Flightstar History

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.

February, purchase of Piper Aztec for future use in charter operations.

March 28^th Obtained Part 135 Air Carrier Operating Certificate.

Moved into the “Modular Office”, our base of operations for the next 10 years.

Voted the 1980, Piper Aircraft dealer of the year.

Hangar 5 is completed creating the General Aviation Serve Department.

The “DC Express” started operations to offer direct flights to Washington D.C.

The Express operated from 82-83, until Ozark Airlines began Washington DC service.

Changed corporate name to AVISTAR AIR CENTER.

Operated our first jet aircraft, a new Cessna Citation S/II, N87TH.

The University of Illinois completed construction of the new Commercial Airline Terminal, opening up ramp space for Flightstar operations.

Changed company name to The Flightstar Corporation due to a similarly named company in the area.

The current corporate terminal building is completed, concluding 11 years of operations out of modular homes.

Started a long term relationship with Avfuel as our sole 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 Air Force One became stuck in the mud while taxiing out.

Complete renovation of Hangar 3 and the start of nightly indoor airline maintenance.

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 moved the Chicago Bears 2002 season to Champaign. The highlight was the Monday Night matchup between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears, welcoming over 120 aircraft.

Started construction of Hangar 8, a 125’ x 200’ maintenance and storage facility. This becomes the primary General Aviation maintenance facility.

After completion of Hangar 8, Hangars 2, 3, 5, and 8 were connected into one large maintenance facility.

Open house with Bombardier Aircraft featuring a Global 5000, Challenger 300, and Lear 45. The event led to sales of 3 Learjets and 2 Global Express aircraft operated by Flightstar.

Hangar 9 was constructed, adding 25,000 sq/ft of hangar space for the growing fleet.

The start of an engine-changing program for American Eagle on their Embraer 145 series. This program continued through 2023 and completed 1,026 engine changes. Most were completed in a single overnight shift to ensure uninterrupted airline service the following morning.

Expansion of the Airline Division and Parts Department, adding over 8,000 sq/ft of office and parts storage.

Became a Bombardier Authorized Service Facility for Learjet 45/75.

Became a Honeywell Authorized Service Center for the TFE731 engine and Honeywell APUs.

Opening of the Structures Department.

Acquisition of Bloomington Avionics, expanding the avionics department, staff, and equipment.

Hosted the first of two Honor Flights for WWII veterans traveling to Washington D.C. for memorial visits. Flightstar hosted a large community welcome-back event.

Interior department expanded into a 4,500 sq/ft shop with paint booth, sanding booth, foam, and sewing stations.

Completion of Hangar 10, a 150’ x 210’ maintenance hangar built between Hangars 3, 5, and 9 for overnight airline maintenance.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds made a fuel stop at Flightstar, creating an impromptu airshow at Willard Airport.

Expansion of the FBO and corporate offices, adding five additional offices and storage space.

Opening of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection General Aviation Facility, a User Fee Port of Entry operated by Flightstar to improve international access for private aviation.

Opening of a dedicated Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) 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
• Large training room
• New avionics lab
• Additional back shop space for H2

Additional storage space created to accommodate MRO shop demands.

The last scheduled Embraer 145 rolls out of Hangar 10, marking the end of a 22-year maintenance program.
Scheduled airline maintenance is now exclusively performed for the Embraer 170 series.

Completion of a new 27,000-square-foot storage hangar, designated Hangar 11.

Re-allocation of Hangar 3 storage space into dedicated maintenance space for the Bombardier Challenger line.