Now that the real estate market is softening we are seeing home price reductions. Unfortunately every time something of interest comes up I call all the nearby airports and same story - there are no hangars to be found. Decided to flip it around and look for hangar first and home second and cannot find anything out there. How can that be - I never had a problem finding hangar space over the past 20 years and back then there was a heck of a lot more GA activity.
So then decided to look into building a hangar and that $100K box hangar is now $200K and takes 6+ mos to build. And, although I have only called a few airports, here is what I am getting now - all the land allocated for hangar leases are taken.

Where I am in western Colorado, it’s the same story. I waited almost a year to get covered space, then two more years before a hangar came up for sale. Even then the only reason I got it was by knowing the right people.

Same here, all land on our airport is currently under lease. They’re developing more lease space, but there’s a wait list on that.

I too lucked out when I got here…was told by a friend that that T hangar right over there is going to be for sale, here’s the guy’s number. Wish I’d built another back then.

Much of the “general aviation” hangars being built here house jets, and maybe a Carbon cub…..

Good luck.

MTV

Unpossible here in the front range of Colorado. However, hangars are readily available in west texas - KELP. $110/month including electricity. Quite a nice airport actually. They even have plane wash bays complete with coin operated pressure washer wands. I probably shouldn't be telling people about it - but dang it's a sweet deal. I might go get a second one and plan to build a super cub down there over the winter.

Here at FFZ the name of the game is jobs jobs jobs. The city doesn't want to waste their land on 4 T-hangars for retirees to house their toys when that same land could house a shop/flight school/corporate flight department with several employees. Also, they're big on private jets because they think it will lead to more corporate investment in the area.

The long-term plan is to tear down a row of city T-hangars to build a jet-sized taxiway.

I think hangar space is tight everywhere now - not just in the Western United States. If I ever move, I will need to buy a hangar or secure a rental first - then look for housing. I do believe if you get hooked into the local community a hangar can be found. My friend found hangar space at KCRQ which has always been tough but he has some great connections in the community. Plus it doesn't hurt that it is an interesting airplane. An SV10 moto-glider.



Josh

My recollection as a teenage airport bum in the '70s was that the majority of planes were parked outside.

It has actually taken closer to five years for my uncle to get a hangar built at an airport with a lot of unused space.

Four to negotiate with the airport manager, work with a builder, pull permits, have the lot surveyed (including moving an imaginary lot line on a flat gravel area). Construction finally started about two months ago.

There have been some mistakes made and the doors were left unsecured against wind recently by the contractor doing the gravel.

There is some damage because of that. Now it looks like there has been a miscalculation between the existing ramp and the intended slab height.

It's been quite the experience.

Where are you looking in Nor Cal?

Lucky wrote:Where are you looking in Nor Cal?

In Northern California you can get a hangar anywhere you want, pretty much. All of these public airports have city or county-owned hangars they rent out. Bay Area, up and down the Central Valley, etc. As soon as you leave here and get to OR, NV, ID, etc. - forget it. If you are asking where we are trying to move to, we have looked everywhere from AR to Eastern OR and all places in between.

C180_guy wrote:

Lucky wrote:Where are you looking in Nor Cal?

In Northern California you can get a hangar anywhere you want, pretty much. All of these public airports have city or county-owned hangars they rent out. Bay Area, up and down the Central Valley, etc. As soon as you leave here and get to OR, NV, ID, etc. - forget it. If you are asking where we are trying to move to, we have looked everywhere from AR to Eastern OR and all places in between.

I’m guessing that your criteria excludes small towns? Lots of small towns out there with friendly airports.

MTV

Fun info on hangar development:
My experience as President of the Airport Advisory Board (AAB) , Astronaut Kent Rominger Airport, Del Norte, CO (KRCV).
We have been adding hangar sites as fast as we can and we currently have 8 on the waiting list. 30 hangars in the past 15 years.
With the bureaucracy as it is, it takes a full year to get another set of lots available for lease.
The process: The AAB advises the County Administrator (CA), that more lots are needed. The CA then takes a month to prepare for the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). CA then meets with BOCC, which, of course, asks for more info. CA then takes a month to approach the Airport Manager, who then refers it to the AAB. Another month gone by. You see where I am going.
So, here is what happened in the past year: $80K Jet A system finally purchased at $190K
The 300 foot taxiway we need for one set of hangar lots was quoted at $91K one year ago, $241K quoted last week.
All suppliers now guaranteeing quotes for only 24 hours
Electrical service install for 24 hangars: A year ago $31k, per our local Rural Electrical CO-OP.
As of two months ago, the REC refused to do a quote. 7 transformers needed, their supplier says they are at least 60 weeks out. Transformers come from Mexico.
So, there we are. Surveyed and platted for 24 new hangars and no way to do it
Luckily, I take solace in my Gov't and news media telling me the inflation rate is only 8.9%. Otherwise I could not sleep:)
Oh yeah, Jet A: 8000 gallons wholesale early last year $15K. Now $35K. Gonna be awesome to have an empty tank to look at.
Luckily those were American Rescue Plan Funds so no financial loss to the County. Thanks American Taxpayers!!
Sorry, starting to loose it.
Tom

mtv wrote:I’m guessing that your criteria excludes small towns? Lots of small towns out there with friendly airports.

MTV

On the contrary - we desire rural or semi-rural. Not a city boy here. You are correct - lots of awesome small town airports, just no hangar space.

I’m at Cable Airport in So Cal. It was a challenge to get my hangar a year and a half ago. They were using the airport for storage in many cases. They have been on a witch hunt lately evicting hangar tenants without aircraft and dead project planes. It’s been getting busy lately.

skyward II wrote:I’m at Cable Airport in So Cal. It was a challenge to get my hangar a year and a half ago. They were using the airport for storage in many cases. They have been on a witch hunt lately evicting hangar tenants without aircraft and dead project planes. It’s been getting busy lately.

^^^ This - I wonder how many hangars nationwide would be freed up if every airport verified their hangars were being used for airworthy airplanes instead of being used for a storage unit.

Alternatively, a guy moves 30 airplane minutes away from a big city (almost any one). Land is stupid cheap, builds a hangar, perhaps a casita, and carries on...

Why doesn't this happen more often? because we are fat, spoiled and unhappy.... if it doesn't happen the instant we press 'End' or 'Send' it isn't real...

Life is really about perspective.

Take care, Rob

As of a few months ago, the waiting list at KHCR was at 251, yes you read that correct… Two Hundred Fifty One

Rob wrote:Alternatively, a guy moves 30 airplane minutes away from a big city (almost any one). Land is stupid cheap, builds a hangar, perhaps a casita, and carries on...

Why doesn't this happen more often? because we are fat, spoiled and unhappy.... if it doesn't happen the instant we press 'End' or 'Send' it isn't real...

Life is really about perspective.

Take care, Rob

This is my plan down the road. Looking forward to walking out my back door and walking 50-80 ft to my shop.

I have nothing to complain about though. My dad and I walked in to a deal on 2 hangars at our little airport 11 yrs ago. If I ever sell them, it'll pay for the new place based on what they are selling for today. They might just become my kids problem though.

Lots of airport land available for lease where I am here in SE AK. Probably some hangar space also. Private home lots are plentiful and cheap. It’s just that we get 90” + of rain a year so that pretty well limits the customer base. On the positive side I haven’t locked my doors in 26 years here.

Utah-Jay wrote:As of a few months ago, the waiting list at KHCR was at 251, yes you read that correct… Two Hundred Fifty One

That sounds about right for the speed Heber City is growing. Can’t believe how fast it’s changed there in such a short period of time.

Now the challenge is to find one near my summer home in Star Valley (Etna), Wy.

C180_guy wrote:

skyward II wrote:I’m at Cable Airport in So Cal. It was a challenge to get my hangar a year and a half ago. They were using the airport for storage in many cases. They have been on a witch hunt lately evicting hangar tenants without aircraft and dead project planes. It’s been getting busy lately.

^^^ This - I wonder how many hangars nationwide would be freed up if every airport verified their hangars were being used for airworthy airplanes instead of being used for a storage unit.

This should be the case at all FAA funded airports.
I believe aeronautcial use of hangars is part of the Grant Reassurement agreement the airport has to sign when they get funding.
It's also required by FAA policy statement.

After years of me bitching about it, my airport cracked down earlier this year that all hangars (both airport-owned & private)
had to be used for aircraft storage.
Several were being used for motorhome & boat storage,
or just for storing household junk.
The airport itself was one of the worst offenders with their rental hangars.
I was really glad to see them finally crack down.
As a result, a number of renters vacated their hangars,
and several hangars were put up for sale by non-compliant owners.