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Cook County Forest Preserve  ·  Matteson, Illinois

Public RC Flying Field — South of Chicago

Paved runway, three flying zones, and no membership required. Bring your plane, heli, or drone — or just come watch.

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Open Sunrise to Sunset Year-Round Free to Visit No Remote ID Required
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I Want to Fly

Zones, rules, AMA info, and what to know before you show up with an aircraft.

See Flying Info ↓
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I Want to Watch

Where to park, where to stand, and what it's like on a busy day. Bring folding chairs.

See Visitor Info ↓
About the Field

Dedicated Flying Areas for Planes, Helis, and Drones

Located at 19498 S Cicero Ave in Matteson, this Cook County Forest Preserve field is open every day from sunrise to sunset at no charge. Two RC clubs fly here — Tinley Creek RC is one of them — but the field belongs to Cook County and is open to any pilot or visitor. Nobody will hassle you for showing up solo.

300' Asphalt Runway
3 Flying Zones
365 Days a Year
FREE to Visit
Field Tour

See the Field from Above

Drone flythrough of the full field — runway, helicopter area, drone pads, and the surrounding forest preserve.

Field Layout

Flying Zone Map

Each aircraft type has its own area so planes, helis, and drones don't share airspace.

Aerial view of Tinley Creek RC Flying Field with zone overlays, Matteson IL AIRPLANE FLYING AREA HELICOPTER FLYING AREA NO FLY ZONE / PITS U-CONTROL & MULTI-ROTOR FLYING AREA (DRONES) SPECTATOR AREA STAND HERE IF FLYING THE "L" SAFETY LINE N
Airplane Flying Area
Helicopter Flying Area
No Fly Zone / Pits
U-Control & Drones
Spectator Area
Getting Here

Find Us

Tinley Creek Model Airplane
Flying Field
19498 S Cicero Ave
Matteson, IL 60443
Cook County Forest Preserve

Open sunrise to sunset  ·  365 days a year  ·  Free

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What Can You Fly

Three Designated Flying Areas

Each aircraft type has its own dedicated zone — keeping fixed-wing, rotary, and multi-rotor traffic completely separate.

🛩️ Airplane Area ▾

Airplane Flying Area

The main zone has a 300-foot east-west asphalt runway — plenty of room for takeoffs, touch-and-gos, and low passes. Trainers, warbirds, pattern, scale, EDF jets, and gas all welcome.

  • 300' east-west asphalt runway
  • Pilot stations with plane stands
  • All fixed-wing types welcome
  • Fly only from designated flight stations
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300'Asphalt Runway
East-WestRunway Heading
🚁 Helicopter Area ▾

Helicopter Flying Area

Dedicated grass area completely separate from fixed-wing traffic. Plenty of room for hover practice, precision maneuvers, and 3D aerobatics. Scale helis, sport helis, and everything in between.

  • Dedicated grass flying area
  • No fixed-wing traffic in this zone
  • All rotary-wing aircraft welcome
  • Hover practice, sport flying, and 3D
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GrassDedicated Area
AllRotary Welcome
Drone & U-Control ▾

Drone & U-Control Area

East side of the field, right off the parking lot. Designated for multi-rotor, FPV, and U-control (control line) flying with dedicated pads and open grass. FRIA designated — no Remote ID required.

  • Multi-rotor and FPV welcome
  • U-control / control line flying
  • Dedicated pads and open grass
  • FRIA designated — no Remote ID required
Full drone area details →
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FRIAFAA Designated
NoRemote ID Required
FAA Designation

No Remote ID Required — For Every Aircraft

This field holds FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA) status, which means no pilot flying within the field boundaries — fixed-wing, helicopter, drone, or U-control — is required to broadcast Remote ID. See full FRIA details and drone flying info on the drone & FPV area page.

FAA registration still applies to aircraft over 0.55 lbs (250g) — FRIA only waives the Remote ID broadcast requirement, not registration itself.
Spectators and pilots at Tinley Creek RC Flying Field
Visitors & Spectators

Come Watch. You're Welcome Here.

Spectators are welcome anytime the field is open — no registration, no tickets, no charge. Pull into the parking lot off S Cicero Ave, walk over to the spectator area, and watch anything from slow trainer flights to large-scale warbirds and precision aerobatic helicopters.

Kids love the field. On a busy weekend there might be a dozen aircraft in the air across all zones at once. You're close enough to see the detail on a scale warbird, but a fence separates the spectator area from the active pilot zone — so you can relax.

  • Stay behind the fence — it marks the boundary between the spectator area and the active pilot zone
  • Keep an eye on younger children near the runway; gas and jet aircraft can be loud
  • Handicapped-accessible porta-potty on site, near the airplane and helicopter area
  • Check the field info box near the entrance for club notices and upcoming events
  • Parking lot is on site off S Cicero Ave — park and walk to the spectator area
First visit tip: Seating is a few basic picnic tables. For a comfortable stay, bring folding chairs.
Rules & Safety

Field Rules — What Every Pilot Needs to Know

These are the official Forest Preserves of Cook County rules posted at the field. All pilots are expected to know and follow them.

Pilot Requirements

  • Current AMA membership required, or a certificate of insurance naming the Forest Preserves as additional insured
  • Follow all AMA safety codes and Forest Preserves ordinances
  • Fly only from designated flight stations — no taxiing in or out of the pit area
  • Use appropriate announcements when taking off, landing, or in an emergency

What's Prohibited

  • Flying before sunrise or after sunset
  • Flying near pits, spectators, parking lots, roadways, or neighboring homes
  • Flying under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances
  • Spectators entering the pilot area without permission

These rules are enforced by Cook County Forest Preserves and violations can carry fines or loss of field access. Full regulations: fpdcc.com/things-to-do/model-airplane-drones/

🚨 In case of emergency: call 911.
This is a public Forest Preserve — emergency services respond to this address: 19498 S Cicero Ave, Matteson, IL 60443.
Tinley Creek Flying Field official regulations sign, Forest Preserves of Cook County
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Events at the Field

Fun Flies & Club Nights

The field hosts regular events throughout the year — annual fun flies open to all pilots, club meetings at the field, and more. You don't have to be a member to attend most events.

See Upcoming Events

Like What You See?

Club membership is $35/year — events, instruction, and a community of pilots who actually show up.

Join TCRC — $35/year About the Club
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

New to the field? Here are the questions we hear most.

Do I need to join a club to fly here?
No — membership is not required. The field is a public Cook County Forest Preserve facility, open to any pilot. Two clubs fly here — including Tinley Creek RC — but you don't have to join either one. You will need a current AMA membership (or certificate of insurance) to fly, which is a Forest Preserve requirement.
What is AMA and do I really need it?
AMA stands for Academy of Model Aeronautics — it's the national organization for RC flying, and membership provides liability insurance coverage required by the Forest Preserves. An adult membership is currently $89/year — check modelaircraft.org for current pricing.
Do I need to register my drone with the FAA?
FAA registration is required for any aircraft over 0.55 lbs (250g) — costs $5 for three years at faadronezone.faa.gov. Because this field has FRIA (FAA-Recognized Identification Area) status, no pilot — fixed-wing, helicopter, drone, or U-control — is required to broadcast Remote ID while flying within the field boundaries. Registration of the aircraft itself still applies.
I'm a complete beginner. Can I still come out and fly?
Absolutely. The pilots here are generally happy to chat and answer questions. For hands-on training, TCRC has a designated AMA Intro Pilot Mentor — George Nichols — who schedules dual-control sessions for new pilots. Request a session. New pilots without AMA membership can fly under the AMA Introductory Pilot Program for up to 90 days while deciding on AMA.
Can I bring my family or kids to watch?
Yes — spectators are welcome at any time the field is open. Kids love watching the aircraft. Just stay behind the fence that separates the spectator area from the active flying zones, and keep an eye on younger children near the runway areas. There's no admission, no tickets — just show up.
Is there parking on site?
Yes, there's a parking lot directly on site off S Cicero Ave. Pilots typically unload from the lot and move aircraft to the pit area. Note that motorized vehicles are not permitted on the grass flying areas.
What are the bathroom facilities like?
There is one porta-potty on site near the airplane and helicopter area. It is handicapped accessible. Garbage cans are available throughout the field.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The field is officially open sunrise to sunset every day of the year — there are no official closures for weather. Whether to fly is always the pilot's call. Winds above 15-20 mph, rain, and deep winter cold are the main reasons pilots stay home. Weekend afternoons in spring and fall tend to be the busiest. When the weather keeps you grounded, check out indoor flying venues near Chicago — domes, gyms, and rec centers where you can keep flying through the winter.
What should I bring?
Pilots: Your aircraft, charged batteries, transmitter, AMA card, sunscreen, water, and a folding chair. A shade canopy is worth bringing on hot days — there's no covered shelter at the field. A small repair kit (CA glue, tape, spare props) is handy too. Spectators: Folding chairs, sunscreen, and maybe binoculars if you want a closer look. Seating at the field is limited to a few picnic tables.
When is the best time to visit?
Weekend mornings (Saturday and Sunday) are when you'll see the most activity. Weekday afternoons can be good too, especially in summer. If you're coming for the first time and want to meet people, Saturday morning is your best bet. Winter flying is quieter but the field is still open.

Have a question not answered here? Contact us or ask any pilot at the field.

Come Out and See It

The Field Is Free. Just Show Up.

Pilots fly with an AMA card. Spectators just show up. Open every day, sunrise to sunset.

Want more? TCRC members get reserved pit spots at events and a crew that actually shows up to fly. $35/year.

Get Directions Join TCRC — $35/year
Field Info About Officers Sponsors Simulators Indoor Flying Contact