The Olathe company preps for expansion in 2017.

KCAC Aviation hits the half-century mark this year, but the Olathe operation is still growing like a young company. Business has doubled over the past decade, and KCAC is preparing for a major expansion next year, said Angelo Fiataruolo, the company’s president and general manager.

KCAC sells Piper and Pilatus aircraft—in fact, it’s won Dealer of the Year honors from Pilatus for three of the past five years.

MAKING BUSINESS POSSIBLE

But KCAC does more than sales. The company provides maintenance, charter and other fixed-base operator (FBO) services at Johnson County Executive Airport. KCAC staffers even arrange ground transport and hotel reservations for their clientele.

Many of KCAC’s clients are business owners who use private aircraft to visit their customers or field offices. They can zip to Cedar Rapids in the morning, hold a few meetings and return in time for dinner. “I defy you to leave in the morning and get home that night unless you’re using business aviation,” Fiataruolo said.

‘HERE FOR THE LONG HAUL’

KCAC relies on a highly skilled team, both in the air and on the ground, so it’s made a point of holding on to its people. One employee just retired after 42 years with KCAC, “and that is not untypical,” Fiataruolo said.

“We’re here for the long haul,” he said. “It’s a company that’s very secure.”