The Dillon Companies Flight Department: A Brief History (1948–2014) by Michael W. Sims highlights how Dillon Companies developed and operated a far-reaching corporate flight department, one that quietly supported growth, logistics, and leadership mobility for decades.
Researched and compiled by Michael W. Sims, the book traces the flight department’s origins in the post–World War II era through its evolution into a sophisticated operation with a global footprint.
Sims documents the department’s expansion through photographs, first-hand accounts, and historical materials, including the company’s aviation ties to Wells Aircraft, a key subsidiary that helped extend Dillon’s aviation presence beyond Kansas.
“Only a few individuals are aware of its global reach with its flight department,” Sims notes in the book’s opening, positioning the story as both a corporate history and an aviation record of an era when business flying was still a developing practice.
The story begins with the period immediately after WWII and highlights how aviation became increasingly valuable as Dillon Companies expanded to new markets. The book also captures pivotal transitions, organizational growth, aviation partnerships, and the long arc of the flight department’s operations up to its eventual absorption following Dillon’s merger into The Kroger Co.
The Dillon Companies Flight Department: A Brief History (1948–2014) offers an archival look at an operation that combined leadership vision, aviation capability, and long-term operational discipline—often outside public view.
About the Author
Michael W. Sims, a former pilot and aviation enthusiast, meticulously compiled and researched this history to honor the legacy of The Dillon Companies and its pioneering flight department. With access to exclusive archives and first-hand accounts, Sims brings a personal touch to this historical narrative, making it a must-read for aviation enthusiasts, history buffs, and business leaders.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dillon-Companies-Flight-Department/dp/1917116683