3 minute read
Fly More. Leave Less
Ross Aviation is building a new hangar at SDL.
(Ross Aviation)
Ross Aviation takes its passengers and the environment seriously
By Kristine Cannon
The sky’s the limit for premier fi xed-base operator Ross Aviation.
Since returning to Scottsdale Municipal Airport (SDL) in 2016, Ross Aviation has not only become a dominant presence at SDL, but the company is also in the midst of expanding — in more ways than one.
On June 1, Ross Aviation — along with domestic general building contractor JE Dunn Construction — broke ground on an expansive new hangar and offi ce building complex at SDL.
“Putting shovels in the ground … is the start of providing even greater hangar capacity for our customers here in Scottsdale,” says Brian Corbett, chief executive offi cer of Ross Aviation.
One month prior, Ross Aviation expanded its FBO network with the acquisition of the FBO and MRO businesses of Silverhawk Aviation in Lincoln, Nebraska.
“This is an important addition for us, not only from a geographic perspective, but from an operational one as well,” Corbett says.
As an FBO, Ross Aviation is what some might describe as a gas station for aircraft.
But for Ross Aviation, it’s more than that.
As part of its new, 56,000-square-foot hangar and its two 3,000-square-foot offi ce buildings — a $13 million project — it will have even more space for its base customers at SDL.
The new facility will also feature two primary bays with the capability to easily accommodate both Gulfstream 650 and Bombardier Global Express aircraft.
“The groundbreaking further affi rms our promise to invest in creating best-inclass facilities that allow us to provide an unmatched level of fl ight hospitality to make every customer’s journey as safe, hassle-free and pleasant as possible,” Corbett explains.
Further, the to-come facility aims to reduce business aviation’s impact on the environment via the solar panels installed
Ross Aviation has broken ground on a new 56,000-square-foot hangar and two 3,000-squarefoot office buildings at Scottsdale Municipal Airport as the company expands its already significant presence on the field. Pictured are, from left, Mike Hunter and David Hanson, JE Dunn Construction; Troy Stalter, US Bank; Brian Corbett, Ross Aviation CEO; Rick Wielebski, GM at Ross Aviation Scottsdale; Michael Voorheis, DWL Architects; Casey Cannone, Ross Aviation senior manager operations planning; and Gary Mascaro, Scottsdale Airport aviation director.
(Photo courtesy of Ross Aviation)
onto the roof of the hangar and office complex.
Its 36-space parking area will also feature EV charging stations.
Known for its environmental initiatives, including its “Fly More. Leave Less.” carbon offset program, Ross Aviation has other environmental initiatives in the works, including making electric crew cars widely available, investing in electric tugs and exploring photovoltaic systems on hangar roofs.
“We believe that, together as an industry, we must do more to reduce our collective footprint,” the company states.
Ross Aviation’s 100,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility offers a pilots lounge, snooze room, flight planning room and two executive conference rooms for up to 18 people.
It also offers full-service concierge.
“Congratulations to Ross Aviation for investing in success in Scottsdale,” Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega says. “We have an amazing team and an amazing field, which we consider to be a backbone of executive travel here in the Valley.”
In addition to boasting high ranking for safety and service in recent industry surveys, Ross Aviation continues to expand its current 18-FBO network — a key strategy for the company.
The aforementioned and most recent acquisition of Silverhawk Aviation, which has been consistently ranked as one of the top FBOs in the Midwest, brings the company’s network to 18 locations in the United States and the Cayman Islands.
Additional new locations are anticipated to be announced before year-end.
“We’re proud to partner with one of the most respected companies in the industry,” says Mike Gerdes, president of Silverhawk Aviation. “We expect the FBO and MRO pieces of the business to continue to flourish under Ross Aviation, and this allows us to focus 100% of our effort toward continuing to provide the best value in private travel in the Midwest.”
In the meantime, Ross Aviation and JE Dunn will continue to build out the new facility at SDL.
“We’re excited to begin construction on the Ross Aviation Hangar project here at Scottsdale Airport,” says Mike Hunter, a representative of JE Dunn. “We value the opportunity to build a relationship with Ross Aviation as well as to continue our relationships with Scottsdale Airport and DWL Architects.”
