Since 1985, Freight Runners Express has grown consistently. The timeline below highlights company milestones, aircraft fleet changes, expansion of our team and more. Scroll down to see our deep history.
- Company founded
- FAA certification
- Original fleet
Freight Runners Express, Inc. was incorporated in the State of Wisconsin on April 29, 1985 by founder Chip Zens (pictured right).
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued our Air Carrier Certificate KCQA493F on November 8, 1985.
The first airplane was a single-engine Cherokee 6 registration N423JR. Followed by several single-engine Cessna 207’s.
- First customers
- First office
Our first revenue cargo customers included DHL Worldwide, Federal Express, Airborne Express and United Parcel Service (UPS).
The company leased office space at the Aerodyne/Van Dusen building located on Howell Avenue in Milwaukee. The aircraft were parked and maintained out front on the ramp.
- First UPS routes
Began flying scheduled cargo routes for United Parcel Service (UPS) out of Milwaukee with our fleet of Cessna 207 aircraft in 1988.
- Acquired first Cessna 402
- Theresa Cook joins company
In 1989 we purchased twin-engine Cessna 402 registration N727CA to fly scheduled UPS cargo routes from Milwaukee to Central Wisconsin Airport.
Theresa Cook was hired as the company’s first office employee in December 1989, while still going to school.
- First aircraft hangar
In 1990 the company leased hangar space and moved offices/maintenance to the former National Guard hangar on Howell Avenue in Milwaukee. The facility was shared with Air Cargo Carriers.
- First passenger flights
- DBA added
- Original logos
We began offering on-demand charter flights in our 6-passenger Cessna 402 during 1992.
As the company began operating passenger charter flights, we quickly realized the name “Freight Runners Express” would not work, so the DBA “Air Charter Express” was created.
The original “barnstormer” logo was replaced with “aircraft flying through circle” logo. The first rendition had “Air Charter Express” words around the circle, and Chip Zens liked the logo so much that another version was created with the words “Freight Runners Express”.
- Acquired first Beech 99
- New headquarters
The twin-engine turboprop Beech 99 was selected as an ideal aircraft type to operate UPS cargo routes. Registration N199CZ was purchased in July 1994 and began operations in September. This aircraft was the only Beech 99 to have the “Air Charter Express” logo painted on the tail.
We purchased our first hangar facility, which was located on Layton Avenue in the northeast corner of Milwaukee’s GMIA airport. Offices and aircraft maintenance were relocated to the building in late 1994.
- Company 10th anniversary
- Beech 99 STC issued
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved our Beech 99 Supplemental Type Certificate (STC SA448CH) to remove aircraft seats in December 1995.
- Acquired second & third Beech 99's
Beech 99 registrations N299CZ and N399CZ were added to the fleet in April and June 1996.
- Acquired fourth Beech 99
Beech 99 registration N499CZ was added to the fleet in February 1997.
- Office trailer
- Acquired fifth Beech 99
- Congressional visit
- Fleet grows to 10 aircraft
A trailer was connected to the main aircraft hangar for office expansion in 1998.
Beech 99 registration N599CZ was added to the fleet in November 1998.
U.S. Representative Jerry Kleczka toured our operation and met with staff in 1998.
The aircraft fleet now consists of two Cessna 207’s, three Cessna 402’s, five Beech 99’s.
- Robert Sevier joins company
- 20 employees
Robert Sevier started as Charter Sales Manager in November 1999.
- Company 15th anniversary
- Canada authorization
- First international flight
- Acquired Beech 18
We received our Canada Foreign Air Operator Certificate (FAOC No. 9733) in May 2000.
Our first international revenue flight was an on-demand Beech 99 cargo trip to Canada in June 2000.
Beech 18 registration N933T was added to operate on-demand cargo flights.
- Patrick Hammer joins company
- 440th Airlift Wing supporter
Patrick Hammer started as a Cessna 207 cargo pilot in November 2001.
- First King Air operations
- Acquired sixth & seventh Beech 99's
- Christmas card
- 25 employees
Began managing a King Air 90 for local manufacturing company, and offered on-demand charter flights in 2003.
Purchased Beech 99 registrations N699CZ and N799CZ in October 2003.
- Acquired eighth Beech 99
- Fleet grows to 15 aircraft
- Established CWA Mx base
Beech 99 registration N899CZ was purchased from Corporate Air in February 2004, and added to our certificate in September.
In an effort to impress our bankers, we set up a display of our entire aircraft fleet in August 2004. We were able to secure the financing for a much-needed facility addition!
Aircraft maintenance base at Central Wisconsin Airport (CWA) serviced our UPS aircraft with two full-time mechanics.
- Headquarters addition
- Retired aircraft types
- Hurricane pet rescue
Construction on our hangar facility addition began in early 2005 and completed in December. The new building offered maintenance back shops, and several new offices and meeting/training rooms upstairs.
We operated our last Cessna 402 passenger flights during 2005, using turbo-prop King Air aircraft for passengers going forward. The Beech 18 cargo aircraft was also retired this year.
Beech 99 cargo planes packed with cats and dogs were flown from the Gulf Coast to Illinois in December 2005. The animals were rescued from areas ravaged by hurricane Katrina.
- Active Aero award
- Christmas card
- Total revenues $4,150,000
We were honored to accept an award from Active Aero Charter in recognition of our dedication to on-time performance, communication, and customer service. The award was presented to General Manager Robert Sevier and Chief Pilot Patrick Hammer at the Active Aero Air Carrier Conference in July 2006.
- Chad Aumueller joins company
- Acquired first Beech 1900
- Mexico authorization
- First company retiree
- Christmas card
Chad started washing airplanes in June 2007 after graduating high school. That fall, Chad helped load cargo at Central Wisconsin Airport while attending the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point.
Purchased our first Beech 1900 registration N191CZ in Germany in March 2007.
We received our Mexican Indefinite Blanket Permit to operate cargo flights in and out of Mexico in April 2007.
President Chip Zens congratulates pilot Jim Kremsreiter upon arrival of his last company flight, June 8, 2007.
- Beech 1900 STC issued
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved our innovative Beech 1900 cargo conversion Supplemental Type Certificate (STC SA02570CH) in June 2008.
- Acquired second hangar
- Acquired third hangar
- 30 employees
Purchased a supplemental maintenance hangar facility in June 2009 from Grede Foundry (designated “Hangar 2”), which included an underground Jet-A fuel tank.
Expanded our equipment and aircraft storage capacity by acquiring the Everbrite hangar at Milwaukee’s GMIA in December 2009 (designated “Hangar 3”).
- Company 25th anniversary
- Upgraded Beech 99 avionics
- Acquired ninth Beech 99
- Acquired fourth hangar
- Christmas card
Aspen avionics were installed in our Beech 99 fleet beginning October 2010.
Purchased Beech 99 registration N999CZ in November 2010.
Expanded our maintenance facilities with another hangar at Milwaukee’s GMIA in December 2010 (designated “Hangar 4”).
- Acquired tenth Beech 99
- Acquired second Beech 1900
- Christmas card
- 35 employees
- Total Revenues $6,510,000 (increased 56.7% from 2006)
Purchased Beech 99 registration N109CZ in June 2011.
Purchased Beech 1900 registration N192CZ at a U.S. Marshals Service auction in November 2011.
- First King Air 350 operations
- EFB authorization
- Began Lansing UPS routes
- Acquired third Beech 1900
- 45 employees
- Total Revenues $7,090,000 (increased 8.9% from previous year)
We began managing two King Air 350 registrations N983AR and N919BW for corporate owners during 2012.
We were among the first part 135 air carriers to earn FAA approval for Electronic Flight Bags (EFB), utilizing crewmember Nooks and iPads.
Starting flying scheduled cargo routes for United Parcel Service (UPS) out of Lansing, Michigan in January 2012.
Purchased Beech 1900 registration N193CZ in South Africa in October 2012.
- Acquired first Embraer 120
- Embraer 120 simulator training
- Total Revenues $7,860,000 (increased 10.9% from previous year)
N120HL was purchased in Brazil in October 2013, and arrived at Milwaukee, Wisconsin (MKE) in December.
First crewmembers complete Embraer 120 simulator training at FlightSafety International’s Atlanta, Georgia location in October 2013.
- Another logo created
- First flight attendants hired
- Proving runs completed
- First Embraer 120 passenger flights
- Retired Cessna 207 fleet
- Christmas card
- 55 employees
- Total Revenues $9,700,000 (increased 23.1% from previous year)
The “ACE Air Charter Express” logo was created in February 2014 and painted on our first Embraer 120 registration N120HL in April.
Proving runs/validation flights were conducted with our Embraer 120 aircraft in late May 2014. The FAA granted approval to operate the aircraft type on June 2, 2014.
Our first Embraer 120 revenue flights were rotations for oil workers between Traverse City, Michigan and Williston, North Dakota in June 2014.
After nearly 30 years of reliable service in the aircraft type, we operated our last Cessna 207 revenue flights in April 2014. These were scheduled cargo flights out of DuPage, Illinois.
- Standardized logos
- First university team flights
- USCG contract
- Famous passenger
- Acquired second & third Embraer 120's
- First Embraer 120 cargo flights
- Added more hangar space
- Retired Cessna 402 fleet
- Total Revenues $11,900,000 (increased 22.7% from previous year)
The “Freight Runners Express” and “Air Charter Express” logos were re-stylized/colored for display together, to show one company with two names.
Northern Illinois University (NIU) basketball teams were the first sports flights in January 2015. We operated 35 team trips in our Embraer 120 fleet during remainder the 2014/15 season, which included 41 games for 15 universities.
Began operating flights for the U.S. Coast Guard from Florida to The Bahamas transporting military personnel and gear.
Jason Aldean posed for a photo with our crew in July 2015.
Added Embraer 120 registrations N122HL and N124HL to the fleet in April and July 2015.
Embraer 120 registration N124HL was converted to cargo configuration and operated the first revenue flight in July 2015.
The former Skyway hangar facility in the northwest corner of Milwaukee’s GMIA was leased for Embraer maintenance.
We also purchased another maintenance/storage aircraft hangar in the northeast area in August 2015 (designated “Hangar 5”).
Several UPS routes were upgraded to Beech 99 aircraft and we retired the fleet of Cessna 402 aircraft in 2015.
- New Board of Directors
- New livery on Beech 99's & Embraer 120's
- Acquired fourth Embraer 120
- First Alaska flight
- First all-female flight crew
- First line technicians hired
- 70 employees
- Total Revenues $16,700,000 (increased 40.6% from previous year)
Chip Zens implemented succession plan to transfer ownership of company to four key employees in January 2016. Theresa Cook, Robert Sevier, Patrick Hammer and Chad Aumueller are named to the Board of Directors.
New paint scheme was applied to first Beech 99 registration N599CZ, and first Embraer 120 registration N120HL in 2016.
Embraer 120 registration N121CZ was added to the fleet in September 2016.
First Alaska flight was on-demand Embraer 120 cargo trip in July 2016.
First Embraer 120 revenue flight with female Captain, First Officer and Flight Attendant occurred in November 2016.
- Sports team flights
- New livery on Beech 1900
- Hurricane pet rescue
- Total Revenues $20,625,000 (increased 23.5% from previous year)
During the 2016/17 season, we operated 241 sports team trips in our Embraer 120 fleet, which included 280 games for 81 universities.
New paint scheme was applied to first Beech 1900 registration N192CZ in March 2017.
We operated a Beech 1900 cargo flight in October 2017 for Lucy Pet transporting dogs rescued from areas ravaged by hurricane Harvey.
- Acquired fifth & sixth Embraer 120's
- Federal trademarks
- Began Fargo UPS routes
- Upgraded Beech 99 fleet avionics
- Total Revenues $24,880,000 (increased 20.6% from previous year)
Two more Embraer 120 registrations N128HL and N126CZ were added to the fleet in January and September 2018.
Company names and logos were granted US Trademarks by the United States Patent and Trademark Office in June 2018.
Starting flying scheduled cargo routes for United Parcel Service (UPS) out of Fargo, North Dakota in November 2018.
Modern Garmin TXI avionics were installed in Beech 99 aircraft beginning November 2018.
- Acquired seventh Embraer 120
- Sports team flights
- 90 employees
Embraer 120 registration N129CZ was added to the fleet in August 2019.
During the 2018/19 season, we operated 263 sports team trips in our Embraer 120 fleet, which included 339 games for 131 different teams from 93 universities.
- Acquired former 440th hangar
- Purchased eighth & ninth Embraer 120's
- Upgraded Embraer 120 fleet avionics
- Simulator dry lease
Long-term lease signed with Milwaukee County for the former 440th Airlift Wing hangar. Our maintenance department began operations in the new hangar in February 2020, and operations/management personnel moved to the facility in November 2020.
Embraer 120 registrations N127CZ and N125CZ were added to the fleet in November and December 2020.
Installed modern Garmin TXI avionics in first Embraer 120. The first test flight took place in March 2020 and FAA approval certification was granted in June 2020.
President/Director of Operations Patrick Hammer became our first check airman in the Embraer 120 in May 2020, and we began conducting company checkrides in FlightSafety International’s simulator in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Saab 2000's ordered
- Saab 2000 simulator training
- Final company buyout
- Retired King Air operations
- Delivery of first Saab 2000's
- Total Revenues $36,670,000 (increased 77.2% from previous pandemic year)
Multi-aircraft commitment between FRE/ACE and Jetstream Aviation Capital was signed in April 2021.
First pilots complete Saab 2000 simulator training at SIMCOM Aviation Training’s Orlando, Florida facility in July 2021.
The company’s succession plan was finalized on August 19, 2021 with the buyout of all remaining shares, and retirement of CEO/Founder Chip Zens.
Accepted delivery of the first Saab 2000 registration N508FR in October 2021. Two more Saabs soon followed, registrations N521FR and N506FR.
- Delivery of more Saab 2000's
- New livery on Saab 2000
- Operated sixteen honor flights
- Retired Beech 1900 fleet
- Ops Control center opens
- Long-time mechanic retires
- 125 employees
- Total Revenues $60,150,000 (increased 64.0% from previous year)
Accepted delivery of Saab 2000 registrations N542FR in August 2022 and N532FR in November 2022 from Jetstream Aviation Capital.
We also purchased registration N536FR to be disassembled for parts in September 2022.
The new paint scheme was first applied to Saab 2000 registrations N508FR and N506FR.
We retired our fleet of Beech 1900 aircraft after 15 years of successful service.
Construction completed on new Ops Control center in December 2022, offering expanded Flight Coordinator stations and several personnel, training and accounting offices.
A&P Mechanic Jim Kinkema retired in December 2022 after more than 30 years with the company.