Flightstar History
1978 – Present
Midstate Aviation, our original name, was founded in December of 1978 and operated out of a small 12’ x 60’ construction trailer. This office was short-lived and was upgraded a few months later.
January 15, 1979, first contract with the University of Illinois.
The first aircraft purchase was a 1975 Piper Aztec. This was used to start charter operations.
Obtained Part 135 Air Carrier Operating Certificate.
Became a Piper Aircraft dealer, 1979-1981.
Moved into the “Modular Office”, our base of operations for the next 10 years.
Voted Piper Aircraft dealer of the year.
Construction of Hangar 5 is completed; creating the General Aviation service department.
Hangar 5 Construction
The “DC Express” started operations to offer direct flights to Washington D.C.
Changed Corporate name to AVISTAR AIR CENTER.
Began fueling operation for the entire airfield.
Operated our first jet aircraft, a new Cessna Citation S/II, N87TH.
The University of Illinois completes construction of the new Commercial Airline Terminal. This move opened up ramp space for Flightstar operations.
Changed name to FLIGHTSTAR CORPORATION.
Started overnight maintenance on the Airline Terminal Ramp for Simmons Airlines (American Eagle). Work started on the Shorts 360 and later transitioned to the ATR series.
The current corporate terminal building is completed, concluding 11 years of operations out of modular homes.
FBO Construction
Started using Avfuel as our fuel provider.
Started a contract with the Village of Rantoul for FBO services at the former Chanute Air Force Base. This marks the only time Flightstar has operated multiple locations.
The University of Illinois vacates Hangar 2 with the end of its SATS operations. Flightstar acquired, refurbished, and moved the General Aviation service department into Hangar 2.
After a visit to the University of Illinois, President Bill Clinton’s Airforce One became stuck in the mud while taxiing out.
Complete renovation of Hangar 3 and the start of nightly indoor airline maintenance.
Flightstar allows the contract for FBO services with the Village of Rantoul to expire, returning to a single site FBO company.
Flight training comes to an end after 20 years.
The Flightstar Airline Division transitions from the ATR to the Embraer Regional Jet for nightly maintenance.
The renovation of Soldier Field in Chicago moved the 2002 season of the Chicago Bears to Champaign. The season’s highlight was the Monday night match-up between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears. We welcomed over 120 aircraft that evening!
Started construction of Hangar 8, a 125’ x 200’ maintenance and storage facility. This becomes the new primary General Aviation maintenance facility.
Hangar 8 Construction
After the completion of Hangar 8, Hangars 2, 3, and 5, along with 8, made one large connected maintenance facility.
Open house in conjunction with Bombardier Aircraft featuring a Global 5000, Challenger 300, and a single Lear 45. This single event led to the local sale of 3 Learjets and 2 Global Expresses operated by Flightstar.
Hangar 9 was constructed to add 25,000 sq/ft of additional hangar space for the growing fleet.
Hangar 9 Construction
The Start of an engine-changing program for American Eagle on their Embraer 145 series. This program continued through 2023 and changed out a staggering 1,026 engines. Most changes occurred in a single overnight shift, ensuring uninterrupted airline service the following morning.
Expansion of our Airline Division and Parts Department. This addition adds over 8,000 sq/ft of office and parts storage.
Became a Bombardier Authorized Service Facility for the Bombardier Learjet 45/75.
Became a Honeywell Authorized Service Center for the TFE731 and Honeywell APU.
Opening of the structures department.
The acquisition of Bloomington Avionics is completed, expanding our Avionics Department staff and equipment.
Hosted our first of two Honor Flights, these flights of World War II veterans traveled to their memorial in Washington D.C. for the day. Flightstar hosted an amazing welcome-back party with thousands of community members!
The newly created interior department expanded into a new shop space. This 4,500 sq/ft space expanded capabilities with a component paint booth, sanding booth, foam, and sewing stations.
Completion of H-10, a 150′ x 210′ maintenance hangar. Built in between the existing Hangars 3, 5, and 9 that is used primarily for overnight airline maintenance.
Hangar 10 Construction
Willard Airport had an impromptu airshow as the U.S. Airforce Thunderbirds made a fuel stop at Flightstar.
Expansion of the FBO / Corporate offices to add 5 additional offices and storage space.
Opening of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection General Aviation Facility. This User Fee Port of Entry is managed by Flightstar as a way to increase easy of entry for private aviation aircraft traveling from abroad.
U.S. Customs GAF Construction
Opening of our dedicated Non-Destructive Testing shop.
Airline Division completes their 1,000th engine change of the Embraer 145 series.
Remodel of H-2 lobby and Avionics to create an 8,000 sq/ft addition with expanded locker and break rooms. This new space added 7 additional offices, a large training room, a new avionics lab, and additional back shop space for H2.
Hangar 2 Remodel
Addtional storage space created to accomidate the MRO shop demands.
The last scheduled Embraer 145 rolls out of H-10 marking the end of a 22-year maintenance program. Scheduled airline maintenance is now exclusively performed for the Embraer 170 series.
