Bob Rasberry of West Star Aviation details plans for a new Chattanooga jet maintenance and repair facility
West Star Aviation announced it will open a new facility at the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport. The new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility represents a $22.3 million investment and will create 200 new jobs in Hamilton County.
Bob Rasberry, president, told members of the Airport Authority board that the firm plans to buy the hangar now owned by Cleveland, Tn., businessman Allan Jones, and it likely will later build a second hangar for painting planes and a third for additional repairs.
He said the firm will open with about 25 employees, but may be as high as 225 employees within five years.
There are 400 employees each at jet repair and maintenance facilities in Grand Junction, Colo., and East Alton, Ill.
He said a full maintenance inspection of a large jet can cost as much as $600,000 to $1 million, and he said a prominent Tennessean has already called him and promised to have his jet serviced in Chattanooga.
Closing on the deal is set for next Monday.
He indicated the acquisition of the hangar is between $4 million and $5 million. Mr. Jones had stopped using the hangar, which he earlier obtained from the firm of Coca Cola magnate Frank Harrison, last year.
Mr. Rasberry said his shop at Grand Junction currently gets business as far away as the East Coast as well as Europe. He said the Chattanooga acquisition opens up a whole new sector for the firm, which he said had $5 million in revenues its first year 12 years ago and is up to $200 million in business.
The hangar occupies 3.92 acres and has 40,000 square feet.
The Jones firm has been paying the airport $60,000 per year for the lease. There will be no charge to West Star in the first year as its remodels the hangar and rebuilds the ramp.
West Star Aviation specializes in the repair and maintenance of air frames, windows and engines, as well as major modifications, avionics installation and repair, interior refurbishment, surplus avionics sales, accessory services, paint and parts.
The Chattanooga facility will house mixed-use space, which will be used for administrative and customer offices, engineering avionics, cabinetry and upholstery shop functions, as well as accommodate storage of customer aircraft parts.
“The aviation-friendly location and existing facilities will allow West Star to better serve East Coast corporate aviation flight departments,” Rodger Renaud, West Star chief operating officer, said. “This expansion represents the initial steps in a larger five-year plan that calls for continued growth in the Chattanooga area.”