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KCAC Aviation Celebrates 60 Years as a Trusted Aviation Partner

Olathe, Kansas — May 28, 2026 — KCAC Aviation is proud to celebrate its 60^th anniversary, marking six decades of growth, service, and commitment to the aviation community. 

Founded on May 16, 1966, at Johnson County Executive Airport (KOJC) as Erhart Aviation, the company began with a vision to provide exceptional aircraft sales and aviation services to the Kansas City region. Shortly after opening, the company became one of the first authorized Piper Aircraft dealers in the country and evolved into Kansas City Piper before eventually becoming Kansas City Aviation Center — now widely recognized as KCAC Aviation. 

As general aviation expanded during the 1970s and 1980s, KCAC Aviation grew alongside the industry, broadening its capabilities beyond aircraft sales to include maintenance, avionics, charter operations, aircraft management, and fixed-base operation (FBO) services. Over the decades, KCAC Aviation expanded its footprint at Johnson County Executive Airport through the construction of multiple facilities and aircraft hangars, evolving into one of the Midwest’s premier full-service aviation organizations. 

A pivotal moment in the company’s history came in 1991, when KCAC Aviation became part of the Peterson Manufacturing Corporate Group, headquartered in Grandview, Missouri. This acquisition provided long-term stability and resources that helped position KCAC Aviation for continued expansion, while preserving the company’s strong customer-focused culture and commitment to aviation excellence. 

Another major milestone followed in 2000 when KCAC Aviation became an authorized sales and service center for Pilatus Aircraft. Today, KCAC Aviation continues to represent the Pilatus brand through both its headquarters in Olathe and its Pilatus sales office located at DuPage Airport in West Chicago, Illinois, extending the company’s reach and customer support throughout the Midwest. 

Now employing 117 team members, KCAC Aviation serves customers throughout the Midwest and beyond while remaining grounded in the values established in the company’s early years: integrity, customer service, and a passion for aviation. 

Earlier this month, KCAC Aviation commemorated its anniversary with a special celebration that brought together past and present employees to honor the company’s history and recognize the people who helped shape its success over the last six decades. 

“This milestone belongs to the employees, customers, and partners who have made KCAC Aviation what it is today,” said KCAC Aviation General Manager Tony Mateer. “We deeply appreciate the support and investment from our parent company Peterson Manufacturing and we remain committed to building a culture where our people thrive and our customers always come first.” 

As KCAC Aviation looks toward the future, the company remains focused on investing in its people, expanding its capabilities, and delivering exceptional aviation experiences for generations to come. 

About KCAC Aviation 

KCAC Aviation is a full-service aviation company headquartered at Johnson County Executive Airport in Olathe, Kansas. Services include aircraft sales, charter, maintenance, avionics, aircraft management, and fixed-base operations (FBO). KCAC Aviation is an authorized dealer and service center for both Pilatus Aircraft and Piper Aircraft, with an additional Pilatus sales office located at DuPage Airport in West Chicago, Illinois. 

Media Contact:

Carrie Gicante

KCAC Aviation, Director of Marketing

Johnson County Executive Airport (OJC)

15325 South Pflumm Rd., Olathe, KS 66062

Direct: 913.324.1214

cgicante@kcac.com  | www.kcac.com

KCAC Aviation Expands with New 30,000-Square-Foot Maintenance Hangar

Olathe, Kansas – August 27, 2025 – KCAC Aviation is proud to announce the opening of its new 30,000-
square-foot maintenance hangar at Johnson County Executive Airport (KOJC). This new facility doubles
KCAC’s service capacity, allowing the company to support and maintain the growing fleet of Pilatus and
Piper aircraft across its sales region.

“The addition of a second dedicated maintenance hangar gives our team the space and resources they need
to complete inspections and overhauls more efficiently, which means improved workflow and less downtime
for our customers,” said Preston Estes, Director of Maintenance for KCAC Aviation.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on August 13, 2025, brought together county officials, airport
commissioners, industry partners, customers and KCAC team members. General Manager Tony Mateer,
along with KCAC’s A&P maintenance technicians, cut the ceremonial ribbon—recognizing the team’s hard
work and dedication and celebrating a facility that is truly their own.

“This hangar is more than additional space—it’s an investment in our people, our customers and the future
of KCAC,” said Mateer. “With a facility of this size, we can support Pilatus and Piper owners more efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety that our customers and employees deserve. It’s an exciting milestone for our maintenance department and the entire KCAC team.”

The new facility marks one of the largest expansions in KCAC’s nearly 60-year history, enabling the
company to streamline aircraft maintenance services, accommodate larger projects and enhance customer
support.

About KCAC Aviation
Founded in 1966, KCAC Aviation is a full-service aviation company based at Johnson County Executive
Airport (KOJC) in Olathe, Kansas with an additional Pilatus sales office at DuPage Airport in West Chicago,
Illinois (KDPA). In addition to being a factory-authorized Pilatus and Piper sales and service center, KCAC
also provides avionics service, aircraft parts, charter and management, as well as FBO services. With nearly
six decades of experience, KCAC is committed to delivering the highest levels of safety, service and support
for aircraft owners and operators across the region.

Media Contact:
Carrie Gicante
Director of Marketing
Email: cgicante@kcac.com
Office: 913.324.1214
www.kcac.com

Olathe, KS – August 19, 2025 – KCAC Aviation is proud to announce the appointment of Preston Estes as its new Director of Maintenance. With over three decades of aviation maintenance experience and deep ties to the Pilatus PC-12 program, Preston brings extensive technical expertise and proven leadership to KCAC’s expanding maintenance operations. 

A native of Illinois, Preston began his aviation journey at Southern Illinois University, earning an Associate of Applied Science in Aviation Maintenance Technology and receiving his A&P license in 1992, followed by his Inspection Authorization (IA) in 1995. He started working on Piper PA-46 aircraft before moving into Pilatus PC-12 maintenance.  His connection to the Pilatus PC-12 dates back to the aircraft’s U.S. debut in 1994, when he was responsible for maintaining the first PC-12 delivered stateside at a Pilatus and Piper service center in Central Illinois. 

Preston went on to serve as a PC-12 field service engineer and Pilatus technical representative, where he traveled the world supporting the PC-12 fleet and strengthening relationships across the Pilatus network. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Service at Skytech, Inc., a factory-authorized Pilatus and Piper aircraft sales and service center.

“Preston brings an exceptional depth of experience to our maintenance team and a strong dedication to putting the customer first,” said Tony Mateer, General Manager of KCAC Aviation. “We are thrilled to welcome him to KCAC and look forward to the leadership and insight he will provide.” 

 KCAC Aviation Breaks Ground on New Aircraft Maintenance Hangar in Olathe, Kansas 

OLATHE, KS (September 3, 2024) – KCAC Aviation, the factory authorized dealer for both Pilatus and Piper aircraft in the Midwest, proudly held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of construction on its new aircraft maintenance hangar at Johnson County Executive Airport (KOJC) in Olathe, Kansas. This nearly 30,000-square-foot facility will significantly enhance KCAC Aviation’s ability to service and maintain the growing number of Pilatus and Piper aircraft throughout KCAC’s sales region. 

The groundbreaking event, held on August 23, 2024, was attended by local airport commission and county officials, as well as industry partners and KCAC Aviation team members. This new facility marks a significant milestone in the company’s 58-year history as it will double KCAC’s maintenance capacity and streamline the wide range of maintenance services that are offered, from routine inspections to major overhaul repairs. 

“Our maintenance team has grown by 50% since 2021,” said Bill Lento, Director of Maintenance for KCAC Aviation. “With this expansion, our maintenance and avionics teams will be able to work on more projects at once, which in turn will mean better service for our customers and better opportunities for our employees to grow.” 

The new maintenance hangar is expected to be fully operational by summer 2025. This expansion will provide additional space for aircraft repair and maintenance and will create new job opportunities. Having a second hangar dedicated to maintenance reflects KCAC Aviation’s ongoing investment in the future of general aviation and its dedication to meeting the needs of its expanding customer base. 

“Breaking ground on our new aircraft maintenance hangar represents a pivotal moment for KCAC Aviation,” said Tony Mateer, General Manager for KCAC Aviation. “It’s not just about expanding our facilities and reducing downtime; it’s about enhancing our capabilities and allowing us to better serve our clients. We’re excited about the opportunities this will bring for both our KCAC team members as well as our customers.” 

Olathe, KS – (4/5/23) KCAC Aviation was honored with two distinguished awards from Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd., during the Swiss aircraft manufacturer’s annual sales meeting in Nashville, TN. KCAC received both the Pilatus Class Center Spirit Award as well as the Pilatus Sales Achievement Award.

The Pilatus Class Center Spirit Award recognizes the organization that fully embodies Pilatus Class attitudes and behaviors in every aspect of their operations, from sales and marketing all the way through to pilot training. The recipient is chosen not only for their commitment to representing Pilatus, but also for creating a positive experience for their customers.

The Pilatus Sales Achievement Award was presented to KCAC for their outstanding sales performance in 2022. KCAC earned this honor by having the highest volume of delivered aircraft of any worldwide Pilatus Authorized Sales Center.

“We are pleased to recognize KCAC Aviation for their outstanding sales performance as well as their commitment to consistently demonstrating the values and principles that define Pilatus Class,” said Thomas Bosshard, President and CEO of Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd. “KCAC’s team consistently goes above and beyond to provide Pilatus customers with the highest level of service and support, and this award is a testament to their hard work and dedication.”

“I am thrilled and honored that KCAC Aviation was chosen as the recipient of these two prestigious awards from Pilatus Business Aircraft,” said Tony Mateer, KCAC’s General Manager. “These awards are special to us because they recognize the contributions made by every member of our team. We take great pride in our partnership with Pilatus, and we look forward to continuing to provide our customers with the best service and support possible.”

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About KCAC Aviation
KCAC Aviation is a Pilatus Authorized Center providing sales and service throughout a nine-state territory, which includes Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. Founded in 1966, KCAC offers a complete lineup of FBO services at its headquarters at Johnson County Executive Airport (KOJC) in Olathe, KS. KCAC also has a Pilatus Sales Office at DuPage Airport (KDPA) in West Chicago, IL, along with Pilatus PC-12 Authorized Service Centers at Eagle Creek Aviation in Indianapolis, IN (KEYE) and Premier Jet Center in Eden Prairie, MN (KFCM).

KCAC Media Contact:
Carrie Gicante, KCAC Aviation, Director of Marketing
913-324-1214; Carrie Gicante

Eagle Creek Aviation, which is part of the Jet Access family, is now fully certified to work on all Pilatus PC-12 models, including the new PC-12 NGX, at their Eagle Creek Airport (KEYE) location. They join Premier Jet Center in Eden Prairie, MN as a satellite PC-12 maintenance and repair center based within KCAC’s Midwest Pilatus territory.

“The addition of Eagle Creek as a Pilatus Authorized PC-12 Service Center demonstrates our commitment to delivering top-quality service throughout our territory,” said Tony Mateer, KCAC General Manager. “It was important for us to partner with a center that shares our commitment to providing excellent customer service. We’re excited to welcome Eagle Creek to the Pilatus Authorized Service Center Network.”

“We appreciate this opportunity to work with Pilatus and KCAC to better serve PC-12 owners in Indiana and the surrounding area,” said Scott Dillon, President of Maintenance at Eagle Creek Aviation. “One of our company’s primary goals is to ensure that every aircraft we work on is as safe and flight-ready as possible, and that’s why we treat each customer’s aircraft as if it were our own.”

In the four decades that Eagle Creek Aviation has been in business, the company has established a reputation for providing their customers with exceptional aircraft maintenance and repairs. Eagle Creek’s easy-to-access location in Indianapolis should ensure high-quality aircraft care for Pilatus owners and operators in Indiana and throughout the Upper Midwest.

“We join with KCAC in welcoming Eagle Creek Aviation to the Pilatus Authorized Service Center Network,” said Thomas Bosshard, President and CEO of Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd. “As a global leader in the aviation industry, Pilatus appreciates how important convenient access to top-quality service can be to our owners and operators. The addition of Eagle Creek in Indianapolis is another example of our commitment to bringing ‘Pilatus Class’ service closer to our customers worldwide.”

About KCAC Aviation:
KCAC Aviation is a Pilatus Authorized Center providing sales and service throughout a nine-state territory, which includes Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. Founded in 1966, KCAC offers a complete lineup of FBO services at its headquarters at Johnson County Executive Airport (KOJC) in Olathe, KS. KCAC also has a Pilatus Sales Office at DuPage Airport (KDPA) in West Chicago, IL, along with Pilatus PC-12 maintenance and repair centers at Eagle Creek Aviation in Indianapolis, IN and Premier Jet Center in Eden Prairie, MN.

KCAC Media Contact:
Carrie Gicante, KCAC Aviation, Director of Marketing
913-324-1214; Carrie Gicante

Eagle Creek Aviation:
Eagle Creek
317-293-6935; MXSales

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Olathe, KS (April 1, 2021) – KCAC Aviation is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Blair to the newly created position of Client Relations Manager. In this role, Blair will serve as the primary point of contact for KCAC’s Pilatus and Piper Aircraft customers following the delivery of an aircraft.

As an aviation industry veteran with an extensive background in aviation maintenance and customer support, Blair will provide the highest level of personal care to KCAC’s customers. He will ensure that all customer communications are handled in a timely manner in order to provide a seamless aircraft ownership experience.

A United States Air Force veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm, Blair began his career as a structural repair technician at Lockheed Martin. Over the past two decades, he has served in a variety of aviation-related roles, where he honed his skills in field service, trouble shooting, and technical support.

Most recently, he worked as a senior field service engineer for Honda Aircraft Co., in North Carolina, where his duties included managing post-delivery communications with customers. As a certified A&P Technician, Blair has completed multiple aviation training courses, including repair, maintenance and customer service.

Media Release:
OLATHE, KS (March 11, 2021) – KCAC Aviation announced today it has appointed Arapahoe Aero in Englewood, CO, as a Piper Factory Authorized Satellite Service Center for Colorado and western Kansas.

“We’re excited for the opportunity to have Arapahoe Aero as part of the Piper Authorized Service Center network,” said Mark Riley, General Manager of KCAC Aviation. “They have developed an excellent reputation over the years for providing quality service to their customers. The synergy between our two organizations and the emphasis that we both place on elevating the customer experience will reinforce our commitment to providing outstanding service and support to our Piper customers.”

“Arapahoe Aero has been providing aircraft maintenance on single, multi-engine piston and light turbine aircraft since 1984,” said Scott Utz, President of Arapahoe Aero. “We value the relationships that we have built over the years with our customers, our employees and with partners like KCAC Aviation. They have a long-standing history with Piper Aircraft, and we look forward to working with them to expand our services within the Piper Aircraft community in Colorado.”

During a recent expansion for KCAC Aviation, Colorado joined Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma as part of KCAC’s Piper sales and service territory. This addition of a Piper Factory Authorized Satellite Service Center located at Centennial Airport (KAPA) near Denver will allow customers convenient access for maintaining their aircraft at a facility that is well respected within the aviation community.

“We are delighted that KCAC Aviation has chosen Arapahoe Aero as an authorized satellite service center,” said Ron Gunnarson, Piper Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Customer Support. “Making sure that our Piper customers have convenient access to a service and support network is important to us, and given Arapahoe Aero’s considerable experience working on Piper Aircraft, this will certainly benefit our customers in Colorado and western Kansas.”

KCAC Aviation is a full-service aviation company headquartered at Johnson County Executive Airport (KOJC) in Olathe, KS, with a Pilatus Sales Office at DuPage Airport (KDPA) in West

Chicago, IL. Dave DeWalt, an aviation industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience, manages new and pre-owned Piper Aircraft sales for KCAC.

“As a Piper Aircraft dealer since 1966, we understand the importance of service beyond the sale,” DeWalt said. “With the growth of our territory, we want to make sure that we do not lose sight of providing our Piper customers with an exceptional ownership experience. We are grateful that our customers have trusted KCAC with their Piper aircraft year after year, and we are confident that Arapahoe Aero will meet and exceed those same standards of excellence.”

For information regarding Piper sales, please contact Dave DeWalt at 816-863-8600 or ddewalt@kcac.com.
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KCAC Aviation: 913-324-1250
Arapahoe Aero Maintenance and Parts: 303-799-8386 Arapahoe Aero Avionics: 303-799-6289

About KCAC Aviation:
KCAC, which opened in 1966 as KC Piper, is a full-service aviation company with headquarters at Johnson County Executive Airport (KOJC) in Olathe, KS, a Pilatus Sales Office at DuPage Airport (KDPA) in West Chicago, IL, and now a Piper Authorized Satellite Service Center at Centennial Airport (KAPA) in Englewood, CO. KCAC is a Factory Authorized Sales and Service Center for both Pilatus and Piper aircraft in the Midwest. KCAC’s Piper territory includes Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

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