Mustang Aviation: Where the Midwest Meets the Wild West
On one side of Pierre, South Dakota, you’ll find vast farmland with rows of bright yellow sunflowers and golden waving wheat fields. On the other side, the buffalo roam the rolling hills, which extend to Black Hills National Forest – and further west to The Badlands.
What may seem like a scene out of a movie, for Jim Peitz, President and Founder of Mustang Aviation, and his family – it’s home.
Pierre is home to a modest 15,000 residents, but it’s vibrant tourism and agriculture industries draw visitors throughout the year. Many don’t know the area offers world-class walleye fishing, large game hunting and top-notch pheasant hunting. Other attractions in Pierre include the stunning Lake Oahe to the north, which boasts 2,250 miles of shoreline and depths of over 200 feet. Some people may be a little shocked to see big sailboats and deep water marinas in the area.
Visitors who fly into Mustang Aviation, the FBO at Pierre Regional Airport (KPIR), are welcomed with the customer service-based ethos of the Midwest, the tranquil vibe of the west, and the flare of the wild outdoors. The full-service Phillips 66 branded FBO offers fueling, maintenance, flight instruction and charter services with Beechcraft King Airs. They also offer cargo services for which they utilize the Cessna Ground Caravan and Piper Navajo Chieftains. FBO amenities include de-icing services, a heated hanger, a conference room, a snooze room, catering and on-site car rentals, to name a few.
Jim, a native South Dakotan, established the FBO in 1990 as Capital City Air Carrier Inc., after a varied career that ranged from cattle ranching to HVAC contracting to real estate, and of course – aviation.
Jim started flying in the 1970’s and has amassed over 14,000 hours in over 100 types of aircraft from Piper Super Cubs to jets. Today, you might spot him in a P51 Mustang, a T6, or perhaps even in his stock certified Aerobatic Beechcraft F33C Bonanza. Jim’s been flying in airshows for more than 30 years and is the recipient of the Sword of Excellence, the most prestigious award in the airshow industry. One of his most recent performances was 2019 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
Born into a family of aviators, it’s no surprise Jim’s son, Clint, followed in his aviation-loving footsteps. Clint, who has served as Vice President and Operations Manager of Mustang Aviation for 20 years, developed an early interest in aviation. He started flight lessons at the age of 16 and earned his private license before attending school, where he obtained his A&P mechanics license.
Mustang Aviation, which rebranded in 2011, has been a Phillips 66 branded FBO for 30 years. The location offers Contract Fuel and participates in the WingPoints® Rewards program. The operation is also a member of the NATA and NBAA.
For more information about Mustang Aviation, visit www.mustangaviation.aero.