
25. Piotr Niedoba, Roselle IL
26. Opio Muhammad, Hammond IN
27. David Murray, St. Charles IL
28. Rich Erikson, Crystal Lake IL
29. Tim Redelman, Winamac IN
30. Luke Varner, Culpeper VA
31. Peter Machacek, Melrose Park IL
32. Bob Belluomini, Cincinnati OH
33. Rob Getz, Palatine IL
34. Jim Hiller, Louisville KY
35. Scott Adams, New Lenox IL
36. Chris Iwan, Chesterton IN
37. Brady Ornat, Wakarusa, IN
38. Open Slot
39. Open Slot
40. Open Slot
41. Open Slot
42. Open Slot
43. Open Slot
44. Open Slot
45. Open Slot