On the Rebound
As we all realize, the tragic events of September 11, 2001 have changed our lives forever. Likewise, the many industries which support and service our national aviation system have been affected in far reaching ways.
Commercial and general aviation have seen budgets slashed and reappropriated like never before. Aviation spending in the aftermath of 9/11 is appropriately dominated by increased security measures while expansion projects have been cancelled or put on hold until budget concerns are alleviated. Indeed, these are very tryin gtimes for the aviation community.
Yet, our aviation system will rebound and become stronger as a result of these events and general aviation, as always, will be major player. In fact, GA may play a larger role as many travelers experience the efficiency and safety of private aircraft for the first time.
In this issue of "T-Hangar Times" , we focus on an impressive example of general aviation growth at Frederick Municpal Airport (FDK) in Maryland. Thanks to the collective efforts of dedicated airport officials and local private sector interests, the airport recently completed its first T-Hangar development in over 50 years. We are proud to have been a part of this 80 unit project, which is overlooked by AOPA's National headquarters.

Frederick Municipal Airport
In December of 1999, the T-Hangar Task Force at the Frederick Municap Airport invited Fulfab to a meeting to discuss plans for their T-Hangar project. The comments and suggestions made at that meeting were incorporated into plans and specifications published in October of 2000.

On December 5, 2000, the city of Frederick received bids for eighty units of bifold door T-Hangars along with drainage and site improvements. The successful bidder was C.William Hetzer, Inc. A general contractor from Hagerstown, Maryland.During the next three months, the general contractor carefully evaluated T-Hangar proposals from three manufacturers. Fulfab's was the on ly proposal to feature a fully-integrated building and bifold door system with steel erection performed by the hangar manufacturer. In mid-March of 2001, Fulfab was awarded a contract to furnish and erect seven T-Hangar buildings housing a total of eighty aircraft. Within two weeks after award of contract, drawings were prepared, sealed and submitted to the City of Frederick for plan review and permit purposes. Six of the seven buildings were twelve unit Model LK42 Hangars with 42' x 12' bifold doors. The seventh building was an eight unit Model LK48 Hangar with 48' x 14' bifold doors.

Since each building comprised an area greater than 12,000 square feet, a fire separation wall was required in the middle of each building. Other features common to each building were full-height interior partition wallsl, a door and window in each corner space, and two inch thick fiberglass roof insulation. The southernmost building was also equipped with restroom facilities.

The general contractor began the extensive drainage and site work on April 2, 2001. The allotted time for completion was 250 calendar days with a $1,000 per day penalty for late completion. Fulfab was contractually obligated to complete the steel erection within fifteen consecutive weeks. Working from North to South, the general contractor provided the first two building sites to us in the first half of August.
Steel erection work began on August 21, with one crew on site. Two weeks later the first building was nearly complete and ready for the electrical and firewall contractors to begin. At that time the next two buildings were delivered and two Fulfab crews began working simultaneously. Two of our erection crews were on site for approximately half the duration of the job.Thirteen weeks after starting, the seventh building was completed on November 19, and turned over to the other subcontractors. Two years of planning and work came to fruition on December 13, 2001, when a T-Hangar dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony was held. Phil Boyer, President of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, along with Bruce Mundle, Director of the Maryland Office of Regional Aviation Assistance were among those who helped dedicate the hangar complex.

The following is an excerpt from a letter to Fulfab from the Project Manager for the Frederick Municipal Airport job.
"As our project comes to a close, I want to take this opportunity to thank Fulfab and you personally for your efforts in constructing the "T"-hangar buildings at the Frederick Municipal Airport. Fulfab exceeded my expectations beginning with the cooperation received in the bid process and continuing through the completion of final punch list items. In particular I attribute your professionalism and attention to detail during the submittal phase for helping us overcome what might have been a regulatory nightmare. I'm not quite sure how the problem would have been resolved without your expertise.

Also, please extend my sincere gratitude to everyone in your construction crew. I received excellent field reports on their willingness to work with other building trades and for their expert workmanship. As a result, the hangars were finished on-time and on-budget which is the basic goal all project managers strive to achieve."

Maintenance Guide & Checklist

We recommend that you inspect and lubricate your Fulfab T-Hangars and bifold doors at regular six month intervals. Reproduced above is our maintenance checklist with procedures that should be performed on each bifold door hangar unit.

Each procedure is referenced on the checklist with a drawing number which will help you to locate the parts requiring your attention. We can provide copies of these drawings to you free of charge.

Any worn or damaged parts should be reported and replacement parts secured before the doors are used further. Fulfab maintains a complete stock of replacement parts.