ISG Secures BA Flight Training Campus at Heathrow

ISG has been awarded a £multi-million scheme by British Airways to create a world class flight training campus at its East Maintenance Base, located on the eastern margins of London Heathrow Airport. Occupying two existing buildings, the new training campus will house 16 state-of-the-art aircraft simulators, alongside extensive learning facilities.

The project sees ISG carry out extensive modifications to Technical Building Block A (TBA) and the adjacent Technical Building Block C (TBC). Formerly an engineering workshop, TBA will now house one of the largest suites of aircraft simulators in the world. The Flight Simulator Training Hall will be located within the grade II listed structure, which boasts an impressive architectural pedigree and a stunning arched concrete roof on canted trusses. To create the facility, ISG will carefully strip out the building and install a two-storey mezzanine structure running the full length of the 300m hall to service the flight simulators.

Two of the world’s most sophisticated flight training simulators are already housed within TBA for pilot training on the new A380 Airbus and B787 Dreamliner. The new simulators will remain operational throughout the duration of the project. Following the completion of ISG’s project, British Airways will relocate a further 14 existing simulators from its nearby Cranebank Training facility to create the new world-class centre of excellence. ISG will also be required to implement robust programme planning measures during the TBA redevelopment due to the proximity of four large aircraft maintenance hangars either side of the main simulator hall, which will be in continuous use during the project.

At the 10-storey TBC building, ISG will carry out a comprehensive strip out back to shell and core, reconfiguring and fitting out the floors to Cat B specification. Working across floors one, nine and ten, the contractor will deliver approximately 200,000 sq. ft. of high specification office and training accommodation. One floor of the building will be occupied by British Airways at all times during the refurbishment, which sees the replacement of existing mechanical and electrical services and the installation of a new barrel-shaped skylight at first floor level. The fit out includes the creation of an auditorium, as well as a restaurant and a full range of offices, meeting rooms, training facilities and learning resources across the three floors. The project is scheduled for completion in spring 2014.

Paul Cossell, managing director of ISG Fit Out, commented: “Securing such a high profile project with British Airways reflects our outstanding credentials delivering complex and strategically important facilities for international clients. This dedicated campus is set to become one of the world’s leading flight training facilities for the global aviation industry and I’m delighted that ISG will play such a prominent role in its creation.”

Nick Hann; Tel: 07970 275251; Email: nick.hann@isgplc.com

ISG Plc is an international construction services company delivering fit out, construction and a range of specialist services, with 31 offices worldwide. The company works with owners, developers and occupiers in the public and private sector for an extensive range of industries.  ISG Plc was established in 1989 and has been quoted on AIM since 1998. Today the company has a turnover of around £1.1 billion.

For further information about ISG please visit our website www.isgplc.com