Nonstop flight route between Atwater, California, United States and Chicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling, Illinois, United States:
Departure Airport:
(37°22'50"N by 120°34'5"W)
Arrival Airport:
(42°6'51"N by 87°54'6"W)
Distance from MER to PWK:
1,754.81 miles (2,824.08 km)
Share this route:
Jump to:
- About this route
- MER Airport Information
- PWK Airport Information
- Facts about MER
- Facts about PWK
- Map of Nearest Airports to MER
- List of Nearest Airports to MER
- Map of Furthest Airports from MER
- List of Furthest Airports from MER
- Map of Nearest Airports to PWK
- List of Nearest Airports to PWK
- Map of Furthest Airports from PWK
- List of Furthest Airports from PWK
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between Castle Airport (MER), Atwater, California, United States and Chicago Executive Airport (PWK), Chicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling, Illinois, United States would travel a Great Circle distance of 1,755 miles (or 2,824 kilometers).
A Great Circle is the shortest distance between 2 points on a sphere. Because most world maps are flat (but the Earth is round), the route of the shortest distance between 2 points on the Earth will often appear curved when viewed on a flat map, especially for long distances. If you were to simply draw a straight line on a flat map and measure a very long distance, it would likely be much further than if you were to lay a string between those two points on a globe. Because of the relatively short distance between Castle Airport and Chicago Executive Airport, the route shown on this map most likely still appears to be a straight line.
Departure Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | MER / KMER |
| Airport Name: | Castle Airport |
| Location: | Atwater, California, United States |
| GPS Coordinates: | 37°22'50"N by 120°34'5"W |
| Operator/Owner: | Merced County Department of Commerce, Aviation, and Economic Development |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 191 feet (58 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 1 |
| View all routes: | Routes from MER |
| More Information: | MER Maps & Info |
Arrival Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | PWK / KPWK |
| Airport Name: | Chicago Executive Airport |
| Location: | Chicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling, Illinois, United States |
| GPS Coordinates: | 42°6'51"N by 87°54'6"W |
| Area Served: | Chicago |
| Operator/Owner: | City of Prospect Heights and Village of Wheeling |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 647 feet (197 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 3 |
| View all routes: | Routes from PWK |
| More Information: | PWK Maps & Info |
Facts about Castle Airport (MER):
- Castle Airport (MER) currently has only 1 runway.
- Because of Castle Airport's relatively low elevation of 191 feet, planes can take off or land at Castle Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
- The EPA currently has this base listed on their database due to the bulk wastes such as solvents, oils, fuels, and sludges which were disposed in pits at landfills around the base until 1977.
- The furthest airport from Castle Airport (MER) is Tôlanaro Airport (FTU), which is located 11,312 miles (18,204 kilometers) away in Tôlanaro, Madagascar.
- The closest airport to Castle Airport (MER) is Merced Regional Airport (MCE), which is located only 7 miles (12 kilometers) SSE of MER.
- Castle Air Museum is 500 yards away, displaying over 50 restored World War II, Korean War, and Cold War era aircraft.
Facts about Chicago Executive Airport (PWK):
- Tenants of the airport include two national fixed base operators, Atlantic Aviation and Signature Flight Support, who provide fueling and handling for transient aircraft and a significant portion of the locally based aircraft.
- The furthest airport from Chicago Executive Airport (PWK) is Margaret River Airport (MGV), which is located 11,069 miles (17,813 kilometers) away in Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia.
- The airport opened in 1925 as Gauthier's Flying Field.
- The closest airport to Chicago Executive Airport (PWK) is Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), which is located only 9 miles (15 kilometers) S of PWK.
- Chicago Executive Airport (PWK) has 3 runways.
- Because of Chicago Executive Airport's relatively low elevation of 647 feet, planes can take off or land at Chicago Executive Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 7.26 miles (11.68 km) SSE | Merced Regional Airport (MCE) | Merced, California, United States |     |
| 2 | 27.12 miles (43.65 km) NW | Modesto City-County Airport (MOD) | Modesto, California, United States | |
| 3 | 27.51 miles (44.27 km) SW | Los Banos Municipal Airport (LSN) | Los Banos, California, United States | |
| 4 | 29.78 miles (47.92 km) W | NASA Crows Landing Airport (NRC) | Crows Landing, California, United States | |
| 5 | 36.91 miles (59.40 km) SE | Madera Municipal Airport (MAE) | Madera, California, United States | |
| 6 | 45.69 miles (73.53 km) N | Columbia Airport (COA) | Columbia, California, United States | |
| 7 | 51.03 miles (82.13 km) NW | Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK) | Stockton, California, United States | |
| 8 | 57.32 miles (92.24 km) SW | Hollister Municipal Airport (HLI) | Hollister, California, United States | |
| 9 | 60.88 miles (97.98 km) SE | Fresno Chandler Executive AirportChandler Municipal Airport (Old) (FCH) | Fresno, California, United States | |
| 10 | 62.71 miles (100.91 km) SE | Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) | Fresno, California, United States | |
| 11 | 68.82 miles (110.76 km) W | Reid-Hillview Airport of Santa Clara County (RHV) | San Jose, California, United States | |
| 12 | 71.93 miles (115.77 km) WNW | Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK) | Livermore, California, United States | |
| 13 | 73.96 miles (119.02 km) WSW | Watsonville Municipal Airport (WVI) | Watsonville, California, United States | |
| 14 | 74.75 miles (120.29 km) W | Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) | San Jose, California, United States | |
| 15 | 75.76 miles (121.93 km) SW | Salinas Municipal AirportSalinas Army Air Base (SNS) | Salinas, California, United States | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,311.72 miles (18,204.41 km) SE | Tôlanaro Airport (FTU) | Tôlanaro, Madagascar | |
| 2 | 11,301.64 miles (18,188.18 km) SSE | Pierrefonds Airport (ZSE) | Saint-Pierre, Réunion | |
| 3 | 11,273.49 miles (18,142.87 km) SSE | Roland Garros Airport (RUN) | St Denis, Réunion, France | |
| 4 | 11,260.93 miles (18,122.66 km) S | Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) | Plaisance, Mauritius | |
| 5 | 11,205.02 miles (18,032.69 km) SE | Ampanihy Airport (AMP) | Ampanihy, Madagascar | |
| 6 | 11,196.39 miles (18,018.79 km) SSW | Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport (RRG) | Rodrigues Island, Mauritius | |
| 7 | 11,137.28 miles (17,923.67 km) SSE | Mananjary Airport (MNJ) | Mananjary, Madagascar | |
| 8 | 11,111.96 miles (17,882.92 km) SE | Fianarantsoa Airport (WFI) | Fianarantsoa, Madagascar | |
| 9 | 11,011.03 miles (17,720.49 km) SE | Manja Airport (MJA) | Manja, Menabe, Madagascar | |
| 10 | 11,008.37 miles (17,716.22 km) SE | Andavadoaka Airport (DVD) | Andavadoaka, Toliara province, Atsimo-Andrefana region, Madagascar | |
| 11 | 10,993.21 miles (17,691.82 km) SE | Morombe Airport (MXM) | Morombe, Madagascar | |
| 12 | 10,972.89 miles (17,659.11 km) SSE | Toamasino Airport (TMM) | Toamasina, Madagascar | |
| 13 | 10,963.56 miles (17,644.10 km) SSE | Ivato International Airport (TNR) | Antananarivo, Madagascar | |
| 14 | 10,945.21 miles (17,614.56 km) SE | Miandrivazo Airport (ZVA) | Miandrivazo, Madagascar | |
| 15 | 10,920.84 miles (17,575.35 km) SE | Belo sur Tsiribihina Airport (BMD) | Belo sur Tsiribihina, Madagascar | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 9.37 miles (15.08 km) S | Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| 2 | 21.35 miles (34.37 km) N | Waukegan National Airport (UGN) | Chicago / Waukegan, Illinois, United States | |
| 3 | 22.84 miles (36.76 km) SW | DuPage Airport (DPA) | West Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| 4 | 23.93 miles (38.51 km) SSE | Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| 5 | 33.29 miles (53.57 km) N | Kenosha Regional Airport (ENW) | Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States | |
| 6 | 36.43 miles (58.62 km) SSW | Lewis University Airport (LOT) | Chicago / Romeoville, Illinois, United States | |
| 7 | 37.80 miles (60.84 km) SW | Chicago/Aurora Municipal Airport (AUZ) | Aurora, Illinois, United States | |
| 8 | 42.61 miles (68.58 km) SE | Gary/Chicago International Airport (GYY) | Gary, Indiana (near Chicago), United States | |
| 9 | 43.55 miles (70.09 km) SSW | Joliet Regional Airport (JOT) | Joliet, Illinois, United States | |
| 10 | 44.88 miles (72.22 km) N | John H. Batten Airport (RAC) | Racine, Wisconsin, United States | |
| 11 | 57.56 miles (92.63 km) N | General Mitchell International AirportMitchell Field (MKE) | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | |
| 12 | 61.49 miles (98.96 km) W | Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) | Rockford, Illinois, United States | |
| 13 | 62.39 miles (100.41 km) ESE | Michigan City Municipal Airport (MGC) | Michigan City, Indiana, United States | |
| 14 | 64.84 miles (104.36 km) SE | Porter County Regional Airport (VPZ) | Valparaiso, Indiana, United States | |
| 15 | 66.28 miles (106.66 km) NNW | Waukesha County Airport (UES) | Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,068.74 miles (17,813.36 km) WSW | Margaret River Airport (MGV) | Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 2 | 11,045.29 miles (17,775.63 km) WSW | Busselton Regional Airport (BQB) | Busselton, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 3 | 11,029.17 miles (17,749.68 km) WSW | Manjimup Airport (MJP) | Manjimup, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 4 | 11,020.49 miles (17,735.71 km) WSW | Bunbury Airport (BUY) | Bunbury, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 5 | 10,974.65 miles (17,661.94 km) WSW | Rottnest Airport (RTS) | Rottnest Island, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 6 | 10,968.23 miles (17,651.61 km) W | Albany Airport (ALH) | Albany, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 7 | 10,961.86 miles (17,641.35 km) WSW | Jandakot Airport (JAD) | Jandakot, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 8 | 10,951.52 miles (17,624.72 km) WSW | Perth Airport (PER) | Perth, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 9 | 10,934.47 miles (17,597.28 km) WSW | Katanning Airport (KNI) | Katanning, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 10 | 10,926.51 miles (17,584.47 km) WSW | Jurien Bay Airport (JUR) | Jurien Bay, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 11 | 10,874.64 miles (17,500.99 km) WSW | Geraldton Airport (GET) | Geraldton, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 12 | 10,842.14 miles (17,448.69 km) WSW | Kalbarri Airport (KAX) | Kalbarri, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 13 | 10,833.27 miles (17,434.42 km) WSW | Morawa Airport (MWB) | Morawa, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 14 | 10,823.23 miles (17,418.26 km) WSW | Mullewa Airport (MXU) | Mullewa, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 15 | 10,781.52 miles (17,351.13 km) SW | Shark Bay Airport (MJK) | Monkey Mia, Western Australia, Australia | |