In October 2011, Fostoria, Ohio-based Machine Tool & Fab Corp. was contacted by Executive Air in Charleston, W.Va. They were concerned about hangar doors at Yeager Field. Multiple doors, with swing up mullions, at their facility were experiencing problems with binding and derailing. Heavy wind conditions and even normal daily operation were becoming a problem for their tenants, since the existing rolling steel doors were continually coming off track and causing down time.
As a solution, Machine Tool and Fab, manufacturer of Para-Port doors proposed the installation of a Para-Port bottom roll fabric door. After an initial site visit by a Para-Port door engineer, a door size and budget were presented to Executive Air. Para-Port door engineers then worked with a local engineering firm in the Charleston area, as well as facilities personnel at the airport to get the building prepared to accept the new 55 1/2-foot by 20-foot door.
After a six-week build, the door was installed with Executive Air facilities personnel, a local steel fabrication contractor and Machine Tool and Fabrication engineer’s supervision. The installation took approximately five days to complete and was available to be put into service immediately.
Since the new door has been installed there has been little or no service needed other than regular preventative maintenance such as oil changes and bearing lubrication annually. With the Para-Port door simple design there has been no downtime due to service requirements since installation.
Since that installation was completed and put into service, a second door was installed to replace a rolling steel door on the field after it was destroyed by a windstorm. These two doors make a total of seven Para-Port doors on the flight line at Yeager Field.
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Jim Bodart is the general manager of Fostoria, Ohio-based Machine Tool & Fab Corp., manufacturer of Para-Port doors. To learn more, visit www.paraportdoor.com.