Airport Announcements Today!

[Dwayne Wilder]

Two New Businesses at NTRA

The Grayson County Commissioners today approved a 40 year lease for Texas Turbine Conversions on a ‘build to lease’ structure on the west side of North Texas Regional Airport. It will be the first building, and Texas Turbine will be the first tenant, on the 200 acres of developable land opened by the completion of the SH 289 extension three years ago.

“Everything fell into place,” said Kim Bishop, Texas Turbine co-owner, with husband Bobby. “We have needed more space for a long time; and this fit our needs the best. It’s the ideal situation.”

“I’m excited they are here,” said Mike Shahan, NTRA director. “Anytime you bring in a company with a solid reputation and has been in business so long, it’s good for all of us.”

According to Shahan, Texas Turbines will ‘anchor’ the new development on the west side of NTRA, which is border by the US 289 extension. NTRA will build the facility, which will include a hangar. The agreement is for 40 years with the first 20 years ‘paying down the building’ and then the final 20 years becoming a normal ground lease at the airport.

Shahan noted that Texas Turbines will pay 15 percent of the $1.8 million project with NTRA and Grayson County paying the remainder.

“This really is a joint effort by all three of us,” said Shahan.

Bishop agreed that the opportunity to build a new hangar ‘has worked out best’ for Texas Turbines, which has spent its first 14 years in Celina. Bishop noted that airports in Denton and McKinney were considered as well, but NTRA in Grayson County turned out to be the best option.

“Sherman/Denison is a large area, but it still has that small town feel,” explained Bishop. “We think it has a great potential for us to hire employees and for growth in general. NTRA has great potential, too; and that can only help us.”

Bishop noted that the current 16 employees have recently finished moving to NTRA; into a temporary hangar. Texas Turbines will hire five more employees immediately and plan to have 25-40 in place as work dictates, she added.

“We are operational now; and ready to gear up for the move into our new building next June,” said Bishop.

Retired rear admiral Bill Retz, who does marketing and economic development for NTRA, said, “This is a major step for us; not only opening the new area, but also being able to provide a build to suit contract.”

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In a related announcement, Shahan said that US Aviation Academy, a flight school, moved into Building #111 on June 25. They moved their operation from Hondo, Texas. Shahan noted that there are 30 students currently in the program and it should grow to 60 students in the next month. US Aviation plans to have about 150 students in the school by next year, he added.

The school utilizes 17 aircraft for instruction and also occupies part of the former L3 Air Traffic Control Academy, which left late last year.

“We could not find a better location than NTRA. We intend to make this a world class international training facility,” said Mike Sykes, US Aviation president.

US Aviation Academy’s main offices are at Denton Municipal Airport.