Swiss-made plane stars at Cape Air Charter

By Jim Obert

Business Today

Although there is a Cessna 414 that seats five passengers and a pilot for lease at Cape Air Charter at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, and although a 425-mph Citation jet may soon be available for lease, it's the Swiss-made Pilatus PC-12 -- a single-engine turboprop, all-weather cruiser -- that is running up high-class air hours.

The plane was used during the final days of the Jim Talent campaign for Missouri senator when Bill Beard, the owner of Cape Air Charter, piloted the plane from Cape to St. Louis to Jefferson City to Joplin to St. Joseph to Maryville, then back to Jefferson City, St. Louis and Cape.

"It was a whirlwind flight that day," said Beard, who moved to the area from Arkansas in 1985 and worked as a charter pilot for Cape Central Airways. When Air Evac Aviation became the fixed-base operator at the airport, Beard was hired as manager. He started Cape Air Charter last year after Air Evac left the area.

"The Pilatus is the nicest charter plane this airport has ever had," said Beard, who used to contract with the government for aerial photography. "We've had the Pilatus certified for charter use for about two months. I think we'll average between 30 to 40 air hours every month. And the demand may become more than that."

The Web site for Pilatus Aircraft says the plane has a certified ceiling of 30,000 feet, and it climbs from sea level to cruise altitude -- out of the weather and into the sunshine -- in 34 minutes or less. Its Pratt & Whitney jet-turbine engine can churn out 1,600 horsepower, and true air speed is rated at 270 knots -- about 300 mph. The aircraft, which costs about $2.5 million, is said to be ideal for shared ownership.

The Pilatus PC-12 at Cape Air Charter is owned by Crader Distributing Co. of Marble Hill. Stan Crader, president of the company that distributes Stihl products in a multi-state area, leases the plane to Beard, who operates it on his charter certificate.

"I've been intrigued with the Pilatus since it became available nearly 10 years ago," said Crader, whose company has owned planes since the 1960s. "The PC-12's design takes advantage of the latest in composit/kevlar technology and is much lighter than older designs."

Crader said the weight savings calculates into higher payload capacity. Although the plane seats seven passengers and a pilot, rear seats can be removed for greater cargo capacity.

Beard said a cargo door is large enough that a forklift can place a pallet inside.

"We've hauled cargo for Gates Rubber in Poplar Bluff and other businesses," said Beard. "But lately we've been very busy with passengers. We brought in some of the evangelists for the recent revival at the Show Me Center."

Crader said he has used the plane to travel to his company's warehouse in McKinney, Texas, and to Stihl headquarters in Norfolk, Va. He said the plane is leased to Cape Air Charter to help defray expenses.

"Bill Beard expressed and interest in having this plane as part of his charter service. So the investment experience has been good," said Crader, adding that fuel for the plane costs about $100 per air hour, and insurance costs about $200 per air hour.

"It's a very expensive airplane to operate but it can be loaded with eight full-sized adults, all the luggage they need for a week, and enough fuel to fly non-stop to the Pacific, Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico or Canada."

Beard said the Pilatus leases at an introductory rate of $750 per hour. The price will eventually rise to between $900 and $950 per hour. The plane requires one pilot but it can accommodate two pilots in the cockpit.

Besides politicians, Beard has flown many businessmen to destinations near and far. He has flown construction company officials from Columbia to Charleston, W.Va., and others to job sites that are not formally served by airlines.

Crader said he and Beard would like to generate a shuttle-type service for people in the area who have vacation homes out of state.

"That's the advantage of charter," said Crader. "The possibilities are infinite."