Phazar Getting Bigger To Take on Bigger Projects

Phazar Flight Support at Meacham nternational Airport in Fort Worth, Texas, is expanding. In particular, its aircraft refurbishment center, due for completion this month, is growing. The new facility includes a 44,000-sq-ft hangar devoted to completion work and the company is already converting two MD-87 airliners to executive/VIP configuration. The cabins are designed to accommodate 19 passengers in comfort with a stateroom with private lavatory, two conference groupings with a berthable divan and a lounge area with full bar.

According to managing partner Brian Perryman, the number of airliners available for conversions is driving a boom in the refurbishment business. The two MD-87s now undergoing cabin conversion were retired and likely sold for about $14 million each. Both are being equipped with auxiliary fuel tanks that will give them a range of some 6,000 nm. The first MD-87 is scheduled for delivery next month and the second will follow a month later. A third MD-87 will be finished on spec and three more are possible. Perryman said Phazar is also bidding on a nearby 80,000-sq-ft hangar that it would convert to a combination completion facility and paint bay.