Midstate Airlines
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Founder | Roy P. Shwery |
| Defunct | 1989 |
| Fate | Ceased operations |
| Headquarters | Stevens Point , United States |
Area served | Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Chicago O'Hare |
Key people | Bryce Appleton (CEO) |
| Products | Air transportation services |
| Parent | Sentry Insurance (former owner) |
Midstate Airlines—also referred to as Mid-State Airlines or Midstate Air Commuter (MAC)—was an air carrier based in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States.
History
Established in 1964 by Roy P. Shwery, Midstate Airlines operated primarily from Marshfield and the Central Wisconsin Airport (CWA). The airline initially utilized Beechcraft Model 18 aircraft, later transitioning to a fleet of four Beech 99s. Its route network linked Marshfield, Wisconsin Rapids, Milwaukee, and Chicago. The Central Wisconsin Airport featured runways suitable for larger jet aircraft and served several surrounding communities.
During the early 1970s, service expanded to include Hayward and Ashland in Wisconsin, with operations also extending to Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport. A distinctive promotional offering was the 6:00 PM "Champagne Flight," which operated from O'Hare to Ashland via Milwaukee, CWA, and Hayward, providing passengers with complimentary refreshments.
In 1977, the airline modernized its fleet by introducing 19-passenger Swearingen Metroliners. On January 15, 1979, a Metroliner experienced an incident at Wisconsin Rapids resulting in injuries to 11 individuals and significant damage to the aircraft.
At its operational height, Midstate maintained a fleet of 19 Metroliners and incorporated six 50-seat Fokker F27 turboprop aircraft in 1984. This expansion facilitated service across 15 cities spanning Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Chicago O'Hare. The F27 aircraft required flight attendants onboard and compliance with FAA part 121 certification standards.
Ownership transitioned when Sentry Insurance of Stevens Point acquired the airline from Shwery before selling it to CEO Bryce Appleton in 1986. That year, Midstate leased Fokker F27 planes to the newly formed Chicago Air at Chicago Midway International Airport and provided maintenance support at Central Wisconsin Airport. Following Chicago Air's bankruptcy in 1986, Appleton purchased the remaining Midstate assets from Sentry Insurance. Subsequently, the airline divested its Chicago O'Hare slots and continued operating Swearingen Metroliners with a hub in Milwaukee but gradually scaled back operations until ceasing all flights in 1989.
Historical fleet
Throughout its existence, Midstate Airlines operated these aircraft types:
- Beechcraft 18
- Four Beechcraft 99
- Seven Fokker F27 Friendship
- Nineteen Swearingen SA227-AC Metro III
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- Defunct airlines of the United States
- Airlines established in 1964
- Airlines disestablished in 1989
- Stevens Point, Wisconsin
- Defunct companies based in Wisconsin
- 1964 establishments in Wisconsin
- 1989 disestablishments in Wisconsin
- American companies established in 1964
- American companies disestablished in 1989