The Friedman Memorial Airport Authority Board has awarded Clay Lacy Aviation a lease at the airport in Hailey, Idaho, serving Sun Valley and the communities throughout the Wood River Valley, to construct and operate a thoughtfully designed FBO on a 10 acre site.

“It is an honour to bring a sustainable approach while strengthening the general aviation experience at Friedman Memorial airport,” says Scott Cutshall, president of real estate and sustainability. “We understand and value this unique area, having flown to and from the airport for over five decades. That longevity leads us to take a community-focused approach to the design of our facilities and service.”

Construction will begin once designs are finalised and permits are received; design firm Gensler and local construction firms have experience building environmentally friendly facilities and features incorporated into a natural setting. The FBO will offer hangar spaces, indoor terminal facilities and ground services.

Clay Lacy has taken architectural inspiration from the Wood River Valley to implement design choices of stone, natural wood beams and light to create warm and inviting spaces, while honouring the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve. Like all of its other facilities since 2019, the new FBO will achieve carbon neutrality and is expected to receive LEED Gold certification for sustainability.

The company recently became the first FBO, aircraft management, maintenance and charter services provider to be accredited by the NBAA as a Sustainable Flight Department in the category of Infrastructure. It was also the first company to receive the 4Air sustainability rating of Facilities Neutral, and has expanded FBO partnerships with electric aircraft manufacturers such as Supernal for AAM operations.