Hangar Availability Poll

[BillL]

Hangars seem to be short on VAF and other forums. This poll is to see if it is isolated or widespread. The question is why? Is there no profit in new hangar space or is the market demand projected to decline along with airport revenue.

I waited for nearly 4 years and it has been 3 since and no hangars have come open. There are some 50 yr old with dirt floors, but not a concrete floor and individually enclosed.

I found an interesting area for relocation and was told the hangar availability was 5 yrs. That might be half my remaining flying life.

[Robin8er]

No waitlist, but only 1 hanger available. Its also in a pretty remote place not near any major airport.

Seems like if you live near any major city then that's when hangers are a problem.

[Brdog42]

I think the recent person on our waiting list who got one had been on the waiting list since 2003.

One person just bought a private T-Hangar for $400,000. Size for one airplane only.

[6ato14a]

Around here it doesn't make economic sense to build a hangar. Our local bureaucrats have made the process so onerous that it takes a year to get a permit. Once it is built you can rent it for about half of what the same space would rent for to a tradesman running a welding, plumbing, electrical etc shop. Investors go for the best return on investment. You also don?t have to put up with FAA and local bureaucrats telling you what you can do in the space. If you happen to be where there is an airport authority, someone that actually likes the airport, it often times makes a big difference. Many small airports in Iowa,Nebraska kansas have cheap hangars but who wants to live there.

[n18pf]

Originally Posted by 6ato14a

Many small airports in Iowa,Nebraska kansas have cheap hangars but who wants to live there.

I do! Wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

[RV8JD]

Originally Posted by 6ato14a

If you happen to be where there is an airport authority, someone that actually likes the airport, it often times makes a big difference.

Agree. Airplane-friendly airport management and city/county officials that will allow developers (or individuals) to build hangars without too much red tape is key. Many airports have management staff that are averse to allowing development. Same goes for cities and counties where the airport resides.

[Kyle Boatright]

Originally Posted by BillL

Hangars seem to be short on VAF and other forums. This poll is to see if it is isolated or widespread. The question is why? Is there no profit in new hangar space or is the market demand projected to decline along with airport revenue.

One issue is the population migration to urban areas. That has placed a huge demand on urban airports. When I was a kid, the airports in the Atlanta area had plenty of available space. Now, you've gotta go 20 miles outside the city to find an airport with available real estate.

Another pressure is real estate - there is always the goal of converting that nice flat space to a mall or a housing development. That's happened to lots of urban airports. On top of that, you have the gravitation of FBO's towards the kerosene crowd.

So old T-hangars are being torn down for housing developments and for conversion to corporate hangars, which are more profitable for everyone. And leave people like us out in the cold...

[vlittle]

I am involved in a 15 unit hangar development at Victoria International (CYYJ). The airport authority has rolled out the red carpet for us and making the process painless.

They have come around to the opinion that the lifeblood of an airport is airplanes! I met with the former VP of operations who was not an airplane guy and didn't 'get it'. The new administration is a breath of fresh air.

V

[Desert Rat]

Originally Posted by 6ato14a

......Many small airports in Iowa,Nebraska kansas have cheap hangars but who wants to live there.

People who make their living building airplanes

[OKAV8r]

You need a consortium of like-minded investors that will put up the capital, even though the return is marginal, because they like airplanes too...