Skanska builds for takeoff with new Butler Tech Aviation Education Hangar

“This project is truly special,” says Nate Minnich-Weber, project executive. “There isn’t another high school-level aviation education program in the country quite like this one. The students in Greater Cincinnati will be job-ready right out of high school.”

What started as a pilot program in a repurposed hangar, has grown into a full-fledged technical campus, where students will learn aircraft maintenance, engineering and private piloting. Built with expansion in mind, the new building triples Butler Tech’s current program space and includes flexible learning environments to support evolving careers.

From the start, Butler Tech had a clear vision. “The client was able to see where the aviation industry is headed and wanted to give students every opportunity to meet those needs,” says Nate. “They outgrew their original space and found the funding and momentum to make something bigger happen.”

A significant investment backed by multiple public funding sources, including ARPA grants, the project grew from an initial budget of under $10 million to more than $15 million. And demand is already high.

“They’re forecasting to be at full capacity on day one,” says Nate. “And already planning for possible expansions in the future.”

“Our partnership with Skanska has transformed an idea into an unparalleled opportunity for students,” says William Sprankles, superintendent of Butler Tech. “This facility doesn’t just connect them to aircraft, it connects them to a network of professionals, employers, and experiences that will shape their lives and strengthen our region’s workforce.”

Through collaborative planning sessions with public stakeholders, educators and even students, the team developed a layout that merges form with function. From the air, the building’s shape nods to an airplane. On the ground, its glazed front and rear façades create a clear line of sight straight to the airport’s main runway—reinforcing the program’s mission.

The project includes a 9,000-square-foot hangar for hands-on work with small engine aircraft, seamless access to classrooms, labs and the adjacent northern hangar.

“The building was designed with overhead doors on the runway side to open directly from the classroom for convenient access to the new hangar building and onto the airfield,” says Nate.

Building at an operational airfield brought technical and regulatory complexities. Skanska coordinated closely with Butler Tech, the Design Team, the City of Middletown, Ohio Department of Transportation, and the FAA, both regionally and in Washington, D.C. to gain necessary approvals and ensure safety.

“Getting through the FAA process was a big hurdle, but we started early and worked as a team,” says Nate. “We built a plan that kept construction contained, protected air traffic operations and still met funding and scheduling requirements.”

Despite beginning construction in December, Skanska stayed on track through careful planning and proactive scheduling.

This marks Skanska’s second major collaboration with Butler Tech, following the successful completion of its Natural Science Center during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. That experience helped lay the foundation for the hangar’s success.

“There’s a high level of trust and understanding between our teams,” says Nate. “We brought many of the same people from the last project to this one, both on our side and Butler Tech’s, and it’s made all the difference.”

Looking Ahead

As Butler Tech prepares to welcome the next wave of students into the hangar, Skanska is proud to be part of a project that is not just building a facility, but building futures.

“Construction is not easy,” Nate reflects. “But this project has been something special. Every meeting has been positive and working with a client who’s this engaged and forward-thinking makes it enjoyable to come to work.”