San Luis Valley Regional Fuel Farm

Swanson Rink completed another successful fueling project, this time for the San Luis Valley Regional Airport. The fueling design for the installation of two new aviation fuel tanks (one for Jet A and one for AVGAS) helped the airport to comply with State codes and current industry standards. The airport’s transformation makes it a crucial tool for the region, giving the airport the resources to meet the standards of a Class 1 Commercial Service Airport, bringing both improved access and the potential for economic growth.

With more than 50 years of airport fueling system expertise, we engineer for JETA, MOGAS, AVGAS and CNG used for ramp vehicles; and our work has included design for tank farms and hydrant distribution systems as well as truck loading.

Click here to read more about the San Luis Valley Regional Fuel Farm.

Thought Leadership Series: Passenger Journey

Improving the Passenger Journey: A Systems Approach

In 2019, Swanson Rink analyzed the Passenger Security Screening Checkpoint at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) to determine the right number of checkpoint lanes for passenger load. The study revealed interesting possibilities, but then the pandemic hit.

With the onset of the Covid pandemic, touchless processes and social distancing became pressing concerns, so we returned to the original study and expanded our analysis to encompass the entire passenger journey from curbside to boarding. We investigated new technologies and protocols to identify the most effective means of establishing a safe, secure, journey that is not only touchless and seamless but also cost effective for stakeholders and passengers.

The expanded study focused on reducing queues and time-in-system throughout the passenger journey. We captured metrics that included the percent of passengers processed in less than ten minutes, number of passengers in queue, number of passengers that missed their flights, and the number of lanes or pieces of equipment required to process passengers at each stage in the travel journey.

Read more about our findings based on a Systems Approach at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. 

 

Denver Approves $1.3B Great Hall Completion Plan

Denver

Earlier this week, Denver City Council approved Denver International Airport’s $1.3 billion proposed plan for the Great Hall Completion, the final phase of the Great Hall Project. DEN will immediately begin design work on the Completion Phase and plans to start construction later this year, with expected completion between spring 2027 and summer 2028, with sections opening along the way.  Approval comes at a crucial time for the project, as DEN will move forward with the design work using personnel already working on the current project, including Swanson Rink!

The Great Hall Completion Phase will include:

  • Improved safety for passengers. An additional new security checkpoint with enhanced technology on the northeast side of Level 6. With the completion of this second checkpoint, both checkpoints on Level 5 will be relocated to Level 6. At the same time, this will enable DEN to add more screening lanes, increasing capacity by more than 60%.
  • Modern and spacious ticketing areas. New check-in areas will be built on the south end of Level 6 for all remaining airlines, not just United, Southwest and Frontier. These modular spaces will provide greater flexibility for airline expansion and other changing needs in the future.
  • Upgraded facility. The project will renovate restrooms and replace flooring, lighting, heating, cooling and fire protection systems and elevators/escalators. These improvements will save DEN approximately $200-250 million in maintenance costs over 10 years.
  • Comfortable spaces to meet and greet travelers. This includes both domestic and international arrivals on Level 5.
  • Developing a pipeline of aviation talent. Building and creating DEN’s Center of Excellence and Equity in Aviation, which will be constructed on Level 4 of the Westin Denver International Airport. The Center will engage, educate, empower, motivate, and provide opportunities for students who are under-represented and young people who are interested in and passionate about careers in aviation. It will help build a future skilled workforce and become a focal point for aviation knowledge and best practices.

Read more about the approval here.

Northern Colorado Regional Airport Reaches 30% Design

rendering courtesy of VFLA

An exciting milestone achievement as the future terminal facility at the Northern Colorado Regional Airport (FNL) reaches 30% design. The 26,000 sf building includes two ticket counters, baggage and security areas, departure lounges, concession stands and airport offices in its first phase, with room to add a second story when needed. Swanson Rink is providing full MEP, Fire Protection, BHS, and Security Screening design for the project. Read more about our aviation services here.

Rendering courtesy: VFLA

CREJ Features ARFF Facility

Swanson Rink’s design for the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Facility (ARFF) in Casper was recently featured in the Colorado Real Estate Journal. As the only 100% diesel fuel training facility in the US, the project’s unique and flexible design allows for customized first-responder safety training. The project involved renovating and expanding the existing ARFF facility, the purchase of a new 3,000-gallon ARFF vehicle and an expansion of the public safety building to add dedicated training space.  Read more about the project and watch a video of a test burn here.

Article located here: Colorado Real Estate Journal Features ARFF

Project Opening: New State-of-the-Art Airport Rescue and Firefighting Facility

 

Swanson Rink is thrilled the new Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Facility at Casper/Natrona County International Airport is online and operational. Our team provided design for the training fuel storage, burner fuel delivery systems, and control system for this 100% diesel fuel ARFF facility.

Today, Casper/Natrona International Airport held a ceremony to dedicate its new $9.3 million state-of-the-art Airport Rescue and Firefighting Facility (ARFF). Casper is among only a few airports in the western U.S. with facilities to train first responders responsible for extinguishing aircraft fires. All commercial airports are required by the Federal Aviation Administration to have trained ARFF personnel on-site and they must receive training annually.

Unlike other recently constructed ARFF facilities, the new Casper facility will continue to employ a diesel fuel system, which is the most similar in character and nature to jet fuel. The fueling systems, designed by Swanson Rink, allow for burns to be customized based on the needs of the first-responder training.  This includes flexibility to adjust for varying amounts of fuel to simulating responses for different zones of the aircraft, from cockpit fires to auxiliary power unit fires in the tail, in addition to providing training opportunities for exterior engine and wheel fires. Learn more about our aviation expertise and services here.