Pontiac Flying Service operates an aerial application business focused primarily on fungicide applications for corn and soybeans. Because these treatments must occur within very tight seasonal windows, efficiency in loading aircraft is critical.
Company Name: Pontiac Flying Service
Location: Lexington, Illinois
Upgrade: Automated aircraft chemical loading system for aerial application operations
“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.”
— Kris Petersen, Aerial Application Pilot & Personnel Manager, Pontiac Flying Service
When the company purchased its Lexington, Illinois facility in 2020, the existing system was outdated and slow. The antiquated loading equipment created bottlenecks that limited the number of aircraft that could be serviced at a time.
To keep pace with demand and maximize productivity during short application windows, Pontiac Flying Service needed a system that could dramatically improve aircraft loading speed and operational efficiency.
Pontiac Flying Service was already familiar with Kahler Automation’s capabilities.
The company had previously installed a Kahler system at another facility and had seen the technology successfully used at large grain and barge terminals throughout the region. That proven performance gave the team confidence that Kahler could deliver the accuracy and efficiency needed for their aerial application operation.
Kahler’s experience with high-throughput facilities made them a natural choice for the project.
Since implementing the Kahler Automation system, Pontiac Flying Service has significantly increased its loading capacity and overall operational efficiency.
Previously, the facility could support only three to four aircraft from a single loading pad. With the new automated system, the team can now efficiently handle seven to eight airplanes from the same pad, nearly doubling productivity.
This improvement allows the operation to cover more acres during the narrow fungicide application window while keeping aircraft moving efficiently throughout the day.
The upgraded system has also improved the experience for visiting operators. Pilots and crews who assist during peak seasons frequently comment on how quickly and efficiently the facility can load aircraft.
Automation has also delivered major improvements in load accuracy and record tracking.
Previously, the operation relied on meters that required frequent resetting and manual tracking. With Kahler Automation’s scale-based system, every load is now weighed precisely, providing pinpoint accuracy and complete records of every product added to each tank.
This level of visibility ensures accurate product usage while improving traceability and reporting.
Pontiac Flying Service also values the support provided by Kahler Automation throughout the project.
From the initial system design through installation and startup, the Kahler team worked closely with the operation to ensure the system was implemented successfully. Ongoing support remains readily available whenever questions arise.
For Pontiac Flying Service, the combination of automation technology and dependable support has helped the company achieve operational goals that once seemed difficult to reach.