AV8 Flight School Hangar Door Retrofit

Our new aviation hangar doors ensure safe and speedy access to aircraft for flight school students and staff.

AV8 Flight School recently completed a hangar door retrofit with the help of a trusted partner, Midland Door Solutions. The project was intended to improve safety and access to aircraft for students, instructors and staff. The project was a spectacular success!

Original hangar doors

When we first started out with AV8 Flight School, many environmental factors were behind the times on our grounds and in training spaces. We recognized this and developed a plan to create the ideal learning environment we wanted to offer to our students and instructors. Additionally, our goal included alleviating aviation maintenance and other staff of time and management issues around the existing setup.

The former doors had a top electric motor with a cabling system that spooled as the door lifted. This design caused cables to unravel and fray, and replacement cables were needed regularly to support the growing business. Mechanics working on AV8 aircraft were frequently required to stop working on their projects to maintain doors. Importantly, additional repairs and basic maintenance were more frequently required for that style of doors, which involved both more time and expense.

New flight school door solution

When Midland Door Solutions presented their answer, the somewhat functional doors at that time were compared with a new and more capable door structure, not reliant on wires or cables. Their solution was a more simplified straps technology that could be managed from the foot of the door, improving functional and maintenance safety and reducing the need for continual involvement by staff. Now, no lift or ladder would be required. Finally, the addition of windows and a walk-through personnel door further improved safety, access and visual appeal.

Construction completed, all staff and instructor access to aircraft is swift and safe, and mechanics now remain focused on the aircraft. We’re thrilled to have this solution in place, as hours at AV8 Flight School continue to increase, and this solution contributes to our ability to grow as a training center. Going from AV8 Flight School’s first year of 1400 hours to 8400 hours in 2023, this increase of +7000 hours additional flight time equates to a significant amount of aircraft movement! Formerly, we would access and move aircraft in and out of hangers 2-3 times per week, and now that frequency more commonly 2-3 times per day!

AV8 Flight School works diligently to support all the instructors and staff that surround our students, with a goal of keeping learning in focus. The new door solution is just one part of the entire plan moving us forward!

See the before and after photos and project details here

Have questions about flight school? Our team will be happy to answer any questions and help you to get flying!