Aviation View Magazine | Volume 1, Issue 4

155 AVIATION VIEW VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 first one West of the Mississippi, and they almost immediately won FBO of the year. They have a 30,000 square foot hangar and almost as soon as it was finished, they had such confidence in demand at the airport that they began construction on a matching, second 30,000 square foot hangar to host additional large cabin size aircraft and associated office space. They also exercised an option for additional leasehold on the northeast side of the airport with room for an additional two or three hangars. The majority of aircraft hangered here are for general aviation, with substantial waiting lists for additional hangar space. We are looking at some ideas for going forward, but hangar space demand has been hard to keep up with.” The infrastructure project this year focused on rehabilitating Taxiway Alpha, which accesses the primary runway. They are looking to begin a taxiway extension on the south side of the airport, which will open even more land for development. Other projects that are being looked into are solar power, as well as electric vehicle chargers for the parking lots. “We have a 20-year Strategic Business Plan,” explains Miller, “which was done in conjunction with a consultant, Johnson Aviation. We also work with the Jeffco Economic Development Corporation. There is so much demand in terms of aeronautical companies wanting space that we have to look at who is in the best interests of the airport to bring in. So, we rank and prioritize what to do next for infrastructure, and whom to offer lease agreements to, and we use that plan as our guide.” While there are quite a few different businesses and organizations at RMMA, it would be remiss not to mention that the airport has five flight schools, offering instruction in both fixed-wing and helicopter flight. Of particular note, the McAir Facility which offers a bachelor’s degree in aeronautics and technology through Spartan College or Metro State University – so no matter ROCKY MOUNTA IN METROPOL I TAN A I RPORT what level of commitment you have towards aviation, you can prepare for it at RMMA. “During COVID, everything shut down in terms of public events,” Miller admits, “and it was like there was this latent build-up of demand to do things. We had a weekend recently where the airport simultaneously hosted an AIR POWER History Tour, as well as a plane-pull fundraiser for the Special Olympics Colorado. There were thousands of people on the field that day just enjoying everything about aviation. It felt great!” Adjacent to the airport is a business park, VERVE, which houses a FedEx facility and Quality Bike