Top Gun’s got nothing on Kimpton

Top Gun’s got nothing on Kimpton, flying in to deliver a £2.2m project at RAF Valley

Expert heating and ventilation specialist Kimpton have been appointed by Kier Construction to deliver the £2.2M mechanical and electrical services contract for the construction of new training facilities at RAF Valley in Anglesey. These are being built as part of a £175M investment in the basic flying training operation within the UK military flying training system.

Originally opened in 1941, the airfield was built to provide an aerial defence for the North West of England and its industrial importance during the war. It was also to protect the shipping channels in the Irish Sea. In 1954, Post War, it was repurposed to become an advanced flying school and began training future pilots on Vampire and Meteor jet Aircraft.

RAF Valley delivers the second phase of training for pilots. Prior to arrival at Valley, they start with elementary flying training, progressing onto Basic flying training, using Texan T1 turbo props, before arriving there to begin training for the Hawk T2 Jet Trainer.

This new development will create a new home for a new high-fidelity flight simulator and additional space for mission planning systems.

For North Wales and Anglesey in particular, it’s a significant investment that will create long-term skilled jobs for flying instructors, operational staff and engineers.

For almost 60 years innovator in renewable technology Kimpton have been appointed to deliver high-level projects, including two UK firsts in sustainable technology – the UK’s first water source heat pumps in open sea at Plas Newydd, Anglesey for the National Trust and one of the UK’s first Transpired Solar Collectors at the SBEC Building on Deeside with TATA Steel.

Matt Breakwell from Kimpton commented “We are proud to have been appointed to this project, and look forward to utilising the most environmentally friendly, innovative systems to the new development including air source heat pumps.”

Dan Hampson, Kier’s Construction Manager, said “We’re pleased to be working with Kimpton in North Wales once again. Kier are focused on delivering social value and supporting local economic spend. With Kimpton’s strong links to the Welsh economy a substantial amount of the supply chain on this project will be made up of North Wales SME’s directly supporting the local economy.”

To find out more about RAF Valley please visit https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/stations/raf-valley/