KCAC Aviation offers the convenience of charter travel

In today’s competitive business world, spending extra time traveling often costs both time and money — sometimes lots of time and money.

However, one Olathe company offers clients the convenience of traveling where they want to go, when they want to go, and without all the hassles of commercial travel.

KCAC Aviation, established in 1966, offers charter flights as well as other services targeted to small to mid-sized businesses needing to reach beyond the 500 cities commercial airlines serve. KCAC Aviation General Manager Angelo Fiataruolo said his company could fly to 5,000 cities on the schedule its passengers want.

“We probably fly somewhere in the area of 200 flight hours a month, which is a lot,” said Fiataruolo. “For example, if you want to get to Cedar Rapids, (Iowa), it may be a two-day venture driving, (but) with charter you will be there within in an hour and a half, conduct business and be home that night for your kids’ soccer match.”

Fiataruolo said KCAC is the largest charter provider in the Kansas City metropolitan area. It has 70 employees working at its Olathe site, including 12 mechanics, and an additional 25 at its St. Louis location. KCAC Aviation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Peterson Manufacturing Co., based in Grandview.

Q: In addition to chartering, what other things does KCAC Aviation offer?

“We sell airplanes representing Piper and Pilatus,” Fiataruolo said. “At any point in time we have $10 million to $20 million in aircraft inventory for sale with about a dozen airplanes as part of our active charter fleet. … Aircraft sales is the largest component of our business.”

On average, Fiataruolo said KCAC sells 20 to 25 new and used aircraft annually.

The planes in the charter fleet are owned by local businesses that engage KCAC to act as their flight department.

KCAC manages the planes, arranges flights for the owners and charters the planes to third parties. Planes are housed within the 120,000 square feet of hangar and office space at Johnson County Executive Airport.

Besides airplane sales and charter flight service, KCAC offers aircraft maintenance, fuel sales and other aviation services, including providing ground power and aircraft cleaning. Fiataruolo said KCAC offers a full array of concierge services including courtesy vehicles, rental cars, catering, an executive and pilot lobbies and the ability to make hotel reservations.

KCAC’s customers run the gamut from law firms to construction companies as well as entrepreneurs.

Q: How do you charge for chartering aircraft?

“We charge by the aircraft and it is a certain rate per flight hour ranging from $1,500 for a plane that will accommodate seven to eight to $3,000 for a jet,” Fiataruolo said.

While those who charter flights can avoid long security lines as well as potential delays for planes and flight crews stuck in other locations, KCAC does have rules.

“We are regulated by the FAA and reviewed and rated by an outside rating company as to safety and rules,” Fiataruolo said. “We have more than a dozen full-time pilots on the payroll and the maintenance is all done here. … It is all controlled by the highest standards.”

Q: How has the business changed since its beginnings?

KCAC began as Piper distributor in the mid-1960s.

“We added Pilatus in the year 2000,” said Fiataruolo, himself a trained pilot who was running Pilatus at the time.

Fiataruolo joined KCAC in 2002.

“We have more than doubled in size then what we were in 2002. … And we have had the longest run of profitability,” he said.

Fiataruolo credits increased that profitability to several moves, including the elimination of its flight school and performing outside engine repair work.

“We tightened all that up,” he said. “It was not contributing to our bottom line. … We outsource the things that we are not as good at and focus on what we do well and that is charting and selling airplanes.”

Q: What’s the future for KCAC?

“I see us maybe expanding charter activity by a fair amount adding bigger airplanes and going to other airports,” Fiataruolo said. “This year may be the best year for KCAC since I have been here. Aircraft sales will be higher than last year, maintenance will be higher than last year and charter will be close. … I see in 2025 that we will be double the size we are now.”

This story was originally published May 17, 2016 at 10:03 AM with the headline "KCAC Aviation offers the convenience of charter travel."