Compass Rose Airport — Caledonia's Private Airstrip in Boone County
Compass Rose Airport is a privately owned landing facility near Caledonia, a small community in Boone County, northern Illinois. The evocative name—drawn from the navigational rose displayed on aeronautical charts and compasses—signals the aviation passion of its owners. Caledonia sits just north of Rockford in the Rock River corridor, a landscape of gently rolling terrain where private airstrips blend seamlessly into the agricultural scenery. The airport serves personal and recreational flying for the owner and authorized guests, consistent with the private-use classification maintained by IDOT's Division of Aeronautics.
Boone and Winnebago counties together form one of the more active general aviation zones in northern Illinois outside of the Chicago metropolitan core. The proximity of Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) — with its FAA Air Traffic Control tower and full instrument landing system approaches — provides a solid backup and primary commercial gateway for pilots based at smaller strips like Compass Rose. RFD handles scheduled passenger service plus a substantial cargo operation anchored by UPS and FedEx, which makes it one of the most economically significant airports in downstate Illinois despite its relatively modest passenger terminal.
Is Compass Rose Airport related to a flight school or club?
Compass Rose Airport is a private-use facility; it is not affiliated with a public flight school, though the Rockford area has several flight training programs at nearby public airports.
What navigational significance does the name "Compass Rose" have in aviation?
The compass rose is printed on sectional aeronautical charts and airport ramp areas to indicate magnetic north directions, helping pilots orient their aircraft during taxiing and navigate using chart references.
How do pilots get weather information near Caledonia, Illinois?
The nearest official ASOS/AWOS stations are at Chicago Rockford International (RFD) and at Chicago Executive Airport (PWK); pilots should obtain full weather briefings from the FAA Aviation Weather Center before departure.
What airspace class applies to Compass Rose Airport?
The Caledonia area falls in Class E and Class G airspace away from Rockford's Class D and Class C shelves; pilots should review the Chicago sectional chart for exact airspace boundaries.
Compass Rose Airport Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Caledonia, Illinois.
| Name | Compass Rose Airport |
| Address | 1819 Rockton Road, Caledonia IL 61011 Map |
| Phone | (815) 389-1905 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Compass Rose Airport
Airports near Caledonia
Rock River Valley Aviation and the Rockford–Caledonia Flying Corridor
The Rock River Valley between Rockford and the Wisconsin border has long attracted private pilots seeking affordable land and uncongested skies. Compass Rose Airport is one of several private strips threading through Boone County and the northern fringes of Winnebago County where pilots enjoy the scenic Rock River valley terrain. Aircraft based in this area benefit from relatively calm wind patterns in summer, though northern Illinois winters bring challenging instrument meteorological conditions that demand current IFR ratings or careful VFR weather monitoring.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) continues to expand its commercial passenger service, having added new domestic routes in recent years to compete more effectively with Milwaukee and Chicago-area options. RFD's location directly off Interstate 90 makes it an easy 20-minute drive from Caledonia, giving Compass Rose Airport users a quick path to commercial connections when personal aircraft travel is not practical. The Rockford area also has a rich military aviation heritage, as the 182nd Airlift Wing of the Illinois Air National Guard is based at RFD, operating C-130H Hercules transport aircraft alongside commercial operations.