ECTA item of interest

[Plan B]

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20121228/BIZ/312280036/Wilmington-hangar-to-create-250-jobs?nclick_check=1

[55chevr]

This looks like a jobs program project.    Good to see some work being done at the facility.  This area was devastated economically when Airborne was bought out by DHL.   During the April meet we counted an arriving 767 freighter and it departed about 3 hours later.  That was the total of their air operations for Saturday.  I wonder where the aircraft are going to come from for overhaul. 

Joe

[Plan B]

Don't know for sure but Atlas, Polar and DHL are all in bed together so I'm assuming this could be a mtc./overhaul facility for all of them.

They (all) fly B47, B67, Airbus and DC8 (Kalitta) equipment out of CVG regularly.  CVG is choked with politics, taxes, etc. and the only large
hangar is Delta's which is in use.

Wilmington seems like a good choice with the airfield infrastructure in place and the obvious incentives from the city and the county.

Hope it works.

ds   

[55chevr]

ATSG, the holding company that owns Airborne Mtc  owns 52 aircraft.   Most appear to be ACMI leases to freighter outfits.  All are aging airframes.   When they come for major overhaul, they park them and get another airframe.  I am guessing the engines are leased so they could use this 2 bay hangar to swap engines.   This looks like more of a construction job program than a continuing employment deal.    This area needs all the help they can get after Airborne bailed out.  One issue is that Indianapolis / Cincinnati / Louisville are all major cargo hubs and only 150 miles away.  They all have full maintenance service available and ready.  The other issue is that major overhauls are now scheduled in the far east where labor costs are laughable.  At JFK we have 8 hangar bays and employ about 250 mechanics, mostly for B checks. It has been a long struggle to keep the work flowing here against the far east deal. 

[Plan B]

Pretty much a losing battle with the Asian facilities.

When Delta grew the CVG hub, mid-90's, they were going to do contract heavy maintenance for other carriers. Never happened - couldn't compete even then.

About the same time United invested big bucks in a 'high tech' hangar in Indianapolis.  They were going to shuttle equipment from ORD for MSG3 C & D checks.
As far as I know, it was never used. 

[Speed Limit 1000]

You understand if the air field gets too much use, the racers will not be welcomed.

[Plan B]

Fortunately (?) or unfortunately (?) ..... frequent traditional use of this facility is probably not part of it's future.

[55chevr]

Not likely that there will be enough traffic to warrant 2 parallel runways.   In April there was one arrival and one departure for all of Saturday.   A maintenance hangar doesnt generate much air traffic.   The second runway was built for Airborne's hub operation and that is no more 

[Joe Timney]

This has been in the works for three + years, long before we first went to Ohio. This new place gives them a paint booth for planes.

[Joe Timney]

The AMES Group has two hangers packed with work and can do a lot more with this new hanger. A lot of professional sports teams have they jets refitted during the off season at Wilmington.