When you enter the market for a hangar, the first question you ask—other than the airport location, perhaps—is “Will it fit my airplane?”
Many existing T-hangars at municipal airports across the U.S. measure 40 x 30, or even a bit less, depending on when they were built and into what area on the airport they fit. For lots of piston singles—both certified and experimental—such as the Van’s RV series, CubCrafters Carbon Cubs, Piper Cherokees, and Cessna 152s and 172s, that’s sufficient.
But move up the chain in terms of power and performance, and it’s a different story. For a new airplane, like a Cirrus SR Series, with a wingspan of 38 feet 4 inches and a length of 26 feet, or the Cessna Skylane, at 29 feet in length and 36 feet in wingspan, that’s almost enough—and may not be comfortable for those owners who wish to fit more than just an airplane in their hangar.
Turboprops take up even more width and length, such as the Daher TBM 960, at 42.1 feet wingspan and 35.22 feet length, and a tail height of 14.29 feet. Likewise, a Kodiak 100 measures 45 feet in wingspan, and a Pilatus PC-12 is 47.3 feet long, with a wingspan of 53 feet 5 inches and a tail height of 14 feet.
That’s why 60 by 60 is such a popular size in new hangar construction, as Kenny Hinkes, CEO of High Flying Hangars has determined in years of research and development. “We have found that, for most prospective owners, they want to plan not only for the aircraft they have currently, but also the one that they intend to purchase in the next two to five years,” says Kenny. “Investing for that plan makes a lot of financial and logistical sense.”
Tail height also warrants additional consideration. “Many of the owners we are working with have asked for a taller door than is typical for a 60 by 60 hangar to accommodate a Citation Jet or Phenom 300,” says Lisa deFrees, senior vice president of sales and marketing for High Flying Hangars. As a result, HFH recently decided to increase the standard door height on 60 x 60 hangars to an 18 foot 6 inch clear opening. “We did a thorough analysis of exterior aircraft dimensions. This upgrade will further guarantee our hangars can accommodate any aircraft that would comfortably fit within a 60-foot-wide hangar with more ‘wiggle room,’ which we all know can be invaluable when maneuvering an airplane into its home,” adds Lisa.
For those who own light jets, such as an Embraer Phenom 300, Cirrus Vision Jet, or Cessna Citation CJ Series, going beyond 60 by 60 to 80 by 80 or up to as big as 120 by 120 makes sense, especially with more than one aircraft in their personal fleet. Hangar dimensions such as those will be offered at future High Flying Hangar developments, depending on the overall layout and acreage of the airport plat.
Decking Out Your Halls
Though some airports have restrictions on what can be stored in a hangar—whether leased or owned—others allow for more flexibility, and this is one area where High Flying Hangars is working in advance for its clients. If there is an opportunity to update those covenants before the lease is signed on the land underlying the development’s footprint, HFH makes that part of the negotiation. That offers its owners more options down the road. Many pilots also have luxury or classic cars, custom motorcycles, RVs, and motorcoaches that they would appreciate storing alongside their aircraft for a number of reasons.
Also, larger dimensions let the owner build in more personal space inside the hangar, for preflight planning or lounging afterward, perhaps even showering or fixing a snack. A lot of pilots also enjoy working on their airplanes, or offering the possibility of performing maintenance in situ by their favorite aircraft technician. With the right planning, a workshop area can be positioned within the space to accommodate both options.
With natural gaps left by the cross-shaped planform of most airplanes, many possibilities open up within the box style hangars built by HFH. And if your aircraft has a rotor instead of fixed wings, even more potential layouts become possible.
Clearly, planning for your hangar’s dimensions involves more than just knowing your airplane’s length, height, and wingspan. Talk with the HFH team to think through your dreams… and make sure the hangar you invest in is the right size to fit them all.
Photo courtesy of Bill Lemon, KAEG hangar.
