((L-R) Matt Appleby, Project Architect, BBT Architects; Nelson Carrick, General Manager, Sky Services and Kristy Thompson, Project Manager, SunWest Builders | Pjoto by Cascade Business News)
New State-of-the-Art Redmond FBO Complex Provides Best-in-Class Facilities
A 32,000-square-foot new Fixed Base Operations (FBO) complex has been unveiled at Redmond Municipal Airport-Roberts Field (KRDM) as part of an expansion in U.S. markets by leading Canadian aviation service provider Skyservice.
The facility — designed by Bend’s BBT Architects and built by Redmond-based general contractor SunWest Builders — includes a 7,000-square-foot FBO terminal with passenger and pilot lounges, refreshment bar, snooze room, flight-planning area, 16-seat conference room, concierge, hotel shuttle and on-site car rental.
An adjoining state-of-the-art 25,000-square-foot hangar, complete with under-floor radiant heating spanning over 1,000 feet of piping, can accommodate aircraft up to a Gulfstream G650 jet or Bombardier Global 7500 and brings the location to some 85,000 square feet of aircraft shelter.
The expansion by Skyservice Business Aviation is part of a widening footprint for four new locations in the Pacific Northwest, under an overhaul and rebranding of the former Leading Edge Jet Center to enhance a platform of services and growth potential in what are seen as attractive North American markets for business aviation.
The other recently newly-branded facilities, services and teams under the Skyservice banner include those at Bend Municipal Airport, King County International Airport-Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington and Helena Regional Airport in Helena, Montana — establishing a significant physical presence for the company in the United States in FBO’s, aircraft maintenance, charter flights, aircraft management and aircraft on ground support services, among other best-in-class offerings.
“With an understanding of the need for investment into upgraded infrastructure, this new FBO represents a robust expansion meeting the client’s customer’s needs,” said Matt Appleby, project architect. “Along with a new larger hangar for private aircraft storage, upgrades to the facility include an enhanced and expanded meeting facility with a large outdoor space for events. The interior also includes a new reception area and lounge area with showers for pilots. Additional modern amenities include charging stations for electric aircraft and vehicles.”
Appleby added that throughout the facility, visitors are greeted by historic images harkening back to the history of Roberts Field with photographs of historic World War II B-17 and P-38 aircraft, which is also a nod to the legacy of local hero Rex Barber, a highly-decorated fighter pilot from Central Oregon who changed the course of history during World War II.
Born and raised in Culver, Barber achieved fame by being the pilot who in 1943 shot down the airplane carrying Japanese Adm. Yamamoto, the mastermind of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
At Bend Municipal Airport, where Skyservice is also the lone service provider, it recently added a 16,000-sq-ft hangar for based aircraft to complement the location’s existing 12,000 square feet of hangar space, including a 10,000-square-foot Maintenance Repair and Operations complex.
The Redmond project commenced last summer after former older-era buildings were torn down and temporary facilities were installed while new construction was completed.
“This expansion is a big step for Central Oregon and was undertaken in response to increasing demand for business aviation services both locally and further afield,” said Nelson Carrick, Skyservice regional manager. “This project actually started and stopped three times. Originally, it was two-story then COVID hit, and we went back to a single-level structure.
“We also wanted to be sympathetic to the Central Oregon Cascades style which is reflected in some of the architectural features and use of native wood.”
Carrick, who previously oversaw FBO development at McClellan Palomar Airport in Carlsbad California, one of the largest single runway general aviation airports in the U.S., added, “As part of highly awarded chain of business aviation centers and full-service aviation company, Skyservice Redmond offers a complete range of aircraft services. It’s kind of like a hotel for airplanes.
“From fueling, hangarage and hospitality services to robust aircraft maintenance services, we are available 24/7 to support aviation needs and our reputation for excellence means that it can be trusted that your aircraft is in the best hands.”
The recently constructed facility in Redmond is centered around the contemporary hangar designed with 28-foot hangar doors and a large ramp, expanding the company’s service offering to include modern aircraft, such as the Global 7500 and 8000.
SunWest Project Manager Kristy Thompson highlighted the hangar’s safety features including an extensive sprinkler system and trench drain accessing a series of large 30,000-gallon underground holding tanks that can separate and contain jet fuel and water in the event of a major spill.
Other features of the complex include ramp site auto access, and an approved weather service and flight planning center. Among the range of services offered are aircraft detailing, fuel and ground support and anti-icing
The facility currently employs a workforce of around 30, and Carrick said future plans include looking at possible further expansion through rehabilitating a couple of former WWII hangars on the site. “Skyservice is committed to delivering world-class business aviation services across all of our business service lines, addressing the growing demand for private aviation travel in North America,” said company president and CEO Benjamin Murray.
“We are excited to open our newest fixed-base operations and hangar facilities in Oregon, a popular place for recreation and tourism, and to improve the client experience through excellent service, safety and amenities.”
Founded in 1986, Skyservice is the only fully integrated business aviation services company in Canada, managing the largest fleet of business aircraft in the country with a premium brand that is recognized and trusted globally. In October 2021, Skyservice became the first business aviation provider in Canada to offer sustainable aviation fuel to its customers, reflecting Skyservice’s dedication to reducing carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Leading Edge Jet Center
1050 SE Sisters Ave., Redmond, OR 97756
Property Owner/Developer: Skyservice / Leading Edge Jet Center
Contractor: SunWest Builders
Project Cost: $9M
Sitework Start: August 18, 2021
Completion: September 28, 2022
Square Footage: 30,525 SF
Amenities: FBO with Lounge, Conference Room, Snack Bar, Pilot Lounge, 25,000-square-foot heated airplane hangar.
Project Manager: Kristy Thompson
Supervisor: Jim Skelly
Architect: BBT Architects
Principal Architect: Renee Alexander
Project Architect: Matt Appleby
Structural Engineer: Walker Structural Engineering LLC
Civil Engineer: Hickman Williams & Associates, HWA Inc.
Landscape Architect: Jay Battleson
Mechanical Engineer: ColeBreit Engineering
Electrical Engineer: ColeBreit Engineering
Plumbing Engineer: ColeBreit Engineering
Geotechnical Engineer: Wallace Group
Subcontractors and Suppliers:
AM-1 Roofing, Inc., Bell Hardware – Bend, Bend Commercial Glass, Bend Concrete Services, Co., Cascade Civil Corp, CCI Bend, LLC, Cement Elegance, ECI, Fabulous Floors, LLC, Foster Creek Construction, GEM Buildings, Havern Cabinetry Design, Hickman Williams & Associates, HWA Inc., High Desert Aggregate & Paving Inc., Imagine Stoneworks, Integrity Industries, LLC dba Cement El, J & R Fire Protection, Lakeview Millwork Sales, Inc., Marc Riverman Painting, LLC, Mike’s Fence Center, Mountain Sky Landscaping, Inc., North Country Building Specialties, North Rim Electric, Northwest Framing Systems, Quality Heating, Redbuilt Engineered Wood Products, River Roofing Bend, LLC, Service Partners, Severson Plumbing & Mechanical, Sign Pro, Sunburst Fabrications, Inc., Superior Garage Floors, Tim Bloom Construction, Inc., True Line Steel, W.H. Cress Company, Inc, Wallace Group, Western Protective Coatings, Western Wood Structures
