I’m number 225 on the list for a hanger at PRC (Prescott,AZ) and not holding my breath. Has anyone seen/used/heard about Instant Trussed Hangers for Airfields? http://coveritshelters.com/commercial/com_aircraft_airfield.html. Looks like a better alternative to air to protect our planes against the elements. I’ll bring to the attention of the airport manager, but assume the city will have something against it.
I’ve been to some airports where they some pilots use something similar. Anyone else have any ideas on alternatives to non-available hangers?
The point Walt raises is part of a larger issue. It seems that at so many airports around the country, there is simply not sufficient hangar space available to meet the demand.
In my metropolitan area there are 3 primary general aviation airports, and all three of them have long waiting lists for hangar space.
Also in all three cases, there is space available to construct additional T hangars, yet whenever I talk to the airport managers and tell them I would be happy to finance and construct hangars on the available space, I always get negative responses with reasons that reflect essentially bureaucratic “do nothing” inertia and ludicrous business savvy.
Any ideas how to overcome this problem? For those who’ve had success, what’s the secret?
I hate to sound picky, but the following are the definitions of “hangar” and “hanger”
han·gar (hngr, hnggr)
n.
A shelter especially for housing or repairing aircraft.
(French, from Old French hangard, of Germanic origin. See tkei- in Indo-European Roots.)
hang·er (hngr)
n.
One who hangs something: a house painter who also works as a paperhanger.
A contrivance to which something hangs or by which something is hung, as:
A device around which a garment is draped for hanging from a hook or rod.
A loop or strap by which something is hung.
A bracket on the spring shackle of a motor vehicle, designed to hold it to the chassis.
A decorative strip of cloth hung on a garment or wall.
A short sword that may be hung from a belt.
Same feeling here in San Jose, California. KSJC, KRHV, KPAO no hangar space for years. Hundreds of plane owners willing to spend money to house their plane and a potentially great source of income for the airport/county. The airport does not want the opportunity to make the money and furthermore opposes any private initiatives. Any suggestions?
I got so frustrated with the lack of hangar space at my airport, I am in the process of creating my own ten unit “t” hangar. The project is almost completed and I have a waiting list as the space is sold out. We negotiated an option for ten more units at the same location and I am working on getting them built. The airport authority was so impressed they have invited me to build 10/20 more units at another bigger airport.
However, it has been a very, very, very difficult process. I have become a bit of an expert on building these things and negotiating with all the powers to be. I have also secured the hangarkeepers insurance (not cheap) and negotiated an 86 page, 20 year Operating Agreement with the local authority. (That’s not a typo… eighty six pages! I told you it is not easy!)
If anyone is interested in pursuing a project like this and has some financial backing, I would be interested in speaking with them about building and/or managing units at their local airport. We created a company to do this as a business and we have the expertise and a track record.
For those do it yourself folks out there, you will be told ‘no’ a hundred times. It is a “political” game in every community. However, the need is there and the investment can have very good returns.
Pete,
Show them there is something in it for them like:
Offer to share the profits from resales of the hangars. When a hangar owner sells his hangar, he gives th airport 1/3 of his profit.
Offer to pay the airport a nominal ground lease for the property the hangar sits on, like half the ouside tie down rate at the same airport.
This increases the number of ‘airport residents’ and will increase commerce (tax generation) through fuel sales, maintenance with local FBO, etc. It may enhance the airport’s ability to get federal funding through more aircraft movements.
Offer to have all hangar plans pre-approved by the airport commission and agree to set-up an owner’s association supported by dues that maintain the appearance of the hangars.
For all of this, tell them you want a deeded hangar with a 99 year ground lease that is renewable, and you don’t ever have to give the hangar to them. It is yours, like a condo.
I know this works, some guys at our airport did it, I bought one. Lovin’ it.
Pete,
There are 2 problems I have found building hangers and I know this first hand.
The first problem starts with the Airport Manager; in every case, your proposal would require them “WORK”. They would have to write reports and recommendations regarding your request, attend meeting on the subject and require additional management on their part. Remember that empty land requires no management.
Sadly, the other problem is “Protection of turf and good olÂ’ boys” who have existing hangers. Remember that these Airport Managers have become friends with the present hanger owners. Those guys see you as taking revenue from them. It does not matter that their hangers will likely stay full, but your new hangers will be better than theirs will and they are likely to lobby very hard against you. It is very political and these hanger owners have been donating money to the local guys for years.