The fixed base operator for McClellan Airport (MCC) recently announced the remodel of their facilities that includes an updated pilot lounge, meeting rooms, and refreshment station.

The multi million dollar project was completed about five months ago, said McClellan Jet Services Executive Vice President William “Bill” Appleton. In an exclusive interview with Wingman, Appleton said the project was long overdue.

The building that is now home to McClellan Jet Services once served as the base operations facility when McClellan was an active Air Force base, Appleton said. Aside from some small changes over the years, he said the facility had remained largely unchanged.

“We had done some light modifications and refurbs here and there, but it still had that Air Force base feel,” Appleton said. “The ownership group decided this is the first spot when someone comes into Sacramento. This is a good representation of Sacramento.”

As a former military installation, the building’s interior lacked many of the amenities that are now readily available at the FBO, Appleton said.

“It was just room after room after room and nothing worked together,” Appleton said. “Coffee was over here, but the ice was over here. So when we designed it, we tried to bring as many of those things together.”

Construction work included taking the facility down to load bearing walls and rebuilding from there, Appleton said. Working around some space constraints, the new design consolidated the coffee and refreshment bar into one space and relocated the restroom facilities. The expanded coffee bar has been popular with the flight crews that make up the majority of McClellan Jet Services’ customers, Appleton said.

“We’re very happy with it, I’ve been in it for about five months, so still a little getting used to.” Appleton said. “We try to pack as many amenities as we could into the facility for the customers and the crews.”

The project will help McClellan Airport stay competitive with other airports across the country, bringing McClellan Jet Services up to what Appleton called a “national well-recognized level.” 

McClellan Jet Services can be found at 3028 Peacekeeper Way and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The FBO operates over 30 acres of ramp space and about 220,000 square feet of hangar space with around the clock security, according to the company’s website. Tiedowns and T-shades are also available. The operator also offers transient parking, crew cars, office space, on-site catering, passenger and pilot’s lounge, and 24/7 line services with NATA Safety 1st trained technicians.