Product Details & Size Guide
Air Illinois took shape in Carbondale in 1970 and built a regional identity through routes linking Illinois with nearby states and major city airports. This embroidered dad cap hat celebrates the carrier’s changing fleet, from rugged Twin Otter service to HS 748 turboprops and leased BAC One-Eleven jets. Its story includes Springfield connections, charter flying, and a brief but memorable place in airline history. Made for aviation enthusiasts and collectors who enjoy discovering the independent carriers that served local communities.
Founded in Carbondale, Illinois, in 1970, Air Illinois was a regional airline serving routes within the Midwest and beyond. Its small twin turboprops included the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, a short-takeoff-and-landing aircraft that became the company’s workhorse. In December 1977, Air Illinois purchased the Handley Page Jetstream fleet of South Central Air Transport, a Natchez, Mississippi-based carrier that had ended airline service earlier that year. By 1978, Air Illinois had added two 44-seat Hawker Siddeley HS 748 aircraft, chiefly connecting Springfield with Chicago’s Meigs Field. In July 1982, it leased two 74-passenger BAC One-Eleven jets from USAir for routes linking Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, and Iowa with Chicago O’Hare, and also operated charter flights. After Air Illinois Flight 710 crashed near Pinckneyville in October 1983, the FAA grounded the airline. A tentative sale to Air Midwest fell through in February 1984. With passenger loads down and operating approvals delayed, the owner ceased operations and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April 1984. The airline never resumed service.
Product features
- Unstructured 6-panel body for a relaxed, low-profile fit
- Permacurv® precurved visor with 4-row stitching and color-matched underbill
- Self-fabric hideaway strap with antique brass buckle and grommet for adjustable fit
- 100% cotton construction (Green Camo variant 65% polyester / 35% cotton)
- Sewn-in label and brand sticker on visor; adult sizing (not for ages 0–3)
Care instructions
- Use warm water and dish soap and clean spots off your hat. It's not necessary to soak the whole item. For hard to clean spots use a soft bristled brush.
EU representative: HONSON VENTURES LIMITED, gpsr@honsonventures.com, 3, Gnaftis House flat 102, Limassol, Mesa Geitonia, 4003, CY
Product information: Yupoong 6245CM, two year warranty in the EU and Northern Ireland
Warnings, Hazard: For adults. For adults. Not for use by ages 0-3
Care instructions: Use warm water and dish soap and clean spots off your hat. It's not necessary to soak the whole item. For hard to clean spots use a soft bristled brush.