Poplar Grove Airport (C77) — Northern Illinois Aviation Hub with a Vintage Aircraft Museum
Poplar Grove Airport, officially designated C77 by the FAA, is one of northern Illinois's most vibrant general aviation airports, located in the village of Poplar Grove in Boone County approximately 10 miles northeast of Belvidere and 20 miles north of Rockford. What sets Poplar Grove apart from most small Illinois airports is the Poplar Grove Antique Airplane Farm Museum, a beloved collection of vintage and antique aircraft maintained by local aviation enthusiasts. The airport hosts fly-ins, airshows, and skydiving operations that draw pilots and aviation fans from across the Chicago metropolitan region and beyond.
Operated as a public-use general aviation airport, Poplar Grove provides services including fuel, tie-down, and hangar storage. Flight training in light sport aircraft is conducted at the field, contributing to the next generation of Illinois pilots. The airport sits within the Chicago sectional chart area, and pilots must remain attentive to the complex airspace environment created by the proximity of O'Hare Class B airspace, Rockford's Class C airspace, and the numerous temporary flight restrictions that periodically protect special events around the greater Chicago region. IDOT includes Poplar Grove in its state airport system plan as a general aviation reliever for the broader northern Illinois network.
What is the Poplar Grove Antique Airplane Farm Museum?
The museum is a collection of antique and vintage aircraft based at Poplar Grove Airport, open to aviation enthusiasts and featuring aircraft restorations, fly-ins, and historical aviation displays.
Does Poplar Grove Airport (C77) offer flight training?
Yes, light sport and private pilot training is available at Poplar Grove, and the airport hosts instructors and flight schools catering to students in Boone and McHenry counties.
Is skydiving conducted at Poplar Grove Airport?
Skydiving operations have been associated with the Poplar Grove area; pilots should check current NOTAMs for active parachute activity before transiting the area or landing at C77.
What fuel is available at Poplar Grove Airport?
100LL avgas is typically available at C77; pilots should verify current fuel availability through the AOPA Airport Directory or by contacting the FBO directly before planning a fuel stop.
How long is the main runway at Poplar Grove Airport?
Poplar Grove Airport features turf runways suitable for light general aviation aircraft; runway length information is available in current FAA/AOPA airport data, and pilots should confirm conditions before arrival.
Poplar Grove Airport Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Poplar Grove, Illinois.
| Name | Poplar Grove Airport |
| Address | 11619 Illinois 76, Poplar Grove IL 61065 Map |
| Phone | (815) 544-2300 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Poplar Grove Airport
Airports near Poplar Grove
Aviation Heritage and Community Flying at Poplar Grove
Poplar Grove Airport's enduring appeal stems from its combination of practical general aviation services and a genuine passion for aviation history. The antique aircraft museum gives it a character rarely found at small rural airports, transforming it from a mere operational facility into a cultural destination for pilots and their families. Fly-in breakfasts, formation flying clinics, and antique aircraft judging events have made C77 a beloved stop on the northern Illinois aviation calendar. The airport's turf runways also make it an accessible destination for tailwheel and antique aircraft that prefer softer surfaces over hard pavement.
Poplar Grove's location midway between Chicago and the Wisconsin border gives it strategic value as a fuel and rest stop for cross-country pilots transiting the upper Midwest. Commercial travelers from the Poplar Grove area typically drive to Chicago Rockford International (RFD) for domestic flights or to O'Hare (ORD) for international departures. Milwaukee Mitchell International (MKE) is approximately 60 miles north—a competitive option offering Southwest Airlines' extensive domestic network with notoriously low fares and rapid boarding processes that appeal to Boone County travelers.