Earlier this year, I was offered the opportunity to decorate the lobby area at the McKinney National Airport. As a pilot, you can only imagine my joy and excitement at the chance to decorate an airport…but especially the airport I fly out of!
In November 2013, the Collin County Regional Airport was bought by the City of McKinney and the name changed to McKinney National Airport. The City also took over the FBO operations. An FBO (fixed-base operator) is a commercial business granted the right by an airport to operate on the airport and provide aeronautical services such as fueling, hangars, tie-downs, etc. To run the FBO the City also hired a new General Manager.
Under this new leadership, plans began taking shape for the renovation of the entire space. This is what we started with..
The original footprint did not change, instead the space was treated with new flooring, new paint colors, stone accents and new furnishings, which give the space a polished and timeless feel.
One of my favorite times on this project was getting to hang the Travel Air from the ceiling. I seem to have an affinity for hanging things from the ceiling. (If you follow my blog you’ve probably seen my Christmas tree!)
The plane is a functional RC (remote control) model of a 1928 Braniff Travel Air 6000. It was generously given to us on permanent loan by Gordon and Mike Darnell of Mikes Hobby Shop. It is named Ship No. 4, because it was the 4th ship in the Braniff fleet.
More Before pictures of the lobby.
The front desk was reconfigured to accommodate more counter area.
We installed a stone fireplace wall, which houses the flight information TV and an electric fireplace.
The new display case showcases the FBO and Control Tower’s recent 1st Place 2014 Pilot’s Choice Awards by Flt.Plan.com
The space previously occupied by Monarch was opened up and revamped into various areas for pilots and their passengers to relax in comfort. Before, glass doors separate the two spaces.
Removing the glass created a more open feel and better flow.
The “new” space consists of a comfortable TV area. The photos featured on the walls are by aviation photographer, and fellow pilot, Jim Wilson of Jim Wilson Photography.
Two game tables with built-in checkers and backgammon boards. The dice and play pieces are available anytime at the front desk.
I like to think of this space as the “Future Pilot’s” area.
McKinney Air Center has added 2 amenities to the FBO: A theater room and a small conference room.
The Theater Room is equipped with Netflix and fully black-out shades. Pilots and their passengers can sit fully reclined, watch a movie, snooze or both!
The walls of the small conference room are lined with shirt-tails of pilots who have soloed at McKinney National Airport.
As a GA (general aviation) pilot myself, it was important to me to highlight and honor the large and important GA activity at McKinney National Airport. There are 3 clubs and a school that operate out of this airport: the North Texas Flying Club (of which I’m a member), the Texins, EAA and Monarch…each promoting General Aviation and teaching students how to fly.
In the days of tandem trainers, the student pilot sat in the front seat, with the instructor behind. During these early times in aviation, there were often no radios and the instructor would tug on the student pilot’s shirt-tail to get their attention. A successful first solo flight is an indication that the student can fly without the instructor, and therefore there is no longer a need for the shirt-tail. So it is cut off by the proud instructor, and often displayed by the student.
My shirt-tail is the first on the bottom to the right of the picture.
The conference room features a fantastic picture of the old tower being demolished with the new one already built in the background.
In the Dining area, the propeller was donated by Garry Ackerman of the North Texas Flying Club. The prop is real, although no longer functional and belonged to one of the club planes.
The black & white photographs of McKinney in the Dining area were photographed by Joe Ownbey of Ownbey Photography.
Posing for a picture with Mark Jaraczewski, FBO General Manager/Assistant Airport Director and Ken Wiegand, Executive Director 
On June 28th McKinney Air Center had it’s Grand Opening…
I will miss getting to “play” at the airport.
Hope I’ve Inspired!
Alba, your amazing. Thank you. Mark
Wow! I was unable to attend the grand opening, so I made it a point to tour the new space Thursday after I flew. I am so impressed. I had no idea how extensive the renovation would be. Monarch was gone and now a movie room, flight planning room and even a kids, future pilot area, how cool is that. Well done Alba!
Alba, I did not get to go the opening as I had planned, so thanks for the photos what an awesome transformation, you make MC Kinney proud, I absolutely love what you did with the McKinney Airport. You are amazing,
Alba,
What a terrific job you did renovating the airport. They picked the right decorator when they chose you.
Congratulations on a job well done.