Testimonial: Pontiac Flying Service

Kris Petersen / Aerial Application Pilot & Personnel Manager
Pontiac Flying Service / Lexington, Illinois

Q: What challenges did you face with your old system?

"We needed to gain efficiency in our loading equipment for our aircraft to run an aerial application business. And our main focus is fungicide on corn and soybeans. So our window is very tight and we need lots of airplanes to cover the acres. We purchased the facility from another operator in 2020 and his setup he had was quite antiquated and slow. And we needed to speed things up and make it more efficient for us."

Q: How does Kahler help you achieve your business goals?

"Kahler Automation’s system and software helps us achieve our goals with efficiency and accuracy in loading our aircraft. We're able to handle way more airplanes at a single location, to increase our efficiency and maximize our days."

Q: Why did you involve Kahler in this project?

"We used Kahler Automation 10 years ago at our first facility in our first system, and we've also seen a lot of the big barge terminals on the river in our area are Kahler Automation. So we knew that if they could handle those large terminals accurately and efficiently that they could handle our operation as well."

Q: How had productivity improved with your Kahler system?

"Productivity is way better than it used to be with the old system. With Kahler Automation, we can run up to 7 or 8 airplanes off a single loading pad very efficiently. Before it was about 3 or 4. So I would say it's honestly doubled. We have many operators from out of state come help us during this time of year and time and time again we hear how this is the quickest and most efficient and accurate loading system they've ever seen."

Q: How has your inventory accuracy improved?

"Accuracy and record keeping is phenomenal compared to what we used to do. We used to use meters and reset them all the time. Now with the scales and the weighing of everything, it comes out to pinpoint accuracy, and we have a record of everything that goes in the tank for every load."

Q: How does Kahler Automation support your team?

"Kahler Automation support and training is quite helpful. We’re able to call them any time of the day and get a response and an answer. They've been very helpful by e-mail as well through the whole setup process and the startup of this operation in the facility."

Q: What has been your overall experience working with Kahler?

"Our experience setting up a new Kahler system here in Lexington, it was very thorough. Kahler was very thorough on the setup, the design, and then the final installation to get everything set up."

Q: What’s your takeaway for industry partners and peers?

"Kahler Automation has helped us achieve our goals that were probably unachievable before. We're able to run more aircraft than ever before in a very efficient manner. A lot of guys come here to help us out and they show up and they can't understand how we're able to run all these airplanes as quickly and efficiently as we do. And we tell them the secret is the Kahler Automation and our staff.”