Published In Midwest Flyer Magazine February/March 2022 Online Issue
On one side of Pierre, South Dakota, you’ll find vast farmland with rows of bright yellow sunflowers and golden waving wheat fields. On the other side, the buffalo roam the rolling hills, which extend to Black Hills National Forest, and further west to The Badlands.
What may seem like a scene out of a movie, for Jim Peitz, President and Founder of Mustang Aviation, and his family, it’s home.
Pierre, population 15,000, has vibrant tourism and agriculture industries that draw visitors year around. Many people do not know that the area offers world-class walleye fishing, large game hunting and top-notch pheasant hunting. Other attractions include Lake Oahe to the north, which boasts 2,250 miles of shoreline and water depths of over 200 feet. There, you will find big sailboats and deep-water marinas.
Visitors who fly into Pierre Regional Airport (KPIR) are welcomed by Mustang Aviation – a full-service fixed base operation – which is owned and operated by native South Dakotans, Jim Peitz and his son, Clint. Jim Peitz established the FBO in 1990 as Capital City Air Carrier Inc., after a varied career that ranged from cattle ranching to HVAC contracting to real estate, and of course – aviation.
Jim Peitz started flying in the 1970s and has amassed over 14,000 hours in over 100 types of aircraft from Piper Super Cubs to jets. Today, you might spot him in a P51 Mustang, a T6, or perhaps even in his stock certified Aerobatic Beechcraft F33C Bonanza. Jim has been performing in airshows for more than 30 years, including EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, and is the recipient of the Sword of Excellence Award, presented by the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS).
Born into a family of aviators, it’s no surprise Clint Peitz followed in his dad’s aviation footsteps. Clint has served as Vice President and Operations Manager of Mustang Aviation for 20 years. He started flying at the age of 16 and earned his private pilot certificate before attending A&P school (www.mustangaviation.aero).
