On a bright Kansas morning in 1948, a yellow Beechcraft Bonanza sat on the ramp at Hutchinson Airport, its tail glinting like a promise of the future.
To most, it was just an airplane. To Ray E. “Ace” Dillon Jr., a war hero, Eagle Scout, and visionary, it was a key to something bigger. Airplanes, he believed, weren’t simply machines; they were time machines, capable of shrinking long gravel roads into minutes and opening doors to horizons far beyond Kansas.
From One Plane to a Fleet
That first Bonanza was a business strategy.
Kansas roads in the late 1940s were slow, and the company’s reach was beginning to stretch beyond Hutchinson. Aviation allowed Dillon executives to save days of travel and maintain close connections with stores across the state. The Bonanza marked the start of a philosophy: use the skies to stay ahead.
Scaling with Growth
As the business expanded, so did the need for larger, more capable aircraft. The Beechcraft Model 18, or “Twin Beech,” soon joined the lineup, offering room for more passengers and greater range. A fleet quickly grew that mirrored the company’s ambitions. With every acquisition and new store, the airplanes kept pace, ensuring that growth never outstripped the ability to connect.
The Jet Era and Bold Ambitions
By the 1960s and 70s, Dillon’s aviation program reflected a company looking far beyond its Kansas roots. The Lockheed Lodestar and Learstar brought new speed and sophistication, while the Howard 500 represented the height of power and prestige. These weren’t just planes to get from point A to point B—they were airborne boardrooms, tools that allowed Dillon executives to manage a growing network spread across states.
Adventure in the Air
Of course, flying came with its share of risk. Pilots faced engine fires, severe turbulence, and storms that tested their skills and nerves. However, every successful landing reinforced the department’s reputation for resilience. Much like the company itself, the fleet thrived on determination and the belief that progress was worth the challenges along the way.
The Dillon Flight Department operated for nearly seven decades, officially coming to an end after the Kroger Corporate restructuremerger in 2014.
Dillon’s fleet tells a story of vision, grit, and adventure that reshaped not just a company but an era of business travel. From that first yellow Bonanza to the mighty Howard 500, each aircraft carried a legacy.
If you’d like to explore the full story, with all the rich details and untold moments behind the journeys, pick up a copy of The Dillon Companies Flight Department: A Brief History by Michael W. Sims and experience the adventure yourself.
