Commissioning for Performance: Early Site Walk at Signature Aviation’s New Bozeman Terminal and Hangar

Our team recently traveled to Bozeman, Montana to conduct an early-phase site walk for the new Signature Aviation terminal and hangar project, where Thompson Engineering is providing Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) commissioning services. Signature Aviation’s facilities serve business aviation travelers, private aircraft owners, corporate flight departments, and flight crews who expect a premium experience from the moment they arrive. Behind the scenes, that experience depends on highly reliable mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems that maintain comfort, safety, and uninterrupted operations regardless of weather conditions, including the harsh Montana winters experienced in Bozeman.

While commissioning is often associated with the final stages of construction, the most successful projects begin the process much earlier. Early involvement allows commissioning professionals to review installation progress, coordinate with project teams, identify potential concerns before they become costly issues, and ensure that systems are being installed in accordance with the design intent.

Why Commissioning Matters

Commissioning is a quality-focused process that verifies building systems are designed, installed, tested, and capable of operating as intended. The goal is simple: deliver a facility that is safe, efficient, reliable, and ready to perform from day one.
For aviation facilities, where operational continuity and occupant comfort are critical, commissioning provides an additional layer of assurance that building systems will function properly under a variety of operating conditions.

Unique Challenges in Bozeman’s Climate

Let’s just say Bozeman winters are a great reminder that building systems matter and Montana’s winters don’t leave too much room for error. Extended periods of subfreezing temperatures, snow, and high winds can place significant demands on mechanical, electrical, and plumbing infrastructure.

Temperatures can drop so low that terminal door tracks can freeze, preventing large aircraft doors from operating as intended. Imagine arriving at an elite private aviation terminal only to discover an aircraft can’t be moved because a critical door is frozen shut. Or consider the consequences of a heating system failure inside a hangar housing millions of dollars’ worth of aircrafts. In the world of private aviation, reliability isn’t just a convenience, it’s an expectation. That’s why commissioning is so important. We help verify that critical mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems are designed, installed, and operating properly to support safe, reliable operations, even during Montana’s harshest winter conditions.

Outside of the harsh weather, Bozeman is also a competitive market where private aviation customers can choose between multiple fixed-base operators, including Jet Aviation and Million Air, so every detail matters. By helping ensure Signature Aviation’s facility operates reliably, efficiently, and comfortably in all seasons, we support their mission of delivering the exceptional experience that makes them the preferred choice for pilots, passengers, and flight crews in Bozeman.

While we are only in the early stages of commissioning review, some of the commissioning activities we will focus particular attention to as the project progresses are:

Mechanical Systems

• Heating plant performance and capacity
• Air handling unit installation and operation
• Freeze protection strategies for coils and piping
• Building automation and control sequences
• Ventilation performance and indoor air quality
• Equipment access and maintainability

Electrical Systems

• Emergency and standby power systems
• Generator integration and testing requirements
• Electrical distribution equipment installation
• Control system coordination
• Lighting controls and energy efficiency measures
• Critical equipment power reliability

Plumbing Systems

• Freeze protection for domestic water piping
• Heat tracing and insulation verification
• Water heater and recirculation systems
• Storm and sanitary drainage systems
• Backflow prevention and water quality considerations
• System accessibility for maintenance and service

The Value of Early-Phase Site Walks

By conducting site observations early in construction, commissioning teams can identify concerns before systems are enclosed, energized, or placed into operation. This proactive approach reduces rework, improves coordination among trades, and helps keep projects on schedule.

For owners, the result is greater confidence that their investment will operate efficiently, provide a positive occupant experience, and achieve the performance goals established during design.

Looking Ahead

We are excited to continue supporting Signature Aviation throughout the commissioning process and look forward to helping deliver a facility that performs reliably in one of the region’s most demanding, yet beautiful climates.

At Thompson Engineering, our commissioning services extend beyond final testing, we work alongside owners, architects, contractors, and design teams throughout the project lifecycle to help ensure every building system performs as intended.