IMEG provided structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and technology engineering design, along with construction phase services, for Phase 1 of the new VT Mobile Aerospace Engineering (VTMAE) Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul
(MRO) Hangar at the Pensacola International Airport. The new 173,500-sf hangar has two bays and can accommodate two of the largest version of the 777 wide-body series, or six A321 narrow-body aircraft.

The complete facility included a two-phase development consisting of the following components:

  • One large aircraft maintenance hangar
  • Aircraft parking aprons
  • Aircraft staging area and wash rack
  • Access taxiway/taxilanes
  • Blast fence
  • Two-lane access roadway
  • Tug roads
  • Relocation of the perimeter security fence
  • Installation of new security gates
  • Vehicle parking area
  • Site preparation including removal of pavement, clearing and grubbing, and grading
  • New stormwater management system
  • Wooded buffer between planned facility and adjacent residential areas

Structural engineering design included a foundation system for the hangar consisting of a combination of deep and shallow foundations. The hangar superstructure is a pre-engineered metal building system with rigid frames and trusses. The roof structure is a mono-slope roof with a peak at the front of hangar — a structural standing seam metal roof system was used. Two two-ton traveling bridge cranes are supported by the hangar. The floor slabs were designed to accommodate aircraft and vehicle loading, as well as the concentrated loading due to the eight aircraft jacks placed in the floor slab.

Mechanical engineering design for the new HVAC system included multiple chilled water air handlers to provide comfort conditioning for the office-type and workshop areas. The chilled water system consists of one 200-ton air-cooled chiller serving a variable primary pumping chilled water distribution system with a single distribution loop.

Electrical engineering design included a new 480Y/277V, three-phase, 4-wire main electrical service consisting of a 4000A main switchboard and a secondary distribution system. A 400hz 200Y/120V system consisting of seven 90kVA 400hz converters with service pits serve various aircraft power systems. Interior and exterior lighting systems consist of fluorescent and LED high-bay lighting, daylight and automatic lighting controls throughout the facility, and a central inverter system to provide emergency lighting.