TWO mobile cranes have hoisted into place the main trusses for a new hangar and flight simulator centre being built by regional contractor Kier Eastern for Ryanair at Stansted Airport.

TWO mobile cranes have hoisted into place the main trusses for a new hangar and flight simulator centre being built by regional contractor Kier Eastern for Ryanair at Stansted Airport.

The purpose-built facility, designed to support a diverse range of operational requirements under one roof, is capable of accommodating up to five Boeing 737 aircraft at any one time.

The “tandem” lift was a key stage in the £11million design and build project being undertaken for the low-cost airline by the Witham office of Kier Eastern, part of the Kier Group.

The scheme design, prepared by consulting engineering practice Equipment Solutions, measures around 128metres by 58metres and with a maximum height approaching 25metres. The cavernous interior will be supported by four structural steel trusses, designed and fabricated by Barrett Steel Buildings, of Bradford.

The first two (pictured), together weighing 100 tonnes, were connected together on the ground before being hoisted into place, using two 300 tonne-capacity mobile cranes from Peterborough Crane Hire.

Kier Eastern project manager Mark Lockley said: “Lifting the first two trusses as a pair provides us with a more stable structure to start with. We can then lift each of the two remaining trusses individually and connect them securely to the existing steel structure.”

Each truss provides a clear span of 124metres, allowing maximum access space for aircraft. As well as aircraft maintenance, the giant hangar will house three storeys of workshops, offices and crew training facilities at the rear, including two flight simulators to be installed during the building programme.

The 38-week programme, scheduled to finish on October 6, also includes construction of a nearby warehouse facility covering around 1,680 sq metres.