FBO Makes Ready for BBJs, A319CJ s and More

Rifton Aviation Services plans to open one of the largest and most unusual-looking business aviation facilities in the Northeast. The complex is to be built on a 22-acre plot at the so-called Golden Triangle (the intersection of the two main runways) at Newburgh, NY's Stewart International Airport.

Final approval is pending the outcome of negotiations between Rifton and state officials. Possibly delaying that outcome is the fact that the state-owned airport currently is going through a privatization management process. Nevertheless, Rifton hopes to have a ground breaking in early 1999 and open its business aviation "super center" by early 2000.

What makes the facility unusual is its design concept, not to mention its enormous size. An artist's rendition shows a dual-hangar configuration separated in the center by maintenance shops on the first floor and a soaring, glass-domed atrium-like executive terminal with the crew and passenger amenity areas on the second and third floors. In addition to housing the maintenance shops, the ground floor serves as the service through-way between each hangar.

The hangars themselves are immense: each side is capable of sheltering three Boeing Business Jets or Airbus A319CJs simultaneously, according to Rifton President Christian Domer. The structure will have a jetway connecting the passenger lounge with BBJ and A319CJ size aircraft. Large hangar doors will be located on each side of the hangar, opposite each other and running the length of the hangar to avoid cumbersome stacking of aircraft. The hangars will feature radiant heat, infrared smoke detection, and foam fire suppression systems. The dual-hangar design will allow Rifton to separate transient traffic from based-aircraft activities.

The objective behind the unusual design is to integrate passenger and crew amenity areas and keep them close to the aircraft, yet distinctly separate from the maintenance, baggage handling and line service activity and personnel. What's more, Rifton's Domer envisions the FBO as a "destination in itself." The main concourse will house retail outlets-such as a pilot supply store, gift shop and gourmet restaurant. A concierge will provide visitors with a full array of services-"from dry cleaning and fax transmittal, to obtaining theater tickets," Domer said.

For passengers who want to conduct a business meeting quickly and efficiently, the new Rifton facility will have "VIP rooms with telephones and computer data ports. Food service will be available." Conference rooms with audio-visual equipment will be a part of the complex, too. Amenities for the crew include snooze rooms, a lounge with satellite TV and VCR, showers, a sauna, and a "fully equipped" exercise room, as well as a "state-of-the-art" flight planning area.

Rifton itself does not plan to offer maintenance, but could be expected to rent space to suppliers who specialize in such services. The new facility will take over the line service and hangar operations that Rifton currently has in a more obscure location on the airport. Once the transition is complete, the old site will serve as a dedicated facility for business aviation tenants.

Visitors to Rifton's Booth 2133 will see a large rendering of the planned facility. At the same time, they can enter a raffle to win a personal-size replica of a seven-foot stainless steel sculpture of an eagle in flight by noted wildlife artist Barney Boller. The solid bronze replica is valued at $3,000.

By Gordon A. Gilbert