UAE-based Horizon Flight Academy has announced the successful completion of  three new helicopter hangars aimed at supporting its expanding business in the region.

The hangars were built by UK's Rubb Buildings, a global leader in the design and manufacture of custom made relocatable engineered fabric structures.

As per the contract, the hangars were set using three 23.4m x 36m steel and aluminium hybrid EFASS structures.

The UAE high flying academy, Horizon has been purpose built for flight training. It has set the benchmark for pilot training in the Middle East, offering fixed wing and helicopter pilot courses.

Its fleet includes Cessna 172SP, Diamond DA42, Bell 206 and Bell 407 aircraft and flight simulators. The hangars will be used for the storage and maintenance of the fleet helicopters.

Horizon CEO Hareb Thani Hareb Al Dhaheri said: “We chose Rubb for their reputation in design, development and deployment of temporary hangars. The installation of our hangars was speedy and efficient, the project was completed on time and as promised.”

"Horizon first viewed Rubb’s hitech hangar system at Idex 2011 in Abu Dhabi and the relationship grew from there," he stated.

"The UAE team then visited Rubb’s manufacturing plant in Gateshead, UK, and personnel from Rubb travelled to Al Ain to assist with site assessments and oversee the installation of the structures," he added.

This year, Rubb will be promoting its Expeditionary Forces Aircraft Shelter System (EFASS) at the Idex expo in Abu Dhabi which runs from February 17 to 21.

The EFASS shelter system, which features hangars, sunshades and warehouses, is uniquely suitable for the storage and maintenance of aviation equipment and operations. The system is designed to be rapidly deployed and quickly erected anywhere in the world.
 
The company worked with Al Futtaim Carillion during the construction of the aviation facilities and the installation was overseen by Rubb Erection Adviser Dave Cromarty.

The buildings were completed in six weeks, said project manager Andy Knox.

“It has been a challenge to launch the EFASS in the UAE because it was a completely new product and technology in that marketplace. But the team at Horizon really wanted this hangar system and have helped us to introduce this product range to the region," he stated.

"We have already received a number of enquiries and are looking forward to returning to Idex in 2013 to showcase this project further," he added.-TradeArabia News Service