Aurora Municipal Airport

Aurora Municipal Airport (ARR) serves as the primary general aviation facility for the Fox Valley region, supporting owner-pilots, flight training operations, and small business aviation needs in Aurora, Illinois. Located approximately 10 miles west of downtown Aurora, ARR provides exceptional convenience for based aircraft owners seeking to balance accessibility with affordability. With VFR runways measuring 2,800 and 3,500 feet, ARR accommodates single-engine aircraft, light twins, and basic training aircraft, making it idyllic for recreational pilots and flight schools. The airport's strategic location within the Fox Valley creates easy access to communities including Naperville, Hinsdale, Wheaton, and Elmhurst, representing a population base exceeding 2 million people within 30 minutes of the field. For flight training schools, ARR offers an attractive alternative to busier urban airports, maintaining less congestion during peak training hours while providing professional training environments. Several flight schools maintain operations emphasizing piston aircraft training, instrument rating courses, and commercial pilot development. The airport's runway maintenance standards support safe operations across a full range of general aviation aircraft types. The dual runway configuration provides operational efficiency for flight training with staggered traffic patterns. Hangar availability at ARR remains relatively accessible compared to Chicago-area metropolitan airports, supporting owner-pilots seeking affordable basing options without compromising facility quality. The fixed-base operator provides essential services including 100LL and Jet A fuels, maintenance coordination, aircraft tie-down facilities, and rental aircraft. The professional FBO staff coordinates maintenance with local mechanics and coordinates logistics for aircraft owners. For aircraft financing at ARR, values reflect the aircraft's utility for personal and recreational flying in the growing Fox Valley market. Owner-pilots financing single-engine aircraft find ARR particularly attractive due to the strong community of similar aircraft owners and the excellent availability of maintenance services through local mechanics and authorized service facilities. The airport's proximity to excellent regional hospitals, including Aurora Medical Center, appeals to medically-related aviation operations and emergency medical services. Corporate turboprops occasionally utilize ARR as a secondary base, taking advantage of the reduced parking costs compared to PWK or DPA while maintaining access to western suburban corporate parks. The surrounding retail and service community has developed to support based aircraft owners, including specialized aircraft detailing, avionics services, and maintenance shops. The Fox Valley location provides excellent ground transportation access through major highways I-88 and I-90. For aircraft financing purposes, ARR-based aircraft typically serve personal transportation, flight training, or small business utility functions. Lenders evaluating ARR-based aircraft consider the aircraft's total cost of ownership, including reduced facility fees, competitive fuel prices, and accessible maintenance compared to larger metropolitan airports. The airport's community character and accessible environment make it idyllic for owner-pilot financing.