In the three years since acquiring its Orlando Sanford International airport facility – following a takeover of Sanford MRO – Constant Aviation has added nearly 35,000 sq ft of hangar space and invested more than $2 million in physical improvements. The company has now extended its hangar leases for an additional eight years. The extensions will allow Constant to serve customers in Florida and along the east coast through to the end of the decade.

“We took over this facility in 2017, and it enabled our business to simultaneously add capacity and increase our capabilities,” says COO Kevin Dillon. “We also operate aircraft maintenance facilities in Cleveland, Ohio, and a nationwide network of mobile technicians, and we have really benefitted from the traffic here at Orlando Sanford. At any given time, we have close to 20 in-work aircraft packed in our hangars and on the ramp. That's because Florida is one of the busiest states for private travel for both business and pleasure, and our location is perfectly situated in the middle of it all.”

The improvements made since Constant Aviation leased the facility have been several. In 2018 the aircraft interior modification centre was moved to its own dedicated space, having been previously housed in a general maintenance hangar. This expansion and reorganisation freed up existing hangar space for more maintenance work, and it also generated efficiencies throughout the facility.

Today, the entire property consists of five hangars encompassing nearly 110,000 sq ft of enclosed hangar floor space. The paint facility is capable of accommodating aircraft as large as a Gulfstream V, Falcon 7X or Global. Technicians can match custom colours for touch-ups on existing paint, or completely strip and repaint using exclusive paint schemes created by in-house designers. At the interior centre, cabinetmakers and upholsterers specialise in complete cabin reconfigurations and refurbishments. These modifications boost the comfort and usability of each aircraft for its operators. Other capabilities at Orlando Sanford include scheduled inspections, avionics upgrades and general maintenance on aircraft from a variety of manufacturers.

“Originally, the Orlando Sanford location specialised in Bombardier, Falcon and Hawker/Beech product lines,” Dillon continues. “In addition to increasing our hangar space over the last three years, we've invested in the necessary training and tooling to expand our capabilities to include aircraft from Embraer, Gulfstream and Textron. The diversification of aircraft has opened up many opportunities for us in Florida and the southeast, and it has introduced Constant Aviation to a broader group of owners and operators.”

In order to maintain this success, Constant Aviation has extended the leases at its paint and interior modification centres through 2028. The lease for its primary maintenance facility extends through 2030.

“Our original strategy with the Orlando Sanford location has been successful. First, we invested in the hangars and expanded the facilities to handle more aircraft. Second, we brought in the right technicians and leadership to increase our airframe capabilities. Now, we're securing our future by putting down roots and extending the leases. This will ensure we'll be able to continue to grow and meet our customers' needs long into the future,” Dillon concludes.