Silver Maple Aviation has emerged as a significant player in the aviation infrastructure sector, leaving an indelible mark with its innovative projects. Company president Sean Flynn shares insights into their journey from high-end residential projects to the aviation space.

Unleashing Ingenuity in Aviation Infrastructure

Building Off-Site for Larger Projects

Silver Maple Construction's roots lie in high-end, tricky residential and subcommercial projects. As they started with a few craft people in a pickup truck, they were constantly tasked with more complex jobs. Building off-site became crucial when they moved into larger projects at a distance. This led Flynn to become a pilot, enabling him to manage projects more easily. For instance, the off-the-grid, 35,000 square foot custom-built home with a helipad on the roof demonstrated their skills. The project site was only open for six months due to its location on a mountain with no road. They learned a lot about mass building and green sustainable construction during this project, which paved the way for their foray into the aviation industry.

The Concord Hangar Project

The 210-foot-long-by-170-foot-wide hangar built for a private flight department in New Hampshire is believed to be the largest wooden structure on the east coast. Initially, they considered a steel hangar but then opted for mass timber. Securing permits, designing in-house, fabricating, and erecting the hangar took 13 months. Mass timber not only gives an aesthetic appeal but is also carbon neutral. This project showcased Silver Maple Aviation's tenacity and ability to handle challenging tasks. The fact that they could offset the carbon footprint with their work is exciting and in line with the industry's growing focus on sustainability.

Constructing an Airport on a Remote Island

In British Columbia, Silver Maple Aviation constructed an entire airport on a remote island. It has a 3,000-by-60-foot paved runway and a mass timber hangar, completed in just seven months. The challenges of building from a distance were mitigated by Flynn's regular flights to Canada to check on the project status. Negotiating with the First Nations people and transporting materials from Vermont to the project site required a lot of effort. This project demonstrated their attention to detail and willingness to take on complex projects.

Commercial and Residential Pursuits

The Concord project put Silver Maple Aviation on the map in the aviation world, leading to an increase in business. They are now building steel hangars around the east coast and working on general aviation infrastructure at Pease Airport in New Hampshire. They are also constructing a new hangar adjacent to the Beta Technologies facility in Vermont and designing hangar homes at multiple airports. Alongside commercial projects, they are looking to showcase their residential roots at airparks. Working with fly-in communities, they combine their craftsmanship with aviation experience to meet the high-quality standards of clients seeking beautiful hangars and homes.