A remodeling project to improve office and classroom space for a U.S. Navy training program is underway at Meacham International Airport.
“Helicopter Institute leases space in Meacham’s administration building and hangars on the airfield,” Kevin Neal, a spokesperson for the City of Fort Worth, wrote in an email to The Dallas Express. “Recently, they received a contract with the Navy to provide helicopter training for Navy personnel.”
According to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing, the estimated construction cost is $150,000 for 6,220 square feet of space. The project is expected to be complete by Nov. 17.
“My understanding is this is the first time the Navy has used a private contractor for helicopter training,” Neal said. “They have been busy creating additional classrooms for ground instruction, flight simulators, meeting space (and) general administration.”
Randy Rowles, president of Helicopter Institute, could not be reached for comment.
According to its website, Helicopter Institute operates from Meacham, near Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth.
“The numerous arrivals and departures of small aircraft enable the student to become comfortable with busy airport traffic without experiencing delays normally encountered when training is conducted at an airport (that) has a large volume of air traffic,” the site says.
Meacham opened in 1925, according to its website. It has two runways, more than 1 million square feet of hangar space, three full-service fixed-based operators, flight schools, maintenance facilities and aviation museums. It supports about 100 operations annually.
Created in 1994 as the country’s first joint reserve base, the naval air station in Fort Worth provides support and training for Reserve and Guard “war fighters” in every branch of the armed services, according to the Navy’s website.
