It’s been one year since we kicked off our Aviation service line. Since then, we’ve added new people and taken on some great airport projects around the Southeast.

Our aviation crew has decades of experience between them. We handle airport planning, environmental, design, and construction from start to finish.

Here is who’s doing the work.

Chad Smith – Aviation Practice Leader

Chad Smith brings nearly 30 years of engineering experience, with over two decades dedicated specifically to airport projects. He started in highway design. In 2001, he switched over to aviation. Chad has worked on everything from constructing a new airport to runway extensions, parallel taxiways, automated weather systems, airfield lighting, NAVAIDs, aviation fueling systems, hangars, and aprons.

Chad interacts with clients and makes sure the planning, design, and construction all stay on track. He knows how to get a project from start to finish while keeping the client satisfied and compliant with regulatory agencies.

Education: B.S. Civil Engineering, Tennessee Technological University
PE Licenses: Kentucky, Tennessee

Salil Paily – Aviation Project Manager

Salil Paily has more than 20 years of engineering experience, with 17 of those years in aviation. He works out of our Brentwood, Tennessee office. He designs and manages aviation projects like runway and taxiway rehab, apron work, and hangars.

Salil knows how to run a project from start to finish. Big or small, he’s done it.

Education: B.S. Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tennessee Technological University
PE Licenses: Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama

Tony Oliva – Senior Aviation Planner

Tony Oliva grew up around airplanes. He owns a 1946 Luscombe and lives in a flying community. He started out running airport operations. Then, he moved into planning and managing projects across Tennessee and Kentucky.

Tony focuses on planning for airports including airport layout plans (ALPs), airspace studies, environmental work, and AGIS surveys. He knows how to map out what’s next for an airport and make sure it works.

Education: B.S. Aerospace Administration, Middle Tennessee State University

We’re Your Partner in Airport Planning, Design, and Construction

We know airports. Our team covers everything from planning, environmental, design to construction.

Here’s what we do:

• Master Planning & ALPs – Long-term airport development and layout planning
• Conceptual & Preliminary Design – Early sketches, ideas, costs, and timelines
• Detailed Design & Engineering – Runways, hangars, utilities, terminals, and more
• Environmental Services – NEPA environmental documentation and compliance
• Regulatory & Safety Compliance – Ensuring everything meets FAA standards
• Project Management & Construction Oversight – Keeping things moving and done right
• Maintenance Planning & Upgrades – Plans and designs to keep your airport running smoothly

Big or small, we bring experience, attention to detail, and solid communication.

In the Works: Airport Projects Across Kentucky

• Engineering construction services for a 3-unit box hangar and concrete apron at the Mayfield-Graves County Airport
  Expected completion: June 2025
• Engineering construction services for a 3-unit box hangar, asphalt apron, and retaining wall at the Marion-Crittenden County James C. Johnson Regional Airport
  Expected completion: November 2025
• Engineering construction services for an entrance road relocation project at the Stuart Powell Field Airport in Danville, KY
  Status: Substantially complete
• Design and construction services for a taxiway fillet widening project at the Murray-Calloway County Airport
  Expected completion: June 2025
• Environmental and design services for a 90’x90’ hangar with rotating floor and concrete apron expansion at the Gene Snyder Airport in Falmouth, KY
  Expected completion: 2025
• Environmental, design, and construction services for a 109’x97’ corporate hangar at the Stuart Powell Field Airport in Danville, KY
  Construction begins: June 2025
• Environmental and design services for a partial runway reconstruction and obstruction clearing project at the Mayfield-Graves County Airport
  Design completion: Late 2025, with bidding in spring 2026
• Environmental and design services for a T-hangar with jet pod and asphalt apron at the Murray-Calloway County Airport
  Design completion: Late 2025, with bidding in spring 2026

Where We’re Headed

We’re just getting started. Year two is already shaping up to be bigger. Chad, Salil, Tony, and the rest of the team are ready for what’s next.

If your airport needs a hand with planning, design, or construction services, we’re here for it.