The U.S. Air Force substantially upgraded its aircraft maintenance operations at Tinker Air Force Base (AFB) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with the inauguration of a $15 million aircraft paint facility in August of 2000.
Austin AECOM designed and constructed the 90,000-sq-ft state-of-the-art aircraft paint facility, which represents the first project solicited, awarded and executed by the Department of Defense (DOD) using a relatively new government procurement procedure known as two-phase Design-Build.
Two-phase Design-Build became an option in January 1997 when changes in the law and government regulations allowed the DOD to evaluate initial qualifications of Design-Build firms and then select three to five firms for a final evaluation that would include a proposed design solution and price.
Using the two-phase Design-Build procedure made it possible for design and construction of the Tinker project to be completed in just 18 months.
According to Vincent J. Delli Carpini, Design and Construction Program Manager, U.S. Air Force, "Using this procedure, the Tinker project was awarded nine months earlier and construction was completed six months faster than could have been accomplished by traditional methods." The success of the Tinker aircraft paint facility has led Delli Carpini to recommend this approach for other projects, especially those involving highly complex facilities.
The Tinker facility includes a 36,000-sq-ft paint dock sized to accommodate C/KC 135s, E-3 AWACS and B-1B aircraft. The facility has specialized storage areas for paint, solvents and supplies, as well as shop areas, a breakroom, a locker room, showers and restroom facilities. Administrative and support services are also housed within the facility.
A number of special features enhance the efficiency of the facility while assuring worker and environmental safety. The hangar’s air-handling system is designed to move air horizontally across all portions of the aircraft surface at a minimum of 60 feet per minute. The HVAC system is computer-controlled in order to maintain a preset temperature and humidity level in the paint dock at all times. In addition, sophisticated fan speed controls maintain a precise static pressure inside the paint dock relative to the adjacent areas and the exterior of the facility.
A compressed-air dryer/ filter system provides clean, dry air for paint application equipment, and a breathing air system affords protection for personnel during chemical and paint processes.
The facility has a centralized chemical and water distribution system for dock cleaning and paint preparation processes, and soft-water treatment is provided for all facility water. An exhaust system removes paint fumes and filters paint particulate to meet strict environmental regulations. Four telescoping platform cranes allow technicians access to all aircraft surfaces during preparation and painting operations. |
