Additionally, the facility’s striking design draws on aviation-related colors, shapes and forms to inspire school pride and motivate students to enter careers in aircraft maintenance.

Developed by the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission and the Technical College System of Georgia, the academy trains certified aviation mechanics to fill a critical workplace shortage.

The project team’s decision to locate the building’s main entry on the second level allowed alignment of the hangar and labs with the tarmac on the lowest level. An agreement with the county allowed grading to continue beyond the property boundary, eliminating the need for retaining walls.

Built with durable materials to withstand harsh work environments, the academy’s hangar is large enough to accommodate other mechanical vehicle maintenance programs.

Construction for the glide system for the hangar’s massive door required two pours with large amounts of vibrated concrete to ensure rails sit flush to the slab.

The project’s Winter Construction-led safety program achieved nearly 128,000 worker hours with zero lost-time accidents.