Renovations Highlighted At Meridian Aviation
May 18--MERIDIAN --
Major renovations at the airline terminal; a new, state-of-the-art hangar at Dean Aircraft; and renovations at Meridian Aviation will all be celebrated at a dedication and open house sponsored by the Meridian Airport Authority on Tuesday from 4 p.m.-6 p.m.
The event, "Meridian Is Taking Flight," begins with a dedication ceremony at the terminal building. A display area will explain the renovation project, along with other projects under construction or proposed on airport property. Refreshments will be served at the terminal. Visitors will then have the opportunity to take complimentary shuttles to Dean Aircraft and Meridian Aviation to tour those sites.
"This is a rare opportunity for the public to see major improvements at all three of our properties," said Tom Williams, Meridian Airport Authority president, "especially Dean Aircraft, which is rarely open to the public."
The $2 million renovation project at the terminal, funded completely with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money, included expansion of both the public and the secure waiting areas; an upgraded exterior facade, including canopies on both the north and south sides for better protection from the weather; and interior improvements like re-faced center columns and new carpeting and flooring for a more contemporary look.
The new hangar and support facility at Dean Aircraft underscores Dean's reputation as one of the finest aircraft maintenance facilities in the region. The 33,000-square-foot facility includes a vast, 17,000-square-foot hangar that can hold 6-12 planes at a time, depending on the type of aircraft. The facility also includes a parts shop, a paint booth, equipment rooms, an aviation library and a pilot's lounge.
Meridian Aviation, the airport's fixed base operator (FBO), has undergone significant renovations in the last several years. Essentially a "gas station for airplanes," the FBO must compete with other, often larger, FBOs in the region to draw in pilots who have numerous options for getting their aircraft fueled. Meridian sets itself apart with competitive fuel prices, unrivaled customer service and lots of amenities like free ice cream, popcorn and hot dogs. Meridian Aviation consistently gets rave reviews from pilots who comment on aviation web sites.
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