Skydive Chicago Airport (8N2), Illinois
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Skydive Chicago (local identifier 8N2) is a public-use airport in Ottawa, Illinois, built around a single paved runway and known for its parachute operations. The field sits without a control tower and reports its activity to FAA TFMSC as business aviation traffic, which stayed modest in 2025. Operators without customs clearance should note that the nearest customs airport is KDPA, roughly 39 nautical miles away.
Runways
Skydive Chicago Airport has one paved runway, 03/21, 4,522 ft long and 50 ft wide, with an asphalt surface.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
The airport has no control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Skydive Chicago Airport does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Dupage (KDPA), 39 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Skydive Chicago Airport recorded 31 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in August. Business aviation traffic at Skydive Chicago concentrates in the summer and early fall, with August, July, and October showing the highest monthly operations counts for 2025.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month August, 9 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Weather station is 2.7 NM from the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Skydive Chicago Airport has published operating constraints in three categories: runway notes, noise procedures and other notes.
A 268-foot cellular tower is located half a mile west-southwest of Runway 03.
Runway lights (LIRL) for Runway 03/21 are pilot-activated on frequency 122.725.
A 7-foot-tall crop obstruction is located 68 feet from the runway end.
A 7-foot-tall shrub is located 67 feet from the runway end.
For noise abatement, pilots are asked to fly a wide pattern on Runway 03.
There is extensive parachute activity on and in the vicinity of the airport.
For clearance delivery, contact Chicago ARTCC.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Skydive Chicago Airport has five airfields within 33 NM. The closest is Illinois Valley Regional-Walter A Duncan Field (KVYS), 16.45 NM west.
Part of the Chicago area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at 8N2
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$1,200.00 catering order at 8N2.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
What runway does Skydive Chicago (8N2) offer?
Skydive Chicago operates a single paved runway, designated 03/21, measuring 4,522 feet long and 50 feet wide with an asphalt surface. This is the only runway at the field, so all arriving and departing traffic uses this strip regardless of wind direction. Pilots should plan approaches accordingly since there is no crosswind runway option available.
Is there customs clearance available at 8N2?
Skydive Chicago does not have onsite customs service. The nearest customs-equipped airport is KDPA, located approximately 39 nautical miles away. Operators requiring customs clearance on an international itinerary should plan to route through KDPA or another customs facility rather than expecting service directly at Skydive Chicago.
What operational hazards should pilots know about at Skydive Chicago?
Skydive Chicago reports extensive parachute activity on and in the vicinity of the airport, which pilots should factor into approach and departure planning. Close-in obstructions include 7-foot crops and 7-foot shrubs located roughly 67 to 68 feet from the runway end. A 268-foot cellular tower also sits about half a mile west-southwest of Runway 03.
Does Skydive Chicago have a control tower or specific traffic procedures?
Skydive Chicago is a non-towered airport, so pilots coordinate their own traffic sequencing. The field asks pilots to fly a wide pattern on Runway 03 for noise abatement, and clearance delivery communications are handled through Chicago ARTCC rather than a local tower. Runway lights on 03/21 are pilot-activated on frequency 122.725.