Turner served as Construction Manager, guiding the project from planning through substantial completion on an accelerated schedule.
The facility supports United's expanding pilot training needs-particularly for certification on the 737 Max and 70 Airbus A321neo aircraft-and includes 12 full flight simulator (FFS) bays, six fixed training devices (FTDs), as well as office and training room space. Building H was designed and built to accommodate both current and future Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP/fGMP) standards, further enhancing the functionality and future-readiness of United's training operations.
Challenge
The project faced multiple challenges including severe weather events. United's mandate remained clear: the first two simulator bays had to be delivered without disruption to training operations or overruns in budget schedule, while ensuring the new building matched the campus aesthetic with a brick-clad exterior.
Solution
Turner and BRPH delivered the project through a Design-Build partnership built on collaboration, transparency, and schedule certainty. The guiding mantra-'Two Bays in May'-kept the entire team aligned on the critical milestone of early simulator delivery.
Delivering the project on an active campus required precise coordination. The team scheduled tie-ins off-hours, established a secure and separated construction zone, and maintained a clean, organized site through Lean and 5S practices. A culture of trust and transparency allowed quick resolution of issues, while thoughtful budgeting enabled prudent risk-taking without jeopardizing cost.
Even severe setbacks, such as a record-breaking rain event that threatened to delay simulator turnover, were overcome through relentless commitment. The project team worked around the clock to protect the facility, demonstrating the collaborative, all-hands mindset that defined the job.
The Design-Build approach enabled rapid decision-making, continuous stakeholder engagement, and integrated design and construction planning. Early design-thinking workshops, phased permitting, and progressive scheduling ensured the project remained adaptable to shifting scope. The strategy centered on building a fully functional, self-contained 'building within a building,' complete with utilities, egress, and life-safety systems, to enable turnover of two simulator bays months before full project completion.
The project team leaned into challenges beyond contractual obligations-such as adjusting fire alarm reporting methods and ensuring critical utilities were operational-to allow simulator certification without delay.
Results
COMPLETION OF BUILDING H IN
ON BUDGET: Supported by proactive scope management and the flexibility of a Guaranteed Maximum Price contract.
PERFORMANCE & SUSTAINABILITY: LEED Silver certification achieved through energy-efficient systems, a robust building management system, and a rooftop photovoltaic array.
COMMUNITY IMPACT: Over 20% of subcontracted work was awarded to local businesses.
The project became a model of proactive risk management, design-build collaboration, and lean execution. By delivering early simulator capacity, adapting to evolving scope, and ensuring uninterrupted campus operations, Turner established a new benchmark for high- performance aviation training facilities. United recognized the effort as one of the most seamless and successful projects in its history.
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