Metal hangars are used in the storage of airplanes across the world. Have you ever noticed that they are often made of steel? Airports use metal hangars because of several advantages including sturdiness, ability to house massive airplanes in wide open spaces and low maintenance to name a few. There are many considerations that need to be accounted for when planning your metal hangar.

Choosing The Best Hangar Door

Height

How tall should my hangar door(s) be? Your hangar door size can be determined by the wingspan and tail height of the plane. It’s important to have the size of the door be your first focus.

Bi-fold, Hydraulic, Pocket and Slider Doors

The reason for building a metal hangar is to provide the proper storage of your aircraft, so the building must be designed around the type of door. There are four basic type of doors: bifold, hydraulic, pocket and slider doors. Which door is better? Each door has its advantages, so the choice is ultimately yours.

• Bi-fold doors lift upward and out. When closed, the bi-fold door lies flat. Because the bi-fold door folds in half and requires less swing, it saves you space.
• Hydraulic doors, as their name suggests, require the use of hydraulics and swings outward. Remember that because a hydraulic door swings outward, you must have the area in front of the door clear of all objects, vehicles and people.
• Pocket and slider doors open in a horizontal direction and will require a pocket or a lean-to beyond the width of the end wall. They are generally used on larger hangars that a typical major airliner or military aviation base would house.

Consider that the type of door chosen can greatly affect the cost of the building. The type of door also determines how the building will then be designed. You will need the proper specs on the door to properly design and estimate the building.

Designing the Hangar

The hangar

After you’ve determined the door(s), the types of aircraft(s) that will be housed in your metal hangar is next to consider. You will need to account for the size of each aircraft as well as any machinery or tools you plan to store in the hangar. What’s the building’s purpose? Will maintenance, avionics and other activities be performed on site? Different activities require different spatial allotments. You will need to allot for room if you plan to turn the plane inside of the hangar. Also, plan for office space along with washrooms, lounges and potential overnight spaces. Accounting for everything that will take place inside the metal hangar will save you valuable time and space!

Building Proximity and Other Requirements

Oftentimes overlooked items end up costing the most. Plan for the hangars’ electrical, mechanical, air-conditioning equipment, fire-protection and fuel storage ahead of time. Make sure the building is near an electrical line if you plan to have electricity. If your metal hangar will have washrooms, consider plumbing that needs to be addressed before the foundation is even poured. Save yourself the headache and costs by identifying all the parts of your metal hangar.

For assistance with beginning the planning of your metal hangar, contact a Heritage Project Consultant today!