Table of Contents
Introduction:
Aviation buildings are engineered to withstand the worst conditions, and last for decades. With a focus on sustainability, these buildings are designed to exceed the latest design codes and standards. Commercial aircraft are expected to have a 30+ year service life, so it’s important that the structures built around them can accommodate this. Aviation buildings must be designed with strict attention paid to utility access, interior accessibility for equipment delivery, and stringent building codes that ensure safety for passengers and workers alike.
Fixed Base Operational and Consolidation Buildings.
Fixed Base Operational Buildings are predominantly built as a single 10 story building, with a single flight deck and airplane parking spot on the ground floor. Construction of this type of structure can begin as early as 2013, utilizing pre-existing infrastructure to maximize construction efficiencies. These buildings can be larger than most other industrial buildings due to the need for additional capacity beyond single-aisle aircraft parking spots (i.e. full size elevators). These structures should be designed to accommodate at least 50% of their gross building volume as aircraft parking space.
Construction of these facilities will be staggered, with approximately 21 large airport facilities to be built nationally by 2029.
Fixed Base Consolidation Buildings are complex designs that consist of multiple buildings connected into a single facility. Similar to FBO, these structures have roof access for aircraft parking and loading material movement. Buildings must be close enough to connect via covered fiberglass grating walkways outside of the main building footprint. These buildings are designed to accommodate larger aircraft than an FBO structure (i.e. double-decker jumbo jets), and must also meet stringent fire and safety regulations while including mechanical loading docks in addition to airplane parking spaces.
Significance of Aviation Building Construction:
Aviation buildings are designed to last for decades, but most importantly they are designed with safety in mind. The majority of Aviation Building Construction is being done to replace older commercial fleet buildings, which have a narrow window of use as aircraft age and become more fuel efficient.
Construction of these buildings also serves to create jobs for the many workers serving the aviation industry, as well as it sets a precedent for sustainable construction with a focus on green building materials and design.
Construction firms need workers with a wide range of skill sets, as well as those who can work in a fast paced environment. As aviation buildings are built primarily in the United States, workers from all walks of life and skill levels can find work. Training programs for both technicians and managers offer exciting careers in Aviation Building Construction, so it’s important to get your resume ready for the jobs that are being created with this new industry focus.
Future of Aviation Building Construction:
Future building construction in the aviation industry will be focused on maximizing efficiency, safety and affordability. Both FBO buildings and fixed base consolidation buildings are built to accommodate current aircraft, but newer, larger planes (i.e. double-decker jumbo jets) will require larger buildings to house these planes. Buildings of this size were not previously constructed for efficiency, but as airplanes become more efficient, so must the structures that house them. Construction firms in this industry are expected to see a steady increase in jobs as new aviation buildings are being built as older buildings need replacement or expansion to accommodate new technologies like winglets and carbon fiber body designs.
Building materials are also expected to continue to focus on being sustainable, though the focus will shift from cost savings on construction materials to life cycle cost reduction for building maintenance. Example of this would be the use of solar panels as a method for heating water and reducing energy costs.
These buildings are designed with the idea that they will last into the next century. It’s important that construction firms get involved in the planning and design stages of these buildings to ensure they can accommodate current and future aircraft designs, while creating a safe work environment for employees and customers alike.
Future aviation buildings are expected to house larger aircraft, which mean more people using those facilities means more jobs available in construction. As the economy recovers, Aviation Building Construction should continue to see growth in new job opportunities for workers in this field.
Construction firms in this industry should have a wide range of skill sets, as the majority of Aviation Building Construction is being built to replace older commercial fleet buildings. Many jobs will be created from the expansion of this industry, as well as workers looking for new career paths in construction are expected to find work in these new facilities.
Building Construction:
Construction is the process of creating an object or structure. Often associated with building projects in which materials are used to overcome resistance and limitations, such as columns and beams. It can also refer to other forms of human activity that require planning, design and resources to complete. In most cases it involves the application of force against a stationary object (such as a wall), e.g.
Conclusion:
The future of Aviation Building Construction is still unknown, but is expected to be an exciting and prosperous time for those in the industry. Commercial aircraft are becoming more efficient and newer, larger planes are being added to the fleet, meaning older facilities will need to be replaced soon. Aviation Building Construction jobs are expected to increase as old buildings need replacement over time.
