National Police Air Service Helicopter Hangar

npas bournemouth airport helicopter hangar with police helicopter inside

Rubb helicopter hangar provides safe haven for National Police Air Service aircraft.

The National Police Air Service needed a new helicopter hangar after moving its Dorset base from police HQ to Bournemouth Airport.

Rubb helped NPAS meet that requirement with a custom designed helicopter hangar measuring 26m span x 17m long, with 7.5m high sidewalls. A Rubb Heli-Door in the front gable provides a clear opening of 21.5m wide x 5.5m high. The rear gable end includes a 4m x 4m roller shutter door and one personnel door. Each sidewall includes an additional personnel door for access and egress.

The Rubb ‘BVE’ aviation structure features Rubb’s traditional galvanized internal steel frame and a tapered lattice leg design. The building is clad with durable PVC Ferrari fabric, providing Sargaso blue walls and roof.

A canopy covered walkway links from rear of the helicopter hangar to the back of the modular office building on site.

Rubb worked with Wates and Mott McDonald to complete the project. Mott McDonald was selected by NPAS to provide the project design service in liaison with the MAG Property Team at Bournemouth Airport, Christchurch, Dorset. They were supported by Waites and Rubb throughout the process.

NPAS provides a national, borderless service making use of the nearest aircraft, enhancing the police service’s response. The underlying principle of NPAS is a national service, regionally coordinated for local delivery. NPAS provides an air service to 98% of the population of England and Wales within 20 minutes. Twenty-five NPAS aircraft reside at 23 strategic locations, ready for action 24 hours a day.

The Bournemouth based aircraft primarily operates in support of Dorset Police and Hampshire Constabulary, however, can deploy to other areas when necessary.

Rubb was able to provide a very rapid response to this building requirement. We secured the order in March and the aircraft hangar was manufactured and delivered to site for construction to begin in May. The project was completed by the end of the month. We used our experience and knowledge from working on Urgent Operation Requirements for the UK military to quickly complete this hangar for NPAS. We are delighted to have delivered this project and have proved again the benefits of a Rubb building in these circumstances.

Rubb UK Managing Director Ian Hindmoor

The facilities at the new hangar and base are excellent. It is an ideal location to operate from in order to service Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

NPAS Bournemouth Base Manager Sergeant Neil Cartwright