[AFreeBird]

Okay, why no radio? I mean these days they should be plentiful and relatively inexpensive.

I get that it’s a homebuilt and flown from a grassy strip, and not having a radio out in bum puck Iowa may not be a big deal, but flying around busy airspace like Chicago without a radio?

Seems nuts to me.

[Ol' Dan Tucker]

Okay, why no radio? I mean these days they should be plentiful and relatively inexpensive.

Because they aren't legally required unless you're flying into Class D or higher airspace.

[Ol' Dan Tucker]

I get that it’s a homebuilt and flown from a grassy strip, and not having a radio out in bum puck Iowa may not be a big deal, but flying around busy airspace like Chicago without a radio?

I got curious so I decided to check to see exactly what Chicago's Class B airspace looked like.

Here's a link to a google map of her city, South Barrington, IL. (See: South Barrington, IL)

Here's a link to a sectional chart of the Chicago Class B airspace. (See: Chicago Class B) The class B is defined as the heavy dark blue circle surrounding O'Hare

If you go due west from Chicago, you can see the cut-out in the circle. That's where South Barrington is located. The class B doesn't extend from ground level. Instead, the airspace is defined as an upside-down wedding cake.

So, if she were flying below a certain altitude and remained below the class B, then it looks like she was perfectly legal, except for the running afowl of the TFR.

[US_MilitaryRules]

Nothing and I mean NOTHING is inexpensive in the airplane industry. Av-Gas at my airport is $5.79 a gallon.