Bob Walberg Airport — Belvidere's Private Aviation Landmark in Boone County
Bob Walberg Airport is a privately owned landing facility located near Belvidere, the county seat of Boone County in northern Illinois. Belvidere sits roughly 15 miles east of Rockford and approximately 70 miles northwest of Chicago, placing it within the busy general aviation environment of the greater Chicago metropolitan region. The airport honors a local aviation figure whose legacy reflects the long tradition of private pilots and small-plane enthusiasts who have shaped northern Illinois's non-commercial aviation community. Like many private strips in the Boone County area, Bob Walberg Airport primarily serves personal aircraft and small utility flights.
Northern Illinois general aviation operates under the jurisdiction of the FAA's Great Lakes Region and Illinois IDOT's Division of Aeronautics. Aircraft flying in the Belvidere area must remain coordinated with Chicago's complex airspace structure, including the Class B airspace surrounding O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and the Class C airspace at Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD), located just to the west. Pilots approaching or departing Bob Walberg Airport should monitor advisory frequencies carefully to avoid conflicts with traffic transitioning through this densely traveled corridor.
Who may use Bob Walberg Airport near Belvidere?
As a private facility, Bob Walberg Airport requires prior permission from the owner for any landing or takeoff. It is not a public-use airport open to all pilots.
How close is Bob Walberg Airport to Chicago O'Hare?
Belvidere is approximately 70 miles northwest of O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Pilots must account for the extensive O'Hare Class B airspace when planning flights to or from the area.
What is the nearest public airport to Belvidere, Illinois?
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) is the nearest public-use facility with full services, located roughly 15 miles west of Belvidere.
Does IDOT track private airstrips like Bob Walberg Airport?
Yes, IDOT's Division of Aeronautics maintains a registry of private landing areas in Illinois and works with the FAA to ensure safety standards are upheld even for non-public facilities.
Bob Walberg Airport Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Belvidere, Illinois.
| Name | Bob Walberg Airport |
| Address | Denny Road, Belvidere IL 61008 Map |
| Phone | (815) 544-2100 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Bob Walberg Airport
Airports near Belvidere
Boone County Aviation Heritage and the Northern Illinois Pilot Community
Boone County's aviation identity is closely tied to its position in the Chicago exurban corridor, where private pilots seek airports that offer respite from the traffic and fees of major metropolitan facilities. Bob Walberg Airport represents this tradition—a named private strip maintained by an aviation enthusiast to support personal flying in a county where agriculture, manufacturing, and suburban development coexist. The Chrysler assembly plant and other industrial employers historically drew skilled workers to Belvidere, and some of those workers became pilots using small strips like this one for weekend flying and business travel.
For those needing commercial airline service, Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) offers over 900 daily departures from 79 airlines to destinations worldwide and remains one of the two or three busiest airports in the United States by operations. Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) is a viable alternative for northern Illinois residents seeking shorter drives and less congestion, with Allegiant Air and other low-cost carriers offering service to popular leisure destinations from Rockford's modern terminal.