Northwest Missouri Aero Acquires Controlling Interest In ATD

Northwest Missouri Aero Group has acquired controlling interest in ATD Flight Systems, a Missouri charter, aircraft management and flight training provider.

Founder Bill Hays, who established the company in 1996, has retired. His daughter, Keara Neifach, who has led ATD for the past five years, remains an owner and will remain with the company.

Northwest Missouri Aero Group is made up of pilots, aviation educators, business operators, investors and aviation enthusiasts. It is led by Lute Atieh, managing partner. Financial terms were not disclosed.

ATD Flight Systems is the parent company of ATD Charter, a Kansas City-based Part 135 operator; ATD Pilot Training, which provides Part 141 instruction; and ATD Aircraft Management. The company operates in five locations, including Kansas City, Clinton, St. Joseph and Columbia, Missouri, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The extended organization also includes FlyTech Pilot Academy, based at Rosecrans Memorial Airport (KSTJ) in St. Joseph, Missouri.

"That integrated structure gives ATD a strategic advantage that we believe is unmatched in the region," Atieh said. "It also gives us a strong foundation from which to grow without allowing the customer experience to become impersonal or transactional."

ATD's charter and aircraft management group is focused on Cessna Citations, including the XLS+ and CJ-series aircraft. In the future, it plans to add the Pilatus PC-12 to its operations with expectations to evaluate a third aircraft in the large-cabin, long-range category for international travel.

Its pilot training organization is adding upset prevention and recovery training and tailwheel training in October 2026. It also will provide twin-engine and instrument boot camps at its location at the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport in Kansas City.