Published In Midwest Flyer Magazine Online October/November 2021 Issue
AURORA, ILL. – After more than 60 years in business, Bob and Mike Luman of LumanAir Aviation Services at Aurora Municipal Airport in Sugar Grove, Illinois, have accepted an offer from the Iowa-based company, Carver Aero, to acquire the business. In addition to LumanAir, Carver Aero has acquired the aircraft engine maintenance and service company, ATS Illinois, also located at Aurora Municipal Airport.
“It’s been a wonderful ride,” said Mike Luman. “Our dad started the business in 1960 at the former Aurora Airways Airport. We’ve had several offers over the years, but we were waiting for the right people and the right company to come along that would continue the legacy of our family. Carver Aero is that company.” The Aurora City Council approved the acquisitions of LumanAir and ATS Illinois on July 27, 2021.
“As a new tenant of the airport, we are honored by the welcome and trust we received from the city and from existing businesses at the airfield,” said Peter Limberger, Co-founder and Chairman of CL Enterprises, the parent company of Carver Aero.
Under its Part 135 charter certificate, Carver Aero operates a Pilatus PC-12, a fleet of King Air turboprops, and a Citation Ultra jet. The company will be adding experiential charter services, such as offerings to exclusive golf/spa resorts, Chicago Bears away games, and other specialty events.
Owned by CL Enterprises, Carver Aero (www.carveraero.com) has other fixed-base operations in Muscatine, Davenport, and Council Bluffs, Iowa; Aurora, Illinois; and Janesville, Wisconsin. Carver Aero provides air charter, pilot services, aircraft maintenance, avionics, flight training, fuel sales, and aircraft storage.
The Peru, Illinois-based CL Enterprises (www.cl-enterprises.com) is the investment and holding company owned by husband and wife, Peter Limberger and Inga Carus. CLE owns and invests in businesses in a variety of industries, including farming, manufacturing, real estate development, hospitality, and aviation, with a focus on economic development in smaller Midwestern towns. Both Limberger and Carus are avid pilots.
