Flight Express, Inc.

Flight Express, Inc.

Company type	Private
Industry	Cargo airline
Founded	1985
Founder	James E. Chapman (as Chapman Air)
Defunct	2013
Fate	Merged into Airnet Systems; brand retired
Headquarters	Orlando, Florida , United States
Area served	Southeastern and Midwestern United States
Key people	John Kirchhoefer (President, post-1985)
Products	Air freight and ground courier services
Number of employees	Over 100 (early 1990s) (early 1990s)
Parent	Bayside Capital (acquired November 4, 2008)

Flight Express, Inc. was a cargo airline under the ownership of Bayside Capital, which acquired the business on November 4, 2008. Concentrating its operations mainly in the Southeastern and Midwestern regions of the United States, Flight Express specialized in both air freight and ground courier services. Its primary focus was the transportation of cargo for sectors such as banking and financial services, life sciences, newspaper publishing, overnight freight delivery, as well as payroll and photographic processing. The company maintained a fleet comprising 84 aircraft distributed across facilities in eight different states. Established in 1985, Flight Express had its headquarters located in Orlando, Florida.

History

The origins of Flight Express trace back to May 1978 when it was launched as Chapman Air by James E. Chapman, starting with two airplanes stationed at Orlando Executive Airport (KORL). Initial revenue streams were generated through contracts involving the transport of banking documents and photographic supplies for Pony Express Courier Corporation throughout Florida.

By 1982, Chapman Air had expanded its fleet to ten aircraft and set up a modest maintenance operation at KORL. Two years later, in 1984, the company’s fleet had grown to 20 planes, accumulating more than 14,000 flight hours annually, supported by a team of sixteen pilots and two mechanics. In April 1985, operations were relocated to a larger hangar at the same airport to enhance maintenance capabilities and office space.

On November 1, 1985, Chapman sold the enterprise to a group of investors who rebranded it as Flight Express, Inc., appointing John Kirchhoefer as President. The company sustained its growth momentum; by 1993 it had doubled its hangar capacity and added new facilities including a parts storage area and sales office.

During the early 1990s, Flight Express operated a fleet exceeding 50 aircraft with a workforce of over 100 employees, logging upwards of 39,000 flight hours annually. A dedicated Flight Control/Dispatch Department was established to oversee crew scheduling and flight monitoring. The company’s core business remained focused on transporting banking-related materials.

In 1995, Flight Express introduced FLX Courier Systems, a ground courier service designed to complement its air operations by providing door-to-door parcel delivery solutions.

By the mid-1990s, Flight Express expanded its aerial network extensively throughout much of the Southeastern United States through leasing arrangements and acquisitions of rival air-courier firms, thereby increasing both its fleet size and market presence.

Following Bayside Capital’s acquisition in 2008, Flight Express continued operating from Orlando Executive Airport for five years while undergoing integration with Airnet Systems based in Columbus, Ohio—a merger finalized in April 2013 when Flight Express’s Orlando facilities were closed. Subsequently, the Flight Express brand was gradually retired under Airnet’s management.

Fleet

As of September 4, 2012, the Flight Express fleet consisted of:

Flight Express, Inc. Fleet:

Aircraft	Number Owned	Orders	Remarks
Cessna 210	58	0
Beechcraft Baron	26	0

Accidents and incidents

Flight Express has encountered several incidents that have influenced its operational safety record:

• January 15, 1985 – Floridana, FL: Piper PA-32-300 experienced engine failure caused by connecting rod overload; no injuries reported.
• August 5, 1985 – Longwood, FL: Cessna 210L suffered engine power loss due to fuel exhaustion attributed to pilot error.
• October 4, 1985 – Jacksonville, FL: Piper PA-32-300 engine fire occurred following improper exhaust system repair; no injuries.
• January 17, 1989 – KFMY: Piper PA-32-300 executed emergency landing after connecting rod bolt failure; minor injury sustained.
• February 26, 1990 – KSRQ: Cessna 210 crankshaft fatigue failure resulted in serious pilot injury during emergency landing.
• January 28, 1991 – KORL: Fatal accident linked to vacuum pump malfunction leading to pilot spatial disorientation.
• September 21, 1992 – KORL: Two separate incidents involving Cessna 210L landing gear hydraulic failures; no injuries occurred.
• October 27, 1994 – Jacksonville, FL: Landing gear collapse caused by incorrect rigging and maintenance oversight.
• August 21, 1996 – KOPF: Forced landing due to fuel starvation from improper fuel management; no injuries reported.
• December 4, 2002 – Boone County Airport (HRO): Fatal in-flight breakup attributed to pilot loss of control and exceeding weight limits.
• December 4, 2002 – Cincinnati Lunken Field (LUK): Gear-up landing caused by hydraulic line rupture; no injuries.
• December 31, 2004 – Florida Everglades: Fatal crash resulting from pilot altitude mismanagement.
• February 27, 2008 – TPA: Collapse of right main landing gear due to switch malfunction; no injuries occurred.
• June 8, 2010 – Departure from TPA: Engine failure caused by crankshaft issues led to off-airport landing; pilot unharmed.
• October 12, 2011 – Wheeler Downtown Airport: Gear-up emergency landing with no injuries sustained.
• November 28, 2013 – Montrose, PA: Forced landing following fuel contamination; minor injury to pilot.
• December 19, 2013 – Tampa International Airport (KTPA): Engine failure from connecting rod breach resulted in serious pilot injury.

These events underscore operational risks affecting Flight Express’s safety procedures and maintenance standards. Ongoing enhancements in maintenance protocols and pilot training remain essential for strengthening the company’s competitive position and ensuring sustainable expansion within the air taxi sector.